Getting fitness back post-birth

[TTc2019BabyNo1]

To all you lovely, fit mums out there, please could I have some tips on how to get my fitness back after having my first?

Pre-pregnancy I used to run every day with my dog which i’d like to get back into but how have others managed this with baby?
I’d like to get some of my fitness back as soon as possible really although, I know this will depend on what happens at the birth.
I’d love to hear some real life tips/experiences...
TIA 😊🏃🏼‍♀️

I was also a regular runner before I had my DS. I think the best place to start is lots of walks with baby and dog after the birth, when you feel able. Start small and work your way up to long walks. I trained for a half marathon and ran it when DS was 14 months. I started running again at about 5 months PP. It did feel like starting back at the beginning physically but mentally I knew I was capable of the distances so that helped.

Pre and mid pregnancy I was going to the gym 3-5x a week. Now with an 8mo I still haven't made it back, but I have managed to get back to pre-pregnancy weight.

For me, it's lots of walks with baby (bonus as it usually helps get a nap in) or some at-home workouts while DS is asleep.

But honestly, don't feel you need to rush back into it. See how the birth goes and start small with really short walks and you'll work your way back.

When I was getting back into it after DD I would get all my running gear on, pram packed and ready before her 8.30/9am feed. Then after she was finished I'd pop her in the buggy and away we went. Many times I ended up feeding her at some point along the way so made sure I had a good sports nursing bra. As her routine got more regular and her naps more predictable I managed to time it so she would feed before then sleep on the run and I would get back with just enough time to shower and change before she woke.
DH and I have taken her on some longer runs too but these get harder as they get older because they just don't want to be in the buggy for long.
Some nights when DH got home I'd be waiting in my running gear and would give her a quick top up feed then dash out the door for a quick run while he did bath and books. Again I would get back with just enough time to shower/change before her bedtime feed.
A good running buggy with proper suspension etc was essential. I started back light jogging at 6weeks with clearance from midwife but didn't start pushing the buggy until about 3months. At that point I was still slow enough that it was more like a fast walk and baby was perfectly safe.