âčïž Skipped - page is already crawled
| Filter | Status | Condition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP status | PASS | download_http_code = 200 | HTTP 200 |
| Age cutoff | PASS | download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH | 0.4 months ago |
| History drop | PASS | isNull(history_drop_reason) | No drop reason |
| Spam/ban | PASS | fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0 | ml_spam_score=0 |
| Canonical | PASS | meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed | Not set |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URL | https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/5-postnatal-exercises-to-lose-the-baby-weight |
| Last Crawled | 2026-04-01 14:11:34 (12 days ago) |
| First Indexed | 2023-03-30 10:59:46 (3 years ago) |
| HTTP Status Code | 200 |
| Meta Title | 5 exercises for new moms to strengthen and tone postpartum |
| Meta Description | Pregnancy may seem like a great time to put your feet up and relax, but regular exercise before, during and after pregnancy has great benefits for you... |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | Pregnancy may seem like a great time to put your feet up and relax, but regular exercise before, during and after pregnancy has great benefits for you and your baby. And the
benefits of exercise
donât stop after deliveryâwomen who exercise while pregnant are more successful in reaching their pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth.
Is exercise safe postpartum?
If you had a healthy pregnancy and expected vaginal delivery, itâs usually
safe to exercise
as soon as you feel ready. If there were complications or you had a cesarean birth, ask your OBGYN when itâs safe to exercise.
Exercise has the following benefits for postpartum women:
Helps strengthen and tone abdominal muscles
Boosts energy
Promotes better sleep
May help prevent postpartum depression
As your body continues to heal, especially if you are breastfeeding, make sure that you are nourishing your body with nutrient-dense foods. Breastfeeding combined with a highly restrictive diet is not healthy for mom or baby. Breast milk production will come first, and your body will sacrifice its lean muscle tissue for the task if it is not getting enough food to fuel production. A reduction in lean muscle tissue decreases your metabolism, leaving you feeling even more tired and sluggish.
5 strengthening exercises for new moms
Strength training is one of the most effective ways to regain strength and muscle tone after pregnancy. Try these exercises below.
1. Glute Bridges
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Rest your arms by your side, palms down.
Tighten your abs. Tuck your pelvis so your low back is flat against the floor.
Squeeze your bottom tight as you lift your hips off the ground.
Give an extra squeeze with your glutes at the top of the movement, then slowly lower back to the floor.
Repeat for a set of 25.
2. Clamshells
Lie on your side, with your legs stacked and knees bent at a 45-degree angle.
Keep your feet together and without rocking backward, slowly raise your upper knee as high as possible without shifting your hips or pelvis or moving your lower leg. Your legs will look like an open clamshell.
Return the top leg to the starting closed position.
Repeat for a set of 25.
3.
Squats
Stand with hips shoulder-width apart. Begin the movement by pushing the hips back as if you will sit back into a chair.
Bend the knees and lower down into a squat position. You should work to maintain a tall spine and proud chest as you lower down.
Push through the feet, straighten the knees and squeeze the glutes to return to standing.
Repeat for a set of 25.
4. Scapular wall slides
This exercise is great to open the chest and correct the rounded shoulder posture that many new mothers assume from cradling babies.
Stand with your back against the wall and feet about a foot away from the wall. You will be leaning back into the wall.
Tighten your abdominals and flatten your low back against the wall. Tuck your chin so that the back of your head is against the wall.
Bring the arms up against the wall in the shape of a field goal post. Slide the arms up the wall diagonally, forming a âVâ with the arms.
Draw the shoulder blades and drive the elbows towards your hip pockets, forming a âWâ with the arms.
Do not let the low back arch as you drive the elbows.
Repeat for a set of 15 to 20.
5. Plank
Begin by lying on your stomach on the floor. Position yourself on your forearms with your elbows under your shoulders and your legs extended straight.
Lift your body off of the floor, onto your forearms and toes.
Squeeze your glutes and tighten your abs.
Engage your leg muscles, tuck your chin and keep your back flat to create a straight, strong line from head to toes.
Hold that position.
Slowly lower to the floor.
Try to hold your plank for 10 to 15 seconds and progress to longer.
