Running with a baby
[This post is sponsored as part of my partnership with Womenโs Running Series. Iโm running the WRS half in Tempe in November- check out the end of the post for a discount code and all the details if youโd like to run with me!]
Before I was pregnant, there was a lot of things I didnโt know about pregnancy or raising a baby, and thatโs ok, because I obviously didnโt need that knowledge at the time. (Sorry this is TMI but I do kind of wish I knew that you have to birth the placenta. I didnโt figure that out until a few years ago and HELLO! What a surprise.) I had no idea what the heck swaddling was or about the 5 sโs (which would eventually save my life), or that there were certain things you couldnโt do with a newborn. A few of my mom friends ran with their babies, and to me, all babies were about the same age (aka a one-year old was the same as a two-year-old in my brain), so I thought you could run with a newborn in a jogging stroller. Not the case at all.
It wasnโt until I was pregnant and doing research for strollers that I found out that you canโt do anything more than walk with a baby until theyโre six months old (some stroller models even suggest longer). You also have to use a special stroller for running, since the soft wheels absorb some impact and minimize shaking for the babyโs quickly-developing body. So until Liv was old enough to ride in the BOB stroller, I was doing solo occasional runs, or the Pilot and I would take turns running out and back to the stroller. Now, Liv is my favorite running buddy.
Here are some of the things Iโve learned running with a baby:
1) Know your babyโs limit. Liv has done 8 miles with us, but by the end, she was not a happy camper. Her personal max is 6, where sheโll stay in the stroller and is happy, so anything after that, I plan to run alone when the Pilot is home. My personal favorite distance to run with the jogging stroller is 3-4 miles; the extra resistance makes a huge difference!
2) Pack distractions. I always tuck a couple of toys in the side pockets for her to play with, and she also loves when I put snacks and a sippy cup in the snack tray. Sheโll munch her cheesy rocket crackers and sing along while I run. Iโll also put my phone on airplane mode and let her play music in the stroller.
3) Always have a backup outfit and wipes. I forgot the wipes onceโฆ and I will never forget them again.
4) Have a quick escape route. Know what youโre going to do if your baby has a meltdown and is over the stroller. I usually pick simple out-and-back routes for this reason, so if I have to carry her home, itโs NBD.
5) Sunscreen, a hat, and a soft blanket are awesome stroller must-haves. I got this tip while I was pregnant and itโs a game-changer: the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets are perfect to moisten with water and drape over the front of the stroller. It keeps it shaded and makes the air much cooler!
6) Drop your expectations. Before, I used to set lofty pace and distance goals for myself, and now Iโm just happy to get out there. My run could be an hour if things go well, or it could be 20 minutes. Iโm just happy to be running outdoors, and to have my little running buddy with me. She yells, โHooray!!โ when I go for some sprints, and I hope that by coming with us, it will bolster her love of nature and encourage fun fitness as she gets older.
7) Of course, make sure to read the directions and follow your strollerโs safety guidelines. We got the โokโ from Livโs ped before we started running with her in the stroller, just to make sure that her neck muscles were strong enough.
If you have any more tips, Iโd love to hear them in the comments section!
For all of my AZ friends, Iโll be running the Womenโs Running Series Half Marathon in November. The event details are here, and if you decide to register, use the code: FITAZGINA for $10 off. Feel free to tweet along with us too at #beamazing
xoxo
Gina
[This post was sponsored as part of a campaign with Fitfluential. As always, all opinions are my own. Iโm just excited to run a race and thankful for some kick-in-the-pants training motivation ๐ ]
These are great tips! I had no idea you couldnโt run with a baby stroller until 6 months either. It does make sense when you think about it though bc infants are so fragile.
I know a guy who would show up at a local 5K every year with his little daughter in a jogging stroller โ and he won his division each time. Then, last year, he added another daughter and pushed both along! I kept thinking as the girls got bigger heโd slow down but he keeps it up and it is such a sweet and inspiring sight!
wow, that is amazing!
I have to say, I began jogging with my daughter in the BOB+carseat adapter starting at 6 weeks postpartum. It felt safe because she was strapped in to her seat and because I ran nice and slow on a paved surface. I know quite a few people who did the same. Now she is nearing her third birthday and I can honestly say its the best piece of baby gear I purchased. She is my favorite running buddy!
the bob is seriously amazing ๐
This is a really, really dumb question, but when I see moms running on the trail I constantly wonder/worry about what happens when you run downhill? What would happen if you tripped? Do the running strollers have special breaks or something?
โ clueless dog mom
if you tripped, i have no idea! thereโs a safety strap that many of them have to keep the stroller attached to your wrist (so going downhill, if for some reason you let go, the stroller wouldnโt fly away from you)
So interesting! I didnโt know about the age limit either, but it totally makes since about their neck muscles needing to develop. Although I donโt have a little one yet, definitely great information to keep in mind!
