Being a mother is a life-altering event. There is no debate on the fact that bringing up a baby is a full time job, one that leaves the mother drained and exhausted, driving her to sometimes ignore her own health too.

There is the dilemma of leaving the child alone and the guilt of taking time off. “I have been putting on weight because I cannot workout, Vivaan keeps me on my toes with his sleeping times and crying, and odd feeding hours”, said Shilpa Shetty in an interview with us.

But there are ways in which the bond between a mother and her child can be strengthened, ways in which a mother can nurse herself back to good health too along with the baby.

With the following tips, mothers can now keep their babies in sight and be with them while exercising or taking time off. Word of caution: One must consult a doctor before indulging in exercise post-pregnancy.

Walk & talk

The one exercise that rejuvenates and clears the head is walking. Pack your baby in a comfortable stroller and ask a friend out and head to the park.With each day, increase the distance and pace and you will work towards fitness. The fresh air will do the baby good too.

Stretch it out

Slow stretching exercises in your room and breathing exercises relax the body. Between changing diapers, sterilizing milk bottles and running around the kid, pull out a mat, and practice some yoga. There are parent baby yoga and Pilate’s classes too and playing and snuggling close to the baby can be a great stress reliever.

Pool time

Check out the local clubs or recreation/community centers. They will certainly have a swimming pool. Dive in with your baby, splash around and enjoy the buoyant mood. Swimming strengthens core muscles, so it can go a long way in helping you get back in shape.

Video burn

Surf the net for interesting home videos on different forms of exercises for mothers and babies. You can even strap the baby on a baby carrier and stretch. Push-ups and pelvic exercises help, but again, only once the doc gives a green signal.