For all of these exercises, try and rest as little as possible between each, but give yourself some grace, too. Start out doing one set of each exercise to performing two, and then three sets each. Thereâs no equipment required and you can easily fit these into your daily routine while your baby naps.
Be sure to share any concerns, fears or questions about pregnancy with your doctor.
Donât have an OBGYN you can trust?Â
Find an OBGYN near you
. |
| Markdown | [](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog)
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/)
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/)
Log in
Doctors & specialists
Locations
Services & treatments
Resources
Financial services
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/)
- Home
- Health Topics
- Wellness
- Healthy Living
- Inside Baylor Scott & White
Home
Health Topics
Wellness
Healthy Living
Inside Baylor Scott & White
Close
Back
Need help?[Chat with us](https://www.bswhealth.com/contact-us#chat-online)
Close
Back
- Home
- Health Topics
- Wellness
- Healthy Living
- Inside Baylor Scott & White
Home
Health Topics
Wellness
Healthy Living
Inside Baylor Scott & White
Close
Back

Subscribe
1. [Home](https://www.bswhealth.com/)
2. /[Blog](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog)
3. /[Healthy living](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living)
4. /[Pregnancy](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/pregnancy)
5. /5 postnatal exercises to lose the baby weight
# 5 exercises for new moms to strengthen and tone postpartum
[pregnancy](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/pregnancy)/by Baylor Scott & White Health/Dec 12, 2022
[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bswhealth.com%2Fblog%2F5-postnatal-exercises-to-lose-the-baby-weight)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bswhealth.com%2Fblog%2F5-postnatal-exercises-to-lose-the-baby-weight&text=5%20exercises%20for%20new%20moms%20to%20strengthen%20and%20tone%20postpartum)


Pregnancy may seem like a great time to put your feet up and relax, but regular exercise before, during and after pregnancy has great benefits for you and your baby. And the [benefits of exercise](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/mommy-myths-fact-vs-fiction-in-pregnancy) donât stop after deliveryâwomen who exercise while pregnant are more successful in reaching their pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth.
## Is exercise safe postpartum?
If you had a healthy pregnancy and expected vaginal delivery, itâs usually [safe to exercise](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-after-pregnancy) as soon as you feel ready. If there were complications or you had a cesarean birth, ask your OBGYN when itâs safe to exercise.
Exercise has the following benefits for postpartum women:
- Helps strengthen and tone abdominal muscles
- Boosts energy
- Promotes better sleep
- May help prevent postpartum depression
As your body continues to heal, especially if you are breastfeeding, make sure that you are nourishing your body with nutrient-dense foods. Breastfeeding combined with a highly restrictive diet is not healthy for mom or baby. Breast milk production will come first, and your body will sacrifice its lean muscle tissue for the task if it is not getting enough food to fuel production. A reduction in lean muscle tissue decreases your metabolism, leaving you feeling even more tired and sluggish.
## 5 strengthening exercises for new moms
Strength training is one of the most effective ways to regain strength and muscle tone after pregnancy. Try these exercises below.
### **1\. Glute Bridges**
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Rest your arms by your side, palms down.
- Tighten your abs. Tuck your pelvis so your low back is flat against the floor.
- Squeeze your bottom tight as you lift your hips off the ground.
- Give an extra squeeze with your glutes at the top of the movement, then slowly lower back to the floor.
- Repeat for a set of 25.
### **2\. Clamshells**
- Lie on your side, with your legs stacked and knees bent at a 45-degree angle.
- Keep your feet together and without rocking backward, slowly raise your upper knee as high as possible without shifting your hips or pelvis or moving your lower leg. Your legs will look like an open clamshell.
- Return the top leg to the starting closed position.
- Repeat for a set of 25.
### **3\.** **Squats**
- Stand with hips shoulder-width apart. Begin the movement by pushing the hips back as if you will sit back into a chair.
- Bend the knees and lower down into a squat position. You should work to maintain a tall spine and proud chest as you lower down.
- Push through the feet, straighten the knees and squeeze the glutes to return to standing.
- Repeat for a set of 25.
