Keeping Active
Pregnancy
Staying active during pregnancy benefits you and your baby, exercising increases the blood flow to the placenta which is great for your baby's growth and development. If you are already active, continue as usual. If you are new to exercise start gently and build up – walking is a good start. Active Luton offer a free gentle stretch class for pregnancy.
Click on the guides for more information on staying active in pregnancy.
Babies and toddlers
Physical activity is important for babies and toddler's health and development, it helps:
- physical and cognitive development – brain development and learning, muscle and bone development, fine and gross motor skills (big and small physical movements) and coordination.
- Keep them healthy: including a healthy weight and reduced risk of diabetes and other diseases later in life
- Build social skills
- Improve sleep and mental wellbeing
Click on the guide to the right for more information.
Adults
Physical activity has a large number of benefits to physical and mental health. Being an active parent also helps us manage the every day stresses of parenting and provides a positive role model to our children.
Click on the guide to the right for more information.
Recommended levels of activity
Recommended amount |
Activity ideas |
|
|---|---|---|
Pregnancy |
At least 150 minutes per week | Swimming, dancing, walking, yoga, gentle exercises and pregnancy exercise classes |
Babies under 1 year |
30 minutes activity in mutiple short bursts across the day | Tummy time – rolling and playing on the floor, sensory play, baby massage, action rhymes and parent and baby swim sessions |
Toddlers (1-5 years) |
At least 180 mins varied activity | Running, jumping, climbing, dancing, swimming, action songs, going to the park, ball games etc. |
Adults |
At least 150 minutes of moderate per week | Brisk walking, running, stair climbing, cycling, swimming sports, weight lifting, gardening, carrying shopping etc. |
Local Activity Sessions
