Post-pregnancy runners....

laurakaz13 · September 2011

When did you start running with your baby in the jogging stroller? I know my baby should be 6 months old or so, but when did you feel absolutely comfortable with it.

Also, did your LO like it? For how long woudl they tolerate it? I run 5-7 miles at least five times a week. I don't know if the babe would really like to be out for that long. Any advice? Thanks!

hikerbeth · September 2011

I started at about 6 months with both my kids. They could tolerate fairly long runs until about age 2 (well, DS isn't quite there yet, but DD). At 2 she just wanted to stop at the playground.

diamondcks · September 2011

I didn't move DS out of the car seat in the stroller until he was about 8 months. I probably could have switched him earlier, but I liked him facing me. I felt comfortable running with him in the car seat pretty early on though, we did a 5k at 2 months.

dbadura01 · September 2011

I was running with the infant car seat adapter from 2 weeks PP. He loves to be outside, so he loves it! I moved him into the jogging stroller without the car seat at about 3 - 3 1/2 months, but he had REALLY good head control. I am not a fast runner by any means and 5 miles takes me about an hour. He never fusses during the run and usually just watches the trees go by or sleeps.

What I did do though is always made sure he ate before we left. That way, I knew I wouldn't need to bring a bottle with me in the stroller. I usually just bring a toy for him to play with in the stroller and his pacifier (if he fusses a bit, I'll give it to him and he'll promptly fall asleep.) We would run about 4-5 times a week for about an hour and it went well. I think what's important is starting early so that the baby is used to it and learns to enjoy it from an early age.

Here we are after one of our runs....happy baby!

demmie326 · September 2011

I ran throughout my pregnancy with DD, including the night that my water broke so it is no surprise that DD loves to go running with me. I started with hour long walks two days postpartum and three weeks ago started running five miles a day.....OB approved! As a PP mentioned I use the car seat adapter as DD is not strong/big enough to sit in the jogging stroller on her own. I have been running on the track at the gym with the stroller (with approval from the manager) as it is temperature controlled and guarantees a smooth run for both of us.I EBF so I don't have to worry about packing bottles. I feed/pump before I run and again when I get home and to date have not had any worries about supply.

Running with your kids is such a great experience. I trained for my most recent marathon with my DS and he loved going for rides....I think he is a little jealous of his sister. It gives you time to bond with your kids and also introduces them to exercise at an early age.

PS: I hope you don't deal with this but be prepared for people to comment/criticize about running with a baby. Seeing that it usually comes from individuals who are out of shape I usually just ignore it.

laurakaz13 · October 2011

Great to know! Thanks, girls! I've been dying to go running with her, but am still a bit nervous. She has fabulous head control though, so maybe it's time to try it out. Maybe I will start with her facing me, then face her out after I'm more comfortable.

laurakaz13 · October 2011

demmie326:

I ran throughout my pregnancy with DD, including the night that my water broke so it is no surprise that DD loves to go running with me. I started with hour long walks two days postpartum and three weeks ago started running five miles a day.....OB approved! As a PP mentioned I use the car seat adapter as DD is not strong/big enough to sit in the jogging stroller on her own. I have been running on the track at the gym with the stroller (with approval from the manager) as it is temperature controlled and guarantees a smooth run for both of us.I EBF so I don't have to worry about packing bottles. I feed/pump before I run and again when I get home and to date have not had any worries about supply.

Running with your kids is such a great experience. I trained for my most recent marathon with my DS and he loved going for rides....I think he is a little jealous of his sister. It gives you time to bond with your kids and also introduces them to exercise at an early age.

PS: I hope you don't deal with this but be prepared for people to comment/criticize about running with a baby. Seeing that it usually comes from individuals who are out of shape I usually just ignore it.

Lucky you! I was so sick during my entire pregnancy I could hardly work out. Post-pregnancy I had never been so out of shape. I've been running competitively for 18 yrs. Now I'm finally feeling good and in shape again.

And the second part, seriously!? I cannot imagine anyone commenting negatively about something that is so healthy and also fun for the LO.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The list of things people criticize mothers for continues to grow.

kirkette · October 2011

When did you start running with your baby in the jogging stroller? We started at 6 months. Also, did your LO like it? She loves it. When she as smaller, she'd sing on runs. Now she likes to talk about things she sees, and say "hi" to the other runners. For how long woudl they tolerate it? Age wise -she's 16 months and still loves it. I was afraid that she may not be interested after she started walking. However, it's been over 6 months and nothing has changed. Distance wise - I take her on runs and races up to 11 miles. Anything higher than that, I really don't want to be pushing a stroller.

laurakaz13 · October 2011

kirkette:
When did you start running with your baby in the jogging stroller? We started at 6 months. Also, did your LO like it? She loves it. When she as smaller, she'd sing on runs. Now she likes to talk about things she sees, and say "hi" to the other runners. For how long woudl they tolerate it? Age wise -she's 16 months and still loves it. I was afraid that she may not be interested after she started walking. However, it's been over 6 months and nothing has changed. Distance wise - I take her on runs and races up to 11 miles. Anything higher than that, I really don't want to be pushing a stroller.

This is great to know! I hope my LO loves it as much as yours does. I plan to start at right around 6 months as well. So excited!

MrsMitty08 · October 2011

I just wanted to jump in and say how encouraging this post is. I was a runner before I got pregnant and was able to run until about 18 weeks. I am really looking forward to running PP to get in shape and bond with baby. I was worried, from other things that I had read, that I wouldn't be able to actually "run" with my BOB until LO is out of the car seat attachment. Good to know it can happen sooner.