### **4\. Scapular wall slides**
This exercise is great to open the chest and correct the rounded shoulder posture that many new mothers assume from cradling babies.
- Stand with your back against the wall and feet about a foot away from the wall. You will be leaning back into the wall.
- Tighten your abdominals and flatten your low back against the wall. Tuck your chin so that the back of your head is against the wall.
- Bring the arms up against the wall in the shape of a field goal post. Slide the arms up the wall diagonally, forming a âVâ with the arms.
- Draw the shoulder blades and drive the elbows towards your hip pockets, forming a âWâ with the arms.
- Do not let the low back arch as you drive the elbows.
- Repeat for a set of 15 to 20.
### **5\. Plank**
- Begin by lying on your stomach on the floor. Position yourself on your forearms with your elbows under your shoulders and your legs extended straight.
- Lift your body off of the floor, onto your forearms and toes.
- Squeeze your glutes and tighten your abs.
- Engage your leg muscles, tuck your chin and keep your back flat to create a straight, strong line from head to toes.
- Hold that position.
- Slowly lower to the floor.
- Try to hold your plank for 10 to 15 seconds and progress to longer.
For all of these exercises, try and rest as little as possible between each, but give yourself some grace, too. Start out doing one set of each exercise to performing two, and then three sets each. Thereâs no equipment required and you can easily fit these into your daily routine while your baby naps.
Be sure to share any concerns, fears or questions about pregnancy with your doctor.
Donât have an OBGYN you can trust? [Find an OBGYN near you](https://www.bswhealth.com/find-careloc=32.8138752,-96.81960959999999&dist=10&sd=nextavailableappointment&key=obstetrics%20%26%20gynecology&vect=specialty&usesbsw&tab=d#?).
## You may also like
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/getting-mentally-fit-after-baby)
[Getting mentally fit after baby: 7 ways for busy new mothers to prioritize their mental health](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/getting-mentally-fit-after-baby)
Pregnancy
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/4-ways-to-help-prevent-gestational-diabetes)
[How to prevent gestational diabetes: 4 tips for a healthy pregnancy](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/4-ways-to-help-prevent-gestational-diabetes)
Pregnancy
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/high-risk-pregnancy-5-questions-to-ask-your-ob-gyn)
[High-risk pregnancy? 5 questions to ask your OB-GYN](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/high-risk-pregnancy-5-questions-to-ask-your-ob-gyn)
Pregnancy
## More topics to explore
[pregnancy](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/pregnancy)
[childrens-health](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/childrens-health)
[mens-health](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/mens-health)
[womens-health](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/womens-health)

## We make it easy.
Healthcare doesn't have to be difficult. We're constantly finding ways to make it easy so that you can get Better and stay that way.
[Find a Doctor](https://www.bswhealth.com/find-care)

## Better tools make it easier
We all have different healthcare needs. Handle them your way with the MyBSWHealth app. Download the app today and take a hands-on approach to your healthcare.
Text Better to 88408
## Related Articles
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/iui-vs-ivf-which-fertility-treatment-is-right-for-you)
[IUI vs. IVF: Which fertility treatment is right for you?](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/iui-vs-ivf-which-fertility-treatment-is-right-for-you)
If youâre exploring fertility treatment, youâre likely carrying a mix of hope, uncertainty and maybe even grief. Infertility can feel...
[pregnancy](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/pregnancy)
Feb 2, 2026
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/am-i-pregnant-or-is-it-pms)
[PMS vs. pregnancy symptoms: How to tell the difference](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/am-i-pregnant-or-is-it-pms)
Fatigue, cramping and mood swingsâare they signs of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or early pregnancy? If youâre trying to conceive, it...
[pregnancy](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/pregnancy)
Jan 14, 2026
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/mastitis-101)
[Mastitis 101: What to do if you notice these mastitis symptoms](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/mastitis-101)
If youâre breastfeeding, you may have heard about a common condition among nursing mothers called mastitis, or maybe youâre wondering...
