A popular Gold Coast dance class is drawing in participants with an added extra — lycra mums can have their babies strapped to them as they bust moves and sing along.
Local dance instructor Teleah Lindenberg had a revelation after having daughter Presley 10 months ago.
"I wanted to do something and dance with her and I couldn't find anything like it around and I thought 'You know, I'm just going to start it myself'," Ms Lindenberg said.
"You can bring your own wrap or carrier; you wear them.
Stepping up while baby snoozes
The "Mums n Bubs" dance class is still a high-energy, hour-long workout.
Surprisingly, most babies sleep through it despite Ms Lindenberg's loud and encouraging instructions, bright multi-coloured lights, and pulsating music.
"Eighty per cent of babies in the carriers sleep and the rest of them are smiling and laughing," she said.
"We have a do-whatever-you-like policy here, so if you need to stop and feed baby or change a nappy you normally have three or four others to help.
"It's the only place that mums come and they say there's not a crying baby in the room."
Nurturing network
Mahala Wills has been doing the classes since baby Lyla was four weeks old.
"It's so fun, so infectious. We're singing along in the car on the way here and home," Ms Wills said.
Natalie Myers rocks with baby Owen but alongside is six-year-old Mary mimicking her mum with her doll strapped in a pouch.
Chad Lane was eager to fill in for his wife with baby Beetson.
"I've come down to give it a go because he loves it," Mr Lane said.
The dancing and communal bonding restored Georgina Tamati's self-confidence.
Desperately missing her family in Ireland, Sinead O'Sullivan was dealt a series of blows in two years.
Both her parents died, the COVID virus hit, and she suffered severe postnatal depression after having baby Cillian.
"I was in a really dark place but luckily I feel much better now," Ms O'Sullivan said.
