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This photograph taken on October 6, 2015 shows mothers with their babies attending an exercise class dubbed 'Mumba', a new twist on the baby-wearing trend gripping mothers in the city. PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images

It's a misconception that wearing your baby while exercising is unsafe for you or your child. Wearing your baby in a sling, wrap or carrier and then working out correctly can be rewarding for both the parent and the baby.

Parents can in fact include their children into their workouts instead of using them as an excuse for not exercising. The practice of involving babies in the exercise regimen will have the following benefits:

  • One can have more time to work out.
  • Exercising is equally good for children.
  • Playing and exercising with baby can create a great bonding and also helps one to know a lot more about the child’s personality.

According to Nicole Crawford, a certified yoga instructor and women’s fitness specialist, working out with the baby right from the very beginning is highly recommended.

Writing on her website Breaking Muscle, she says that wearing a baby while working helps both the mother and the baby develop strength. This also helps babies who sleep less to sleep well.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, Tabitha Thomas, a certified fitness trainer and co-founder of Babyfitjoy — a babywearing workout program — said, “Working out with external resistance has always been encouraged. Incorporating the use of weights or resistance bands, for instance, is known to help increase endurance, strength, and overall cardiovascular health.”

She added, “Babywearing and working out with your baby can have significant health benefits if done correctly. Safety is paramount, but as long as caregivers are adhering to safety regulations as suggested by fitness experts, such workouts will come with an added benefit of bonding with your child and also having a happier, more confident, and smarter baby.”

However, running or jogging is never advisable while carrying a baby.

According to an article in Lille Baby, Natasha, the owner of Fit Mama Santa Barbara, recommends that one should definitely consider certain things before exercising while babywearing. She suggests that if the baby is under six months, the child should be worn in the front, facing in. She suggests that the legs should be in a comfortable M position, and the head and neck should be supported with a hood.

Since babies sometimes find difficulty in regulating their temperature, it is important to take breaks so that the child feels comfortable. And if the baby is more than six months old she advises against exercises that involve lot of jumping or running.

Massy Arias, a celebrity fitness trainer and CoverGirl ambassador who has amassed millions of followers on social media platforms with her workout tips and short videos, was recently criticized after she posted a video of her working out while babywearing.

Arias, from Los Angeles, could be seen working out in a gym with her daughter strapped onto her back. Opinions were mixed, as some of her followers said she was doing good by involving her daughter in her workout; but there were also others who said she ignored the child’s safety.

In March, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a video of him working out with his daughter Maxima strapped onto his back. Even then concerns were raised that Zuckerberg was putting his daughter at risk.

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