What is babywearing dance?
Babywearing dance was born out of the recent popularity of babywearing - the practice of keeping your baby or toddler close and connected to you as you go about your daily activities, through the use of a baby carrier or sling. It is a centuries-old practice, found in many different cultures around the world and has a multitude of benefits for both child and parent (more on this here). A babywearing dance class is a low-impact dance class designed for parents or caregivers to participate in whilst wearing their baby in a supportive carrier.
Where, when, and how much?
Dance With Me Baby (DWMB) is held during standard term times - currently we run a class in Milford on Wednesdays at 12.30pm, at the Milford Senior Citizen's Club Hall (next to Milford New World), 141A Kitchener Road, Milford.. Classes are $10 per session, or $8 per class with a 5 class concession pass ($40). And your first class is absolutely free!
Our Tuesday 12pm Hobsonville Point class is currently on hold - if you are keen to attend, please register your interest with me - it is possible that the class could be restarted if we have numbers.
Do I need to register?
No, no need to register - feel free to contact me with any queries prior to starting, but you are welcome to just come along to a class and try us out.
What do I need to bring?
Your baby carrier (ideally one you are confident using, that will be comfortable and supportive to use for a low-impact dance class) and your drink bottle!
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for dancing in - you and your baby will both get warm during the class, so dress both you and your baby lightly - layers that you can remove before you start or during class are ideal.
How old does my baby need to be to attend the class?
It's recommended that your baby is at least six weeks old before starting DWMB. Mothers also need to be a minimum of six weeks post-partum and have been cleared to commence exercise by their GP or LMC . Those who have had caesarean sections will usually need to be twelve weeks post-partum.
What style of dancing is Dance With Me Baby?
Our style is a combination of hip-hop, jazz and street styles, with latin and even line-dancing (!) influences - all mish-mashed and modified to be easy-to-follow, and appropriate and safe to do while wearing your baby in a carrier. (For example, hand movements are limited in the routines, so that you always have a hand available to provide extra support for your baby's head). We dance to current pop, hip hop and R&B hits, as well as throwback songs and we also take requests! Because we're local and kiwi, we also incorporate plenty of awesome NZ music into our classes too.
Do I need to have dance experience?
Not at all! I keep the choreography pretty simple and easy-to-follow, with lots of repetition! The emphasis of the class really is on having fun and doing something physical and bonding with your little one, and meeting other like-minded parents while you do it, rather than learning complex choreography.
What kind of baby carrier can I use in the class?
You'll need a carrier that is comfortable for both you and your baby, and supportive enough to use while moving - DWMB encourages the use of ergonomic carriers that support the natural development of baby's hips and spine, and support the legs, holding them in an 'M' position with knees splayed out, facing inward towards the wearer. For more on this, check out our Babywearing Safety section.
I don't have a baby carrier, can I still attend the class?
Yes - contact me prior to class to arrange to borrow a carrier.
Is there any age limit in the class?
No - you are welcome to join for as long as you are comfortable carrying your child, either on your front, or in a back carry position as they get older. And of course, if your child doesn't want to be carried at any point, you are welcome just to keep dancing while they play, or watch, or join in beside you :-)
Can I bring my older child/ren?
Yes, older children are welcome to come along and either watch, or play, or join in!
How do you ensure the class is safe for me and my baby?
Making sure both parents and babies are safe during class is a high priority - at your first session, you will be asked to read and sign off a safety form. Every class begins with a short safety check to make sure both babies and parents are safe and comfortable. We take frequent breaks during the class for hydration. For more information on safety, check out our Babywearing Safety section. If you have any health concerns or issues, particularly those arising from pregnancy and childbirth, I recommend seeking some professional assistance from a postnatal fitness specialist, such as Kendra Wrigley of www.ladyfit.me - Kendra operates from her studio in Forrest Hill and offers one-on-one sessions as well as pairs or small groups.
How can I learn more about babywearing and baby carriers?
There are plenty of resources available if you would like to learn more about babywearing and the huge variety of different carriers on offer. Dance With Me Baby works closely with Sandy McGivern-Butler of Snuglove Babywearing - Sandy is a qualified Slingababy consultant and offers one-on-one babywearing consultancy services. She is also part of Babywearing North Shore - check them out and pop along to one of their monthly meet-ups to learn more about carriers and the different options available.
Can I try a class for free?
Absolutely! We offer a free trial class to everyone who comes along to try us out.
