What happens when your child has grown out of a 24" wheel kids bike, but isn't big enough to move up to an adult bike. These junior sized 26" wheel hybrid will fill that gap.
Cycling while breastfeeding
Cycling while breastfeeding your baby - is it possible? Absolutely!
If you’re a keen cyclist who has just welcomed (or is about to welcome) a new member of the family, you may be wondering how soon you can get back out on two wheels, and asking this very question.
There are lots of things to consider when returning to cycling after having a baby, many of which you’ll find in our guide to cycling with babies and toddlers.
For advice on cycling while breastfeeding, whether you’re carrying kids by bike, or out on a ride getting some much needed time to yourself, read on.
Contents
Use the links below to jump to the most relevant part of the article.
Cycling after childbirth
There are many reasons you might be looking to get out on your bike after having a baby, whether you’re returning to a much loved activity, or thinking about ways to introduce cycling to your life now you’re a parent, for fun, fitness and/or transport.
Either way, if you’re breastfeeding your child, it’s important to listen to your body and exercise within your limits. Everyone will have a different recovery time, based on their birth experience and general fitness levels.
First things first, always check with your GP or midwife that you’re ready to start cycling, and pay attention to what your body tells you. If you experience any bleeding or pain, stop cycling and consult your doctor – likewise if you weren’t a regular exerciser before getting pregnant, or have never cycled before, take medical advice.
Your baby's and your 6-week postnatal check is a good opportunity to ask your GP about exercise and cycling.
Quick tips for parents in a hurry
If you’re short on time, here are a few quick tips to help you get back on the bike while breastfeeding:
- Consider the time you’ll be in the saddle, especially on your first few rides after the birth.
- Feed your baby or express before you set off so you’re comfortable for your ride.
- Keeping hydrated is especially important if you’re breastfeeding, so take a water bottle or two with you.
- You need more calories if you’re cycling while breastfeeding, so remember to take adequate snacks, to keep your energy levels up.
- Supporting your breasts with a good bra is really important. Always choose an unwired model to avoid blocking milk ducts. There’s a good choice of nursing sports bras available if you’re planning to feed or express whilst on your ride.
Complete guide to cycling while breastfeeding
If you’ve got more time to read up on the subject, here’s a bit more in-depth advice on cycling while breastfeeding.
Cycling with your baby
A great advantage of cycling with your baby, especially when breastfeeding, is that you don’t need to carry bottles of milk with you, and you can feed on the go.
It also means you can get carried away and stay out as long as you want without worrying about getting home for the next feed.
If you are planning to feed your baby en route, it’s worth planning in advance suitable places to stop and do this, and ensuring that the clothing you’re wearing is suitable (some sports-style cycling clothing isn’t that breastfeeding friendly!).
In the spring and summer, stopping for a feed is easier than in the colder months. Having a blanket to wrap around your baby in colder months and a sun hat for keeping the sun out of their face when feeding are must-haves.
Cycling without your baby
If you’re getting some much-needed time alone or in adult company, then you need to bear in mind that you’ll probably be limited in how long you can cycle for before you may need to express milk or return to your baby to feed them.
This is something that will be personal to you, so pay attention to your body and get a sense of how long it usually takes for your breasts to fill up with milk, or for your baby to want to nurse.
There may be times during the day when your baby is content without you there or asleep, so make sure you plan your cycling trips accordingly.
Plan a route that will take that amount of time (or ideally a little less, to accommodate faff), feed your baby, or express, immediately before leaving, and then enjoy your bike ride!
Sports bras and cycling while breastfeeding
Standard sports bras, while necessary for many of us while exercising, aren’t very practical for breastfeeding, so it’s important to bear this in mind.
If you’re on a leisurely ride, then a standard breastfeeding bra will probably be fine, as they tend to be quite supportive.
For serious training rides though, you’re better off either using a regular sports bra, and planning feeds around your ride, or investing in a specially designed nursing sports bra if you need to feed or express during your ride.
