What happens in a babywearing dance class for your baby? We’re joined by Suzy Young, founder of Dance Baby Dance, who’s here to explain exactly what a babywearing dance class is, and why it’s so great for parents and their babies.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler?
There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
So What Is A Babywearing Dance Class?
A babywearing dance class is exactly what it says on the tin! If you’ve joined the growing number of families who have discovered the joy of carrying their baby in a sling or carrier as I have, then you have been babywearing too. And there are some wonderful classes to enjoy while doing so. Dance Baby Dance babywearing dance classes are choreographed specifically for you to do while wearing your baby in a sling or carrier.
What Inspired You To Create Babywearing Dance Classes?
I started teaching babywearing dance classes in 2023 after finding that my little boy didn’t want to be put down in other classes. So we were struggling to find local classes to suit our needs. As a dancer and dance teacher I knew there was a way I could create exactly what I had been looking for myself. We’ve since welcomed over a hundred families through our doors: mums, dads, grandparents and carers all enjoy a boogie while wearing their baby!
What Does A Typical Babywearing Dance Session Look Like?
A babywearing dance session always starts with some music. I like to play David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’ while I set up the space and then I welcome our dancers. I catch up briefly with returning dancers and introduce myself to new attendees, showing them our cosy corner for feeding, playing and changing. We’ll then don our carriers and our little ones. We do a gentle warm up together to get comfortable in the space, with the group, and in our own bodies. I tend to have a teddy bear named Maurice as my glamorous assistant!
More often than not little ones are either kicking their legs happily along to the music or fast asleep while we dance, though I am always sure to remind everyone to go at their own pace, and stop to feed, change, adjust or rest as needed. It’s so important to listen to our bodies and our babies.
What Sort Of Music Do You Play At A Babywearing Dance Session?
I usually choreograph gentle dance moves to a couple of different songs that I personally enjoy dancing to. Recently we’ve danced to Dua Lipa’s ‘New Rules’, Bruno Mars ‘24k Magic’ and The Marvelettes ‘Please Mr. Postman’. And our Christmas playlists have been so much fun to put together as well. I make sure that the moves are comfortable and practical to do while babywearing. Our classes are accessible for complete beginners as well as enjoyable for practised dancers.
What Happens At The End Of A Babywearing Dance Class?
We’ll always warm down at the end of the class to a chill tune like ‘Waterfalls’ by TLC, or something from All Saints or Etta James. I like to finish by taking some cleansing breaths together with the group. The music rarely stops in a Dance Baby Dance class, but after half an hour everyone is ready for a break. Then it’s just lovely chatting to the parents, spending time with the little ones and catching up after class.
What Are The Benefits Of Dance Baby Dance Babywearing Classes?
The benefits of babywearing dance classes are wide-ranging and far reaching. If, like me, you are the parent or carer of a baby who really doesn’t like to be put down, then this is the class for you. You’ll be enjoying the music and the moves, while baby enjoys being rocked – dare I say – to sleep! So while you exercise your body and mind, baby is having a lovely, snuggly bonding time with you and enjoying the music. All this while you’re learning short routines and finding your flow.
‘This class is so good for my mental health!’ is one of my favourite quotes from a lovely dancer who joined us with her baby this year. It’s something we hear often at Dance Baby Dance classes. There’s nothing quite like dancing with others to great music, and there are strong links between dance and improvements in mental health. I really try to make sure people are having fun rather than struggling to keep up or focusing too much on what they look like. Dancing should be about what you feel like. And I want my dancers to feel good!
What Should I Keep In Mind When Joining A Babywearing Dance Class?
Just keep in mind that you should be comfortable and confident with babywearing to join a class. While I am an experienced dancer and babywearer, I am not a babywearing consultant. I like to recommend the wonderful South London Slings if people want more advice about carriers which would suit them best overall, or further information about babywearing as safely, confidently and comfortably as possible. South London Slings offer a fantastic local service which helped me out so much with my own babywearing journey. We also link to the T.I.C.K.S rule for safe babywearing in all of our babywearing class descriptions.
What If I Don’t Want To Wear My Baby During Class?
You can carry your baby rather than wear them during class if you like. Or you can even leave your baby sleeping in full sight in the pram if they are napping when you arrive, though you’ll also want to bring your sling or carrier. And it’s advisable to wear loose, comfortable clothing and trainers in our church hall venue or soft soled dance shoes or socks in our studio venues, so that you are comfortable while you dance. A bottle of water doesn’t go amiss either as sometimes we can get a little sweaty!
What If I’m Running Late To Class?
Running late? Please join us anyway, you’d be so welcome. It’s absolutely fine to join us after the start of class, even if it’s just for the final number. Getting out of the house with a little one is tough, especially in chillier weather, but getting out everyday is so good for your mental health. Come and see us, have a boogie, chat to some other parents. I assure you it will improve your mood!
Do I Need Previous Dance Experience To Join A Babywearing Dance Class?
You do not need to have any previous dance experience to join a babywearing dance class. In fact many of my dancers have come in and stated they have ‘two left feet’ or ‘can’t learn choreography’ only to be totally surprised by how much they end up enjoying themselves and slaying those moves. We’re not here to judge anyone’s mad skills – we can’t exactly break dance if we’re making sure babies are safe while we dance. This is a fun form of light exercise. You might be moving your body in new ways, but we will not be busting out moves that injure or harm anyone.
Why Should I Join You At A Dance Baby Dance Class?
You’ll be filled with joy as you strut across the hall to Beyoncé with an amazing group of other mums, dads and babies strutting right along beside you! It’s honestly such a dream to meet and dance with new families. I’ve had people travel in from all over London to attend classes. Many people return week after week with their baby, even claiming Dance Baby Dance classes to be a favourite baby class! It’s such a wonderful thing to hear. And you’d be amazed at how many babies have taken a nap while we’re dancing along to Shakira!
What Do You Love About Teaching Babywearing Dance Classes?
I love teaching these dance classes. While it can be a bit emotional seeing little ones grow up, or parents wave goodbye as their maternity or paternity leave comes to an end, it’s such a privilege to teach new and amazing families each week. I am so excited to continue bringing Dance Baby Dance classes for babywearers and Toddler Jam! sessions to Crystal Palace in 2025. I’d love to have a boogie with you at a class soon, bookable here via Happity, of course.
With Thanks To Suzy Young – Dance Baby Dance
Suzy Young, founder of Dance Baby Dance, is a mum, dancer and dance teacher from London. She founded Dance Baby Dance in 2023, which runs babywearing dance classes and toddler movement classes for families at Toddler Jam! Suzy has been living in Crystal Palace for over a decade, and has found it a wonderful place to bring up her son, Teddy, who is two-and-a-half. Her husband Matt is a freelance producer who has designed the amazing artwork and website for Dance Baby Dance.
Suzy is also a Sing and Sign teacher and facilitates a local meet-up group called ADHD Mums Connect for mums identifying as having ADHD.
Find a Dance Baby Dance class on Happity today!
0 Comments