Cool

natalie202 · October 2011

Our pediatrician recommended waiting to start running with the carseat adaptor until 2 months, but ever since then, he's been joining me for runs. We still use the carseat adaptor. Most days, he likes running and can happily do 7 miles (about an hour) while awake. If I'm going to be out longer than that, I wait til he's ready for a nap, then feed him and head out the door.

simbaby · October 2011

Jumping in too...

I can't wait for LO to reach 6 months. I love running but using the dreadmill right now. He'll be 6 months in Dec so I'm hoping it's not too cold/wet for LO. I *might* use it earlier like at 5 months since he has great head control. We will see...

nic_megan · October 2011

I agree that this is very encouraging to hear all the moms who are having such positive experiences! I know I am a while yet before DD and I can run together, but I do look forward to it! My DH is planning to buy me a jogging stroller for Christmas, so perhaps by then we will be ready.

Thanks for the encouragement ladies and keep up the great work

DinabethL · October 2011

I'm only asking this because obviously I have no kids yet and don't really understand. Do you take the baby with you out of necessity? Or is it a choice? I love to run, but the thought of pushing a stroller at the same time is kind of a turn off. I know with BF and stuff you wouldn't be able to leave the child for too long, but would it be possible to just go without them?

cs1007 · October 2011

I started running with DS at 8 months. I probably would have done so sooner, but it was winter here in MA. I usually do 3-4 miles 4-5 times a week and he was fine with it...

demmie326 · October 2011

DinabethL:
I'm only asking this because obviously I have no kids yet and don't really understand. Do you take the baby with you out of necessity? Or is it a choice? I love to run, but the thought of pushing a stroller at the same time is kind of a turn off. I know with BF and stuff you wouldn't be able to leave the child for too long, but would it be possible to just go without them?

I am currently take DD running with me for two reasons...necessity and the challenge of pushing the stroller. DD is currently not taking a bottle so leaving her requires scheduling and even then I frequently have to go back home. Pushing a jogging stroller...no matter how light it is.... adds to your workout.

I learned with DS that they grow quickly and to cherish the time that I have while they are little. I am also fortunate to have other means of having time to myself so bringing my kids along when I run does not feel like a burden. I would rather have a sitter for a night with DH or with friends as opposed to when I go running.

Like most things in life you will probably find that we all do things for different reasons. And that as long as nobody is getting hurt its best to do what makes you happy, which in my case is running with my kids.

LenMont · October 2011

Not to be the negative nellie, but I just wanted to add a slightly different experience. DS and I started running together at about 6weeks PP (carseat adapter) and we ran several 5ks shortly thereafter. After he hit about six months, though, he was DONE with the stroller and wanted no part of it. As soon as he could crawl, he hated sitting still. I was so bummed out but kept taking him every once and awhile. I'm glad I kept at it because somewhere around 18 months, he totally changed his tune. Now he loves it and we go for runs several times a week.

For me, I do it out of necessity. DH works crazy hours so running with DS is the only way I can do it. Given the choice, I'd rather run solo. It's the one time I have "me" time. I love to just zone out and focus on my run. When I have DS, I spend the whole running answering questions, singing songs, counting, etc. Don't get me wrong--that's fun, too--in a different way. It's just not what I need from a run, if that makes any sense at all.

kirkette · October 2011

DinabethL:
I'm only asking this because obviously I have no kids yet and don't really understand. Do you take the baby with you out of necessity? Or is it a choice? I love to run, but the thought of pushing a stroller at the same time is kind of a turn off. I know with BF and stuff you wouldn't be able to leave the child for too long, but would it be possible to just go without them?

Depends on our schedule. For short runs, it's easy to take her. She likes going for runs. I like how training with a stroller has made me faster during races. I also like being able to spend more time with her after work. For longer runs, 11 miles+, the effort it takes to push would cancel the benefits I would be getting from the stroller. So, she stays home.

I wasn't going for 3 hour + runs, so breast feeding wasn't a factor. I'd feed her before leaving, and nurse again once I/we got home.

laurakaz13 · October 2011

DinabethL:
I'm only asking this because obviously I have no kids yet and don't really understand. Do you take the baby with you out of necessity? Or is it a choice? I love to run, but the thought of pushing a stroller at the same time is kind of a turn off. I know with BF and stuff you wouldn't be able to leave the child for too long, but would it be possible to just go without them?

When I have DH or some other family member here to watch DD, I will go running alone. It's a release for me. I like to blast my music and stay out there for a while.

I'll run with her out of necessity, or sometimes just for her own fun. I hope she will enjoy it and like to go eventually!

reederah · October 2011

Wow. I got a BOB and the manual said to wait until 8 months to run with the stroller and nothing about running with the car seat. Good to know others have done it earlier because I've been wanting to run with it so bad! DS is 11 weeks and I walk with him in it w/o the adapter and he's done great with his head control... Guess I'll wait a couple more months and hopefully we can run!

OpheliaChem · October 2011

I started walking with DD at 10 days PP. I couldn't run until 2 months PP. But we walked every day (using the car seat adapter). I still use the adapter and will continue to use it until the weather is too cold. Then she will sit in the stroller and I will use the weather shield. We usually run 2-3 days a week, usually for 3-4 miles. Once I start training in January, the mileage will increase, but I won't do more than 5-6 miles with her. I did 8 miles one time because MH wasn't home to watch DD. She did fine...she slept for the first half of the run and just chilled for the second half. I did have to stop and change her diaper because I felt bad making her sit that long in a wet dipe. So it gave me a chance to get her out of the seat. HTH!

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