Karen’s story
When my eldest, N, was about 7 months old, I crazily decided to sign up for my first ever triathlon. Probably something about still having the ability to do something other than be a mummy!
I did five months of training on the bike whilst breastfeeding him. Whilst I needed extra calories and a good sports bra, there was nothing about breastfeeding that stopped me from training. I just made sure my breasts were empty, either through feeding or expressing before setting out on a training ride, run or swim.
I stopped breastfeeding about two months before the triathlon, after five months of training whilst feeding.
The triathlon itself was amazing, and the sense of achievement I felt when crossing the finishing line was incredible. I’d managed to do something challenging and new, as a new mum!
18 months later, when T was born, I already knew I’d have to do another triathlon.
This time I was still breastfeeding on the day of the race, as were the two friends I entered with.
On top of the training, while I was breastfeeding I also made lots of short, local journeys by bike, and I also enjoyed cycling with the family at the weekend.
When we were on these longer leisure rides, the biggest challenge was often finding suitable places to stop and feed.
On one of our first rides together I decided to do a route along our local canal towpath - nice and flat, but with nowhere to easily stop and feed when T decided he was hungry!
I pedalled as fast as possible to the next bridge where I sat and fed him, and thankfully no one needed to use the steps at the same time. After that I learnt to plan rides with at least a bench en route, or preferably a cafe.
So if you’re thinking of cycling while breastfeeding, give it a go – it’s great fun and you get to keep fit at the same time.
Saskia’s story
When our second child was born we were the proud owners of an electric box bike, with a car seat adapter. From around 6 weeks old, I'd take our baby and her older sister in the cargo bike, for daily journeys to the shops and into town, as well as to drop off and pick up my eldest from nursery.
The great thing about riding a cargo bike with a baby is that it's similar to walking around with a pushchair - you can stop fairly quickly if your baby is not happy.
I found the winter months a bit more tricky for cargo biking and breastfeeding on the go, but holding a baby close to your body usually does the trick in terms of keeping them warm. I used a coat with a maternity insert for baby carrying as well as breastfeeding when out and about if it was really cold.
New online course: "Understanding Cycling Gear for Babies and Toddlers"
These early years are so precious - don't miss out on cycling with your little one!
Our new online course is a great way to quickly learn about all the different equipment available to cycle with babies and toddlers, plus the pros and cons of each, so you can decide what suits your family and get out riding ASAP.
Sign up now for our Understanding Cycling Gear for Babies and Toddlers course and start making memories this summer.
Other articles you might be interested in:
- How to start cycling with a small child in a bike seat, cargo bike or trailer
- 7 ways to cycle with a young child, toddler or baby
- Can I cycle with my baby in a sling, papoose or baby carrier?
- Where to try family cycling equipment
- Best front bike seats for toddlers and young children
- Best rear bike seats for toddlers and small children
- Best bike helmets for babies and toddlers
- Best bikes for a 1 year-old
- Best balance bikes
Related Posts
Review of the Wulf Sport kids cycling gloves, including details and images of gloves in use by our young rider.
Review of the MTB Works Trail Ready kids cycling Jersey, including details and images of the jersey being worn.
Comments
Great post Karen! I researched exercise whilst breastfeeding as I think most of us new mums hear scaremongering about how exercise makes breastmilk taste sour, due to a build-up of lactic acid. Thankfully this myth has been disproved, certainly there is no evidence to suggest exercise affects breastmilk as long, as you say, you keep hydrated and eat well. I ran a half marathon while still breastfeeding – my daughter certainly had no complaints when she tucked in afterwards!
Thanks Cathy! My boys certainly didn’t seem to pick up on a taste of lactic acid in my breast milk (although they both hated it when I ate a curry!)
I’m awe of you doing a half marathon whilst breastfeeding – that’s an impressive achievement!