Dossier: Sport after childbirth

Sport after childbirth

Katharina Quack Lötscher, the doctor who heads the PEBS* (healthy mums and kids) project, explains what you need to know when you want to start sport again after childbirth.

At what point can you go jogging with your baby in a stroller? On what type of surface?

Here, too, you should avoid being too extreme. Walking pace on even ground definitely shouldn’t be a problem for your baby. From the age of three months it can hold its head itself, which leads to the stabilisation of the back muscles. From that point uneven ground should also be less of a problem.

*Advice on preventive nutritional and exercise during pregnancy up to a year after birth

What’s the quickest way of getting rid of the excess pounds after childbirth?

The body puts by certain reserves of fat for breastfeeding, and there’s no need to do intensive treatments or overexercise to get back to your normal weight as quickly as possible. Breaking down fat can be a problem, especially when you’re breastfeeding, as the fat is also where toxins are stored. If it gets broken down very quickly these toxins can be released and get into the child’s milk. You’re on track if you lose around 500 grams a week. That shouldn’t be a problem with regular exercise and the right diet.

At what point can you go jogging with your baby in a stroller? On what type of surface?

Here, too, you should avoid being too extreme. Walking pace on even ground definitely shouldn’t be a problem for your baby. From the age of three months it can hold its head itself, which leads to the stabilisation of the back muscles. From that point uneven ground should also be less of a problem.

*Advice on preventive nutritional and exercise during pregnancy up to a year after birth

Katharina Quack Lötscher

Doctor and president of PEBS (preventive nutrition and exercisecounselling during pregnancy and up to a year after birth)

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