At Dance With Me Baby, the safety of both baby and caregiver is our number one priority (well number 1 equal with fun, of course! ) We want to make sure that both of you are comfortable and safe during our classes, and for that reason, we have the following practices in place:
  • All babies must be a minimum of six weeks old before starting DWMB classes.
  • All mothers must be a minimum of six weeks postpartum and be cleared to commence exercise by their lead maternal carer, or GP. Those that have had caesarean sections will likely need longer than six weeks. Any mothers with diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles, common after pregnancy) should see a physiotherapist to ensure they are engaging the muscles correctly, before commencing classes.

WHAT KIND OF CARRIERS ARE SUITABLE TO USE AT DANCE WITH ME BABY?

There are a huge variety of baby carriers and slings available - the type of carrier you choose to use will depend on a huge variety of factors and will come down to personal preference. If you are looking for some guidance before purchasing a carrier, check out a local babywearing group, such as Babywearing North Shore, or Slingbabies (who also have very good FAQ section on carrier use on their website).  The Sleep Store also has information about and sell a variety of carriers. For personalised service, I recommend contacting Sandy McGivern-Butler of SnugLove Babywearing here on the North Shore - she will even come to you, and listen to your needs and demonstrate a variety of options for you.

At Dance With Me Baby, your carrier needs to be comfortable enough for you to be able to wear it for 50 minutes doing low impact movement - so your baby needs to be held snugly, high and tight,  with their head and back supported, and chin off their chest. To support their hip joint properly, ideally baby's legs will be held in an 'M' shaped spread squat, with knees higher than their bottom.
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​Safety during class

When you arrive and register for your first DWMB class, you'll need to read through and sign off on health and safety information, and make the instructor aware of any health issues (so please to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your first class).  If you have any queries about the fit or suitability of your carrier for the class, this is the time to discuss these with the instructor.

At the beginning of the class, you will be taken through a safety check to make sure your baby is being held securely and firmly in their carrier - we follow the TICKS checklist (used with permission of the UK Sling Consortium).

We take frequent breaks during class for hydration, and you are welcome and encouraged to stop at anytime that you or your baby require during the class.

Come along.
Come + groove with your bubba!
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Photo used under Creative Commons from hugabub.com