Gurgling noises and giggles mixed with the strains of nursery rhymes can be heard from the sound system as a group of women in tracksuits work through their gentle exercise routine.

Their babies were held out in front of them, the precious bundles carefully balanced as they follow the movements of the instructor standing before them, who expertly moves her own toddler to demonstrate another move to the class.

It was the second session of Kirsten Rees' Pilates group for new mums at Hope Chapel in Hotwells and the women are already getting the hang of the moves.

The classes are not strenuous, but involve stretches and bends that will help the women tone up months after giving birth to their little ones.

Kirsten, whose own son Caleb is 10 months old, has a background in Pilates and is a personal trainer.

The moves she teaches are ones that she practised herself when she was trying to get back to her pre-pregnancy shape.

Her tiny frame would be the envy of any woman, but holding the son she gave birth to 10 months before demonstrates what can be achieved with the right exercise.

It was when other women showed interest as she was working out in the park that Kirsten realised she might be able to help other new mums regain their former figures.

She said: "I think I had a lot more hope after having a baby of being able to get back into my regular exercise routine but it was quite frustrating.

"As I started feeling better, I would go into the gym and do the work-out I had before I had Caleb, but I would suffer and feel exhausted. Or I was quite low or got sick, so it was learning that although my body was able to do it, I had been through nine months of pregnancy and the trauma of giving birth and then caring for somebody, breast-feeding and sleeping less and accepting that.

"In nice weather I started getting out with Caleb's pram, going to the park and doing lunges and squats, doing stuff with him and women were coming up to me and saying how good it was that I was back exercising. It came from there."

The moves involve standing and sitting stretches and work on mats. There are squats with the babies held out in front, moves where babies are lifted and push-up exercises where the mums smile and make eye-contact with their babies as they move closer to them on the mats.

The moves are easy enough that when the mums have got the hang of them they can be done at home – something that Kirsten encourages.

But for many of the mums, the benefit of the classes is not just the chance to tone up, but to get out of the house, and meet other mums and babies.

Annie Powell, 33, of Clifton Wood, has attended the sessions with her three-and-a-half-month-old daughter Delilah.

"It is partly to get out of the house," she said.

"It is good to get out for me and the baby.

"I want to get my figure back too, because everything seems to go back to normal apart from your tummy and I had heard Pilates is good for getting your stomach back.

"It's fantastic really and I hadn't anticipated how much the babies would love it.

Sarah Conner, 33, of Clifton Wood, had been to Kirsten's Pilates classes before and during her pregnancy, and after having eight-month-old Theo, thought it would be an ideal way for her to get back in shape.

"I like the fact that Kirsten's just had a baby herself and recognises our needs.

"Theo just loves it and laughs his head off."

Fiona Adams, of Sneyd Park, has been attending the sessions with her daughter Kate, five months.

"I wanted to do more things with Kate and meet other people.

"It is not my normal sort of exercise, I usually run, but it is hard to exercise when your husband or partner are at work and by the time they get home it is not really feasible."

For Aileen Puetz, 31, of Clifton, who took her five-and-a-half month daughter Amelie along, the appeal was that the pair could participate together.

"I liked the idea I could bring my baby rather than leave her in a corner. Even if they are just playing on the mats they can still see you."

Kathryn Wrigley, 31, of Leigh Woods, has taken her three-and-a-half month old son George to the sessions.

"There are limited exercise classes you can do with babies, but it has been really good fun.

"I quite like that you don't need equipment and it is a good chance to meet other mums and babies. That's the reason I do it really."

Kirsten believes there is too much pressure on women to get back to their previous shape, and hopes that because she has been through pregnancy, birth, and is looking after her own baby, the other mums can relate to her.

"I really get a buzz from teaching this class. My other classes are great and I have started teaching again but because of where I am in my life I can relate to the women and they can relate to me. I can understand more about what is going on than their husbands because I have been through it. Our stories are different but there are many similarities.

"It is exciting for me to have started this and got a good crowd."

The classes are held at Hope Community Church, in Hotwells, every Wednesday morning from 10.45 to 11.30am with time after for mums to talk and share a cup of tea and a healthy snack. The initial eight-week course costs £60.

To find out more or register for a place, email kirsten_rees@yahoo.co.uk or call 07920 032 513.