MOM Series: Getting back in the game - shotgun shooting after baby
New mums: getting back out in the field after having a baby can feel like a mix of excitement, nerves, and “will I even remember how to do this?” From a number of conversations I’ve had since starting the MOM series, I also imagine that if you are planning on starting a family some time soon, then the thought will have crossed your mind about what happens when the baby arrives.
For me, it was about reimagining expectations. Just because I had a baby, and now needed to prioritise Monty, did not mean I could not shoot. But I accepted that for now, I couldn’t do it in the same way, so needed to adapt my time and structure at the clay ground and needed to select those game shoots for the season which I could manage with Monty.
For my first foray back to the clay ground, Monty was four months old. I found half an hour where my sister could have Little Man and, leaving them comfortably with hot chocolate and cake, I took myself off to the driven target stand to shoot that one target in multiple different ways rather than circulating the ground. Getting back to shooting felt like reclaiming a piece of myself and was the complete mindfulness that I needed. It wasn’t perfect shooting - but I didn’t care. Step one for returning my ‘fieldability’ was complete; I was ‘back out’.
Given I had shot while I was pregnant, I was expecting to raise my gun with efficient muscle memory and pull away from my target with grace and style. That was not the case. It all felt different: my muscles felt weak and all memory seemed lost. I was tired. My centre of gravity was off (as I was now adjusting to not having a 10 pound 2 oz baby on my front) and my stance was going to be limiting my scores. All of this could have snapped my confidence in two but I realised I just needed to have a bit of patience and make a few little adjustments, and we would be back to it in no time.
So, for anyone else who is looking to pick up their shotgun post-partum (PP) or is sat at home in those early newborn weeks and now thinking about returning to the field, here is my advice for getting back out there:
Start at home - you can start to build up muscle tolerance and memory by mounting your empty shotgun at home, practise your movement and use snap caps. Remember that for 9 months, your body has been sending round hormones to relax pretty much every muscle in your body ready for your little bundle’s arrival - even the most seasoned of shots will feel it after several gun mounts. This is also a good opportunity to check how your mount feels if you are breastfeeding and will allow you to make any adjustments, such as ordering a recoil pad, should you feel one might help for now.
Get Doctors sign off - it goes without saying to get your Doctors sign off at the 6-8 week PP check up. It might be an idea to wait a bit longer if you had complications or a C-section. I had severe diastasis recti so my core really needed support and recovery PP. Also, as any mum will tell you mastitis is a complete M-F’er and so it would be best to avoid the clays for a few days either side if there’s a chance you feel unwell.
Leave baby in the clubhouse or with family - everyone knows Monty comes with me everywhere, and I’m an advocate for children being introduced to our way of life from the word go. BUT for this first time back out (and maybe a couple more afterwards), this is about you as a gun and not you as a mum. Take the time for you, where you’re not listening out for a cry or gurgle, and focus on the target in the air.
Have fun - take the expectations down a notch, accept that it’s ok to get back into it at your own pace and just have fun. We are not looking for perfection here!
Don’t overcomplicate - take out the least amount of kit you will need, limit your time for those early days back out (I did half an hour) and pick a stand and shoot it in different ways. If, like me, a driven target is your favourite then you can take them as driven, move and take it as a crosser, take the driven target earlier and/or shoot the clay, shoot the bit.
Start with the fundamentals - All returning mothers have to start somewhere. Take your time and think about your stance, footwork, mount, and engaging with your target before you start worrying about your score.
As soon as you can, book a lesson - When you’re on mat leave you might not have the spare cash for lessons so just have fun for now but, there is a risk you will compound bad habits (as I did). I would advise, as soon as you can, treat yourself to a lesson with an expert. I’m having lessons with Cheryl Hall and have noticed such an improvement in my shooting in just a few outings.
Know when to stop - PP recovery is different for everyone so don’t force it; if something feels off, adjust what you’re doing or take breaks as needed. Half an hour’s outing will do more wonders for your mood and sense of self than one hour where you’re starting to feel tired or are focussing on your scores.
Plan ahead and adapt if needed - I’m not going to offer advice here as every woman is different but recoil is going to be affected by the gauge of your gun, the size of your cartridges, the clothing you are wearing and if you are shooting a SxS or O/U. Think about any adaptations you might need and please shoot a suitable clay load cartridge! It’s also a good idea to breastfeed immediately before going out to help with any recoil sensitivity.
Give yourself grace - You just brought life into this world! If your aim isn’t perfect right away, that’s okay. You will also be tired, thinking of a million things and still be adjusting to your new body PP - be kind to yourself.
And finally, please DO NOT ALLOW ANY MUM GUILT TO CREEP IN. You are showing your little ones from their earliest core memories that Mummy has a sport, independence and that you appreciate time in the outdoors. A happy mum is a happy baby.
By
Claire Sads