New guidelines recommend new mothers exercise at least two hours weekly to improve health.

New mothers are advised to exercise at least two hours a week, including brisk walking or cycling, to boost physical and mental health, according to guidelines by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. The recommendations, based on 574 studies, also stress daily pelvic floor exercises and healthy sleep routines to reduce depression, anxiety, and urinary incontinence. Exercise can improve sleep quality and aid in weight management without negative impacts on breast milk or infant growth.