[pregnancy](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/healthy-living/pregnancy)
Oct 28, 2025


## Ready for healthcare news to inform you? Advice to empower you? Stories to inspire you?
### Enter your email address below to receive the latest health updates and tips from Baylor Scott & White.
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/)
[](https://www.bswhealth.com/)
### Our Offerings
- [Classes and Events](https://www.bswhealth.com/classes-and-events)
- [Virtual Care](https://www.bswhealth.com/specialties/virtual-care)
- [Doctor Directory](https://www.bswhealth.com/doctors)
- [Location Directory](https://www.bswhealth.com/locations)
- [Specialties Directory](https://www.bswhealth.com/specialties)
- [Treatments and Procedures](https://www.bswhealth.com/treatments-and-procedures)
- [MyBSWHealth Mobile App](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/mybswhealth-patient-portal)
### Tools and Resources
- [Symptom Checker](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/symptom-checker)
- [Pay Your Bill](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/registration-and-billing/pay-your-bill)
- [Medical Records](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/request-copies-of-your-medical-records)
- [Price Transparency](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/registration-and-billing/estimate-your-cost-of-care)
- [Insurance Accepted](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/registration-and-billing/insurance-plans-accepted)
- [Financial Assistance](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/registration-and-billing/financial-assistance)
- [Advance Directives](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/advance-directives)
- [Surgery Pre-Registration](https://www.bswhealth.com/patient-tools/registration-and-billing/pre-registration)
- [Scrubbing In Blog](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog)
### About us
- [Mission Vision and Values](https://www.bswhealth.com/about)
- [Achievements](https://www.bswhealth.com/about/awards)
- [Community Impact](https://www.bswhealth.com/about/community-impact)
- [Quality Alliance](https://www.bswhealth.com/quality-alliance)
- [Newsrooms](https://news.bswhealth.com/en-US)
- [Contact Us](https://www.bswhealth.com/contact-us)
### Get Involved
- [Volunteer](https://www.bswhealth.com/get-involved/become-a-volunteer)
- [Donate](https://www.bswhealth.com/get-involved/ways-to-donate)
- [Give Blood](https://www.bswhealth.com/locations/clinic/temple-blood-center)
### For Medical Professional
- [Refer a Patient](https://www.bswhealth.com/medical-professionals/referrals)
- [Careers](https://jobs.bswhealth.com/)
- [Graduate Medical Education](https://www.bswhealth.com/medical-professionals/education/graduate-medical-education)
- [Allied Health Education](https://www.bswhealth.com/medical-professionals/education/allied-health)
- [Nursing Education](https://www.bswhealth.com/medical-professionals/nursing-institute)
- [Research Areas](https://www.bswhealth.com/research)
- [Clinical Trials](https://www.bswhealth.com/research/clinical-trials)
Download the MyBSWHealth App
[](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mybswhealth/id1000856979 "Apple Store Link")
[](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.baylorscottandwhite.healthsource&hl=en "Google PlayStore Link")
[](https://www.facebook.com/ "Facebook")[](https://www.x.com/ "X")[](https://www.instagram.com/ "Instagram")[](https://www.youtube.com/ "Youtube")[](https://www.pinterest.com/bswhealth "Pinterest")[Español](https://salud.bswhealth.com/)
©2026 Baylor Scott White Health. All Rights Reserved.
- [Terms of Use](https://www.bswhealth.com/privacy-policies-and-patient-rights/site-ownership)
- [Notice of Non-discrimination](https://www.bswhealth.com/privacy-policies-and-patient-rights/notice-of-non-discrimination)
- [Privacy and Patient Rights](https://www.bswhealth.com/privacy-policies-and-patient-rights)
- 301 N. Washington Ave., Dallas, TX 75246
Together with our vendors, we use cookies and similar technologies. These cookies are useful for improving your experience on our site, measuring performance, and gathering audience data. They help us keep in touch with you and provide you with relevant content.
To learn more about how we use data, check out our [digital privacy policy](https://www.bswhealth.com/privacy-policies-and-patient-rights/digital-privacy-policy/).
Manage Cookies
Accept |
| Readable Markdown | Pregnancy may seem like a great time to put your feet up and relax, but regular exercise before, during and after pregnancy has great benefits for you and your baby. And the [benefits of exercise](https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/mommy-myths-fact-vs-fiction-in-pregnancy) donât stop after deliveryâwomen who exercise while pregnant are more successful in reaching their pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth.
