mama & me - baby-wearing sling dance video & photoshoot

I first got to know Mama & Me when my youngest June was a little babe more than 3 years ago now. Baby-wearing dance wasn't something I'd heard about before but a friend who was on mat leave recommended I come along with her and from the first class I was hooked. The classes are just so fab, and became a total highlight of my mat leave week. I'm a big proponent of baby classes that focus on the mum rather than the baby, and Mama & Me classes are just that. Fun-filled, welcoming and packed to the brim with endorphins. I remember feeling slightly hesitant by the thought of dancing while wearing a sling (and feeling like I'd have two left-feet) but I needn't have worried. The instructors and other mums and parents are so friendly and formed a real community. Coffees/lunch/cake after class are open to all.

I've photographed family shoots for quite a few of the Mama & Me families and they all remark how welcome they were made to feel and how they've made friendships that they continue outside of the classes.

Another big plus of the classes are that all the instructors are qualified baby-wearing consultants. Lydia made some tweaks to my sling at the beginning of the first class that made all the difference to my comfort and poor sciatica-prone back. Mama & Me are part of The Parenting Collective CIC who offer a whole host of supportive groups during the fourth trimester and beyond - sling libraries, private consultations and breastfeeding support. You can find out more about The Parenting Collective CIC, the fantastic work they do and the top reasons I love baby-wearing in a blog I wrote here.

Check out the above video I collaborated with Mama & Me on to get a real taster of what a class is like. Below are some photos of classes too! Mama & Me have classes in Chorlton, Worsley, Monton, Horwich, Urmston, Prestwich and Bramhall.

Group of parents with babies enjoying interactive dance class.
A baby in a pink shirt peers over a parent's shoulder while being carried in a dark baby carrier.
Parent and baby bonding moment while practicing babywearing techniques.
A joyful group gathering showing support and connection during a babywearing meet.
Energetic dance movement captured during a babywearing fitness class.
Caregiver and child sharing a tender moment while using a structured baby carrier.
Enthusiastic participant dancing with baby in carrier at community dance event.
Parents and babies participating in a dance exercise class wearing baby carriers.
Baby in gray carrier looks on curiously during movement class.
Parents with babies in carriers gather during a parent-child fitness class.
Young child dancing in floral top and striped skirt during group dance class.
Baby in patterned shirt and blue shorts crawls on colorful playmat.
Dance instructor in black t-shirt leads class while demonstrating movements.
Parents and babies resting during exercise class in studio space.
A parent wearing a blue shirt tenderly gazes at their baby in a baby sling.