Any new phase of life or change can be difficult, but having a child can be especially challenging for many new parents who may feel unable to do the activities they did previously and end up struggling with isolation and low morale.
Recognising a gap in physical activity services for parents, Mackay Regional Council, along with women’s health physiotherapist Lauren Neill, launched the Healthier Parents Program. The program was funded by the North Queensland Sports Foundation (NQSF) Move It NQ initiative.
NQSF board member Cr Laurence Bonaventura said the program was designed to provide parents with children under 12 months the opportunity to participate in physical activity with their child.
“As a double benefit the program also helps to reduce instances of social isolation often experienced by new parents,” Cr Bonaventura said.
“The Healthier Parents Program has been a huge success and, while it was initially planned to run for eight weeks, the program has been extended and has had 64 parents participate,” he said.
Facilitator Lauren Neill said the program allows women to exercise at their current level of fitness and ease their bodies back into exercise.
“We do this through a combination of strength, pelvic floor exercises and stretching and the parents get to do all this with their babies,” she said.
“We do things like squats and bridges with the babies, and we even have some mums breastfeeding while doing side lying exercises.”
The program has not only helped many women bridge the gap between giving birth and mainstream exercise programs but has also shown to have benefited participants both mentally and psychosocially as well.
“The best thing about the group is that they have built a support group for each other,” Lauren said.
“It makes me so happy that I can turn up and can’t start the class on time because they are all gasbagging so much!”
Participants of the programs have been enjoying the freedom of being able to bring their children along to the class as well as the positive social vibe they get when attending.
“Lauren’s weekly class is amazing; it’s such a welcoming environment, so warm and friendly,” a regular participant said.
As many new parents will attest, often getting out of the house can be a feat in itself, Lauren encourages any mum who would like to try the program to just turn up when they can.
“All the parents welcome any newcomers with open arms, it doesn’t matter if you are late, or have to feed half the class, just turn up and give it a go,” she said.
Classes run every Wednesday, from 9:30am at Andergrove Hall during the school term. For more information on classes, visit: www.mackay.qld.gov.au/facilities/fitness_and_health/sports_and_recreation/get-active/healthier_parents_program
