Portal about Pregnancy

You may be eager to get back in shape after the birth of your baby, but it can be tough to find time to exercise when you’re juggling feedings, diaper changes and piles of laundry—all on minimal sleep. To the rescue: these fun, body-sculpting moves from the recently released book Pee Wee Pilates: Pilates for the Postpartum Mother and Her Baby (Da Capo Press, 2005).

Created by New York City Pilates instructor Holly Jean Cosner, this at-home workout is designed to strengthen your core—your abdominals, lower back, hips, buttocks and pelvic floor—the area most affected by pregnancy. The mat-based exercises allow you to stretch and strengthen your entire body and reduce tension without putting stress on the joints. In each of the moves, your baby is strategically placed to help you maintain proper form and focus and, at times, add resistance, Cosner explains.