BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky (WBKO) – Want to get some exercise while taking advantage of the unique opportunity to spend time with your baby?

On Saturday, a group of moms were able to do just that by attending a baby dance class hosted by Flora Nye, owner of You & I BGKY. The classes are designed for baby and toddler carriers, as well as pregnant moms who want to build a closer bond with their baby.

“I started doing this in 2017 and then life got in the way, and then COVID came along, and more life got in the way and I’m finally getting back into it,” Nye said.

She said the idea to organize a class for mothers in Bowling Green came to her after she saw a Facebook post from a California-based organization.

“I saw a Facebook video for Ice, Ice Baby in 2016 that went viral, so it was eight years ago now, and I thought, this is great. I have to get involved,” she said.

The course also included a baby carrier fit check – a prerequisite for attending the course. Before the course began, Nye took the time to make sure each baby was secure and correctly seated in their carrier and that the mother was comfortable.

“I come over and say, ‘Okay, you know, it’s time for a fit check. Let’s see.’ A lot of moms aren’t familiar with all the bells and whistles, the buckles and snaps, and it overwhelms them,” Nye said.

After the checks were completed, the group spent the next 30 minutes to an hour learning the choreography to Ice Ice Baby. Nye added that one of her favorite parts of the class was toward the end, when all of the moms were comfortable with the choreography and surrendered to the music.

“We were all moving in kind of sync and everyone was really into it. I saw the parents getting into it and exaggerating the dance moves and it gave me so much joy to see how much fun they were having,” she said. “There was a lot of giggling from the parents and the babies and all the other children we had.”

Nye also said that the fact that the moms were just having fun and not worrying about their appearance was one of the reasons she chose a location without mirrors.

“When you look in the mirror, you’ll think, ‘Oh no, I’m not doing it right. Nobody cares what you look like. We’re just here to have fun,'” she said.

In total, about 15 mothers and babies took part and at the end of the course about half of the babies were asleep.

“Their heartbeat is regulated because we’re dancing with the baby and keeping our distance so we’re heart to heart because the baby is your dance partner. So they feel regulated and beautiful and secure in their carriers and that puts them right to sleep,” Nye said.

If you missed the Saturday class and would like to attend one or learn more about babywearing, click here. You can also email Flora Nye at [email protected].

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