## Is exercise safe postpartum?
If you had a healthy pregnancy and expected vaginal delivery, itâs usually [safe to exercise](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-after-pregnancy) as soon as you feel ready. If there were complications or you had a cesarean birth, ask your OBGYN when itâs safe to exercise.
Exercise has the following benefits for postpartum women:
- Helps strengthen and tone abdominal muscles
- Boosts energy
- Promotes better sleep
- May help prevent postpartum depression
As your body continues to heal, especially if you are breastfeeding, make sure that you are nourishing your body with nutrient-dense foods. Breastfeeding combined with a highly restrictive diet is not healthy for mom or baby. Breast milk production will come first, and your body will sacrifice its lean muscle tissue for the task if it is not getting enough food to fuel production. A reduction in lean muscle tissue decreases your metabolism, leaving you feeling even more tired and sluggish.
## 5 strengthening exercises for new moms
Strength training is one of the most effective ways to regain strength and muscle tone after pregnancy. Try these exercises below.
### **1\. Glute Bridges**
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Rest your arms by your side, palms down.
- Tighten your abs. Tuck your pelvis so your low back is flat against the floor.
- Squeeze your bottom tight as you lift your hips off the ground.
- Give an extra squeeze with your glutes at the top of the movement, then slowly lower back to the floor.
- Repeat for a set of 25.
### **2\. Clamshells**
- Lie on your side, with your legs stacked and knees bent at a 45-degree angle.
- Keep your feet together and without rocking backward, slowly raise your upper knee as high as possible without shifting your hips or pelvis or moving your lower leg. Your legs will look like an open clamshell.
- Return the top leg to the starting closed position.
- Repeat for a set of 25.
### **3\.** **Squats**
- Stand with hips shoulder-width apart. Begin the movement by pushing the hips back as if you will sit back into a chair.
- Bend the knees and lower down into a squat position. You should work to maintain a tall spine and proud chest as you lower down.
- Push through the feet, straighten the knees and squeeze the glutes to return to standing.
- Repeat for a set of 25.
### **4\. Scapular wall slides**
This exercise is great to open the chest and correct the rounded shoulder posture that many new mothers assume from cradling babies.
- Stand with your back against the wall and feet about a foot away from the wall. You will be leaning back into the wall.
- Tighten your abdominals and flatten your low back against the wall. Tuck your chin so that the back of your head is against the wall.
- Bring the arms up against the wall in the shape of a field goal post. Slide the arms up the wall diagonally, forming a âVâ with the arms.
- Draw the shoulder blades and drive the elbows towards your hip pockets, forming a âWâ with the arms.
- Do not let the low back arch as you drive the elbows.
- Repeat for a set of 15 to 20.
### **5\. Plank**
- Begin by lying on your stomach on the floor. Position yourself on your forearms with your elbows under your shoulders and your legs extended straight.
- Lift your body off of the floor, onto your forearms and toes.
- Squeeze your glutes and tighten your abs.
- Engage your leg muscles, tuck your chin and keep your back flat to create a straight, strong line from head to toes.
- Hold that position.
- Slowly lower to the floor.
- Try to hold your plank for 10 to 15 seconds and progress to longer.
For all of these exercises, try and rest as little as possible between each, but give yourself some grace, too. Start out doing one set of each exercise to performing two, and then three sets each. Thereâs no equipment required and you can easily fit these into your daily routine while your baby naps.
Be sure to share any concerns, fears or questions about pregnancy with your doctor.
Donât have an OBGYN you can trust? [Find an OBGYN near you](https://www.bswhealth.com/find-careloc=32.8138752,-96.81960959999999&dist=10&sd=nextavailableappointment&key=obstetrics%20%26%20gynecology&vect=specialty&usesbsw&tab=d#?). |
| Shard | 43 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 6603342013069257643 |
| Unparsed URL | com,bswhealth!www,/blog/5-postnatal-exercises-to-lose-the-baby-weight s443 |