These are really great tips โ and most completely new to me! Good to know. ๐ Also, youโre tempting me with this half marathon, Ginaโฆ
doooooooooo it!!!
Why do you put your phone on airplane mode for her? Because you worry about the phone waves (donโt even know really what itโs called) are dangerous for her to be around? I ask because I also put my phone in the side pocket so my baby can listen to music while I run ๐
Maybe so she canโt dial out and talk to people?
yeah i donโt feel comfortable having my phone super close to her unless itโs on airplane mode. this way, she canโt text or call people too
ok thanks!
great post!
before I have a baby (or get pregnant for that matter) I will definitely be doing a lot of reading and learning a lot of things I didnโt knot, a lot because so much of it is TMI so no one openly talks about it. these are the things i NEED to know! haha
Iโm so impressed with how you were able to jump back into fitness after a baby. Itโs giving me inspiration since I donโt have a baby so I have no excuses. haha
I bring my Ergo, so if she gets fussy and wants to be carried home, itโs way easier.
Fingers crossed that these tips come in handy one day!
Great insight + very important! I will be sharing this with my mommy clients! Thank you for writing such an informative post, hope you have a great week Gina! Love + Shine CourtStar
I broke the rules and started jogging with my son in his car seat strapped into the BOB around 5 weeks. This was only after talking with many other moms who did as well and reading lots of testimonials online. Heโs now 2 and loves going out for runs! I think the longest weโve done was 8 switching back and forth between my hubby and myself and while he was okay, we were tired of pushing!
In a half marathon I did last year there was a guy pushing his daughter in her BOB the whole way!
Great tips!
I also run/do a baby bootcamp with my now 12 week old. Itโs an iCandy (UK brand), but heโs strapped into his adapted car seat. Itโs soooo much heavier so Iโll definitely be happy when we can transition to the actual stroller seat!
There are a few Moms in my group who run with this stroller (link below), and it looks amazingly lightweight and comfortable. Kind jealous!
http://www.best4strollers.com/store/jogging-strollers/baby-jogger-25th-anniversary-performance-single-jogging-stroller-1732201257983595/
Thank you SO much for this post! I am not pregnant and havenโt a baby, but I hope I will have in 2-3 years โ so this is great information!
I imagine that running with ababy is not easy. What if she starts to cry 3 miles in, and you have to run 3 miles back to the house or car? I also imagine that itโs probably fun for the baby too though! I used to love when my mom pushed me fast in the shopping cart, let a lone a stroller!
Thanks for sharing. Iโm definitely in the dark about a lot of pregnancy and baby things, but reading your blog has helped quite a bit!
Good luck with your half training ๐
I started (slowly) jogging with my daughter at 5 months. After reading many reviews of the BOB, I found that if her head control is good, then she should be fine. Of course I checked on her constantly, but she is always so happy! She gets in her running zone. ๐
I agree with you โ I donโt set any crazy goals, I just get out there. I canโt explain how amazing it feels to do something I love (running) with someone I love (my daughter)! Cheers!
Just a couple silly questions โ what are the 5 sโs? and why do you put your plane on airplane mode? Thank you!!!!!
not silly at all! here ya go:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_harvey-karps-happiest-baby-method-for-baby-sleep-and-soothin_10373838.bc
i do airplane mode to minimize the waves from my phone, and that way she canโt call or text anyone
I registered and live in Gilbert, AZ. So, if you are in the area and want to get a run in. I could use all the training I can get! ๐
Great tip on the aden+anais blanket sprayed with water, I love those blankets (and so does my daughter!).
I havenโt started running with my little girl, sheโs 7 months but I hope to start some short runs soonโฆ
Love the tips!!
Iโm a new readerโฆhi! Love these tips! I have a bunch of tips for running with a baby when itโs cold out here: http://www.iamamess.com/bundle-up/.
Iโll be following along!
Wow- that Bob Stroller is fancy! My mom had one of the original running strollers when I was a kid, which was basically a piece of canvas in between some huge bicycle tires! They have changed a lot since then.
My guy is 16 months, and I while I love love love the BOB for walking, I just recently tried taking him running with it. Itโs a little weird to only use one arm, and the hills were killer, but he was great company in there chatting away!
My boys are my favorite running buddies too. I was SO happy when they were old enough to go in the jogging stroller.
The furthest Iโve gone with my little one was 8 miles as well. He was fine the entire time. He slept the last half. I started running with him much much earlier than 6 months and heโs been absolutely fine. He was all cozy in the car seat/adapter. Now heโs 8 months and totally healthy.