Have another question? Contact us
Babywearing dance was born out of the recent popularity of babywearing - the practice of keeping your baby or toddler close and connected to you as you go about your daily activities, through the use of a baby carrier or sling. It is a centuries-old practice, found in many different cultures around the world and has a multitude of benefits for both child and parent (more on this here). A babywearing dance class is a low-impact dance class designed for parents or caregivers to participate in whilst wearing their baby in a supportive carrier.
Where, when, and how much?
Dance With Me Baby (DWMB) is held during standard term times - currently we run a class in Milford on Wednesdays at 12.30pm, at the Milford Senior Citizen's Club Hall (next to Milford New World), 141A Kitchener Road, Milford.. Classes are $10 per session, or $8 per class with a 5 class concession pass ($40). And your first class is absolutely free!
Our Tuesday 12pm Hobsonville Point class is currently on hold - if you are keen to attend, please register your interest with me - it is possible that the class could be restarted if we have numbers.
Do I need to register?
No, no need to register - feel free to contact me with any queries prior to starting, but you are welcome to just come along to a class and try us out.
What do I need to bring?
Your baby carrier (ideally one you are confident using, that will be comfortable and supportive to use for a low-impact dance class) and your drink bottle!
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for dancing in - you and your baby will both get warm during the class, so dress both you and your baby lightly - layers that you can remove before you start or during class are ideal.
How old does my baby need to be to attend the class?
It's recommended that your baby is at least six weeks old before starting DWMB. Mothers also need to be a minimum of six weeks post-partum and have been cleared to commence exercise by their GP or LMC . Those who have had caesarean sections will usually need to be twelve weeks post-partum.
What style of dancing is Dance With Me Baby?
Our style is a combination of hip-hop, jazz and street styles, with latin and even line-dancing (!) influences - all mish-mashed and modified to be easy-to-follow, and appropriate and safe to do while wearing your baby in a carrier. (For example, hand movements are limited in the routines, so that you always have a hand available to provide extra support for your baby's head). We dance to current pop, hip hop and R&B hits, as well as throwback songs and we also take requests! Because we're local and kiwi, we also incorporate plenty of awesome NZ music into our classes too.
Do I need to have dance experience?
Not at all! I keep the choreography pretty simple and easy-to-follow, with lots of repetition! The emphasis of the class really is on having fun and doing something physical and bonding with your little one, and meeting other like-minded parents while you do it, rather than learning complex choreography.
What kind of baby carrier can I use in the class?
You'll need a carrier that is comfortable for both you and your baby, and supportive enough to use while moving - DWMB encourages the use of ergonomic carriers that support the natural development of baby's hips and spine, and support the legs, holding them in an 'M' position with knees splayed out, facing inward towards the wearer. For more on this, check out our Babywearing Safety section.
I don't have a baby carrier, can I still attend the class?
Yes - contact me prior to class to arrange to borrow a carrier.
Is there any age limit in the class?
No - you are welcome to join for as long as you are comfortable carrying your child, either on your front, or in a back carry position as they get older. And of course, if your child doesn't want to be carried at any point, you are welcome just to keep dancing while they play, or watch, or join in beside you :-)
Can I bring my older child/ren?
Yes, older children are welcome to come along and either watch, or play, or join in!
How do you ensure the class is safe for me and my baby?
Making sure both parents and babies are safe during class is a high priority - at your first session, you will be asked to read and sign off a safety form. Every class begins with a short safety check to make sure both babies and parents are safe and comfortable. We take frequent breaks during the class for hydration. For more information on safety, check out our Babywearing Safety section. If you have any health concerns or issues, particularly those arising from pregnancy and childbirth, I recommend seeking some professional assistance from a postnatal fitness specialist, such as Kendra Wrigley of www.ladyfit.me - Kendra operates from her studio in Forrest Hill and offers one-on-one sessions as well as pairs or small groups.
How can I learn more about babywearing and baby carriers?
There are plenty of resources available if you would like to learn more about babywearing and the huge variety of different carriers on offer. Dance With Me Baby works closely with Sandy McGivern-Butler of Snuglove Babywearing - Sandy is a qualified Slingababy consultant and offers one-on-one babywearing consultancy services. She is also part of Babywearing North Shore - check them out and pop along to one of their monthly meet-ups to learn more about carriers and the different options available.
Can I try a class for free?
Absolutely! We offer a free trial class to everyone who comes along to try us out.
Have another question? Contact us
Come along. |
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Come + groove with your bubba!
Wednesdays @ 12.30pm Milford Senior Citizens' Club Hall, 141A Kitchener Road, Milford |