Prioritising Movement and Self-Care in Motherhood

 

As part of our focus on maternal wellbeing this month, Nadia our Co-Founder had a brilliant conversation with Louise Buttler, founder of LiveBrave, about the importance of movement, strength, and self-care in motherhood. We know that when mums feel supported and well, they can create stronger bonds at home and help their children thrive.

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation with Louise:

Finding Time for Movement as a Mum

We know that fitting in exercise as a mum can feel impossible, but Louise encourages taking a flexible, pressure-free approach. Even just five or ten minutes of movement can make a difference. It’s about consistency, not perfection. One of her top tips is to prepare in advance – lay out your workout clothes, yoga mat, or equipment the night before so it’s ready to go. Even getting your children’s clothes ready for the next day helps keep everything organised and saves time. If you’re not feeling up to a structured workout, don’t force it. Sometimes, simply getting fresh air with your baby in the pram can be just as beneficial. It’s all about finding ways to move that feel good for you.

Safe Ways to Rebuild Strength

After pregnancy and birth, the body needs time to recover. Louise shared some simple, effective exercises to help rebuild strength safely:

Squats – A great full-body exercise that also strengthens the pelvic floor. Focus on controlled breathing: inhale as you go down to relax the pelvic floor, then exhale as you

stand up to gently engage and lift it. Moving slowly and with intention helps reconnect with your core safely.

All-Fours Leg Lifts – Helps strengthen the deep core and stabilises the body.

Side-Lying Lifts – Supports the waist and helps gently bring the abdominals back together post-pregnancy.

These exercises can be done in short bursts, even while the baby naps or plays nearby.

Making Time for Yourself

Louise emphasised that movement should be enjoyable, not another chore. If Pilates or strength workouts don’t appeal to you, find something that does – whether that’s a gentle walk, stretching, or dancing around the kitchen. She also shared the importance of blocking out time in your diary for self-care, just like any other commitment. Even just 10 minutes a few times a week can make a huge difference to energy levels and mental wellbeing.

Supporting Your Body for the Long Term

Taking care of your body postpartum isn’t just about the here and now – it’s about setting yourself up for long-term health. Strengthening your core and pelvic floor now can helpprevent issues later, such as back pain, prolapse, or incontinence, especially as you approach perimenopause and menopause. Louise encourages mums to seek expert support if they can, whether through a women’s health physiotherapist or a postnatal fitness specialist, to ensure they’re moving safely and effectively.

Where can I get more support?

We hope these insights from Louise help you feel empowered to make time for

yourself in a way that works for you. Check out LiveBrave Pilates for supportive, expert-led

workouts designed for mums. Louise has developed Louise has 800 hours of

classes on her app, to help you rebuild your strength.