Mums get their groove on with babies

Two Auckland women are helping new mums stay in shape by running baby-wearing dance classes.

Jody Stewart and Kim Seifu started the MotherFunk Baby Wearing Dance Class last month at the Onehunga Community Centre to help new mothers get out of the house and get their groove on with their babies.

Stewart and Seifu are both break dancers - they took part last year in the Battle of the Year dance competition under the crew name MotherFunk.

Stewart, 33, a Mangere Bridge resident and mother of three children, said they realised their crew name meant so much more than just a dance competition entry name.

‘‘It’s a whole philosophy where mums get out and keep doing the things they love doing even after they become mothers,’’ Stewart said.

‘‘We decided that we could start a baby-wearing dance class because we love to dance and it would be something that we could give to mums, new mums especially, to help them get out of the house and not worry about childcare.’’

The Wednesday hour-long classes have been a big hit since starting.

Mums, with their babies worn in a front or back-pack carrier, dance hip hop and a bit of salsa to pop, reggae and old-school funk music.

Toddlers head along, too, and are left with toys to entertain them while their mums dance.

‘‘It allows mums to get out with their babies and toddlers, meet other mums, get some exercise and have fun doing it.

‘‘The mums have told us how much they’ve enjoyed the class. They’ve said it’s not difficult and their babies are happy to come along.’’

Stewart said having a baby should not discourage new mums from getting out.

They hoped their MotherFunk Baby Wearing Dance Class would continue to grow and make mums realise that their life does not have to pause after they give birth.

‘‘I just want to encourage any mums who are reading this to keep going and to make time for yourself to enjoy the things you loved doing before you became a mum.

‘‘Don’t lose your MotherFunk.’’ Classes are every Wednesday at 10am at the Onehunga Community Centre.

The baby wearing dance class is growing in popularity and there’s still room for more mums, even dads, to join.