“It was always the plan with my husband Todd to be a stay-at-home mum for a year while he worked as a sharemilker on the family farm.
Originally from Australia, I met my husband while travelling in the US. In 2010, after exploring much of North and South America together, we decided to settle in New Zealand.
Our 127-hectare piece of land in coastal Taranaki, 45 minutes south of New Plymouth, is where Todd grew up. With his parents planning to retire, it was the perfect opening for us to give farming a go – although my background is in hotel management!
Three months after the birth of our daughter Payton, an opportunity arose that was too good to refuse.
I’d had a difficult day with Payton (now five months), as she was suffering from bad reflux. While chatting to my friend in Australia, she recommended I try Kangatraining – a postnatal workout designed for mums to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, abdominals and back, all while comfortably wearing their babies.
She said having her little boy upright in the sling while she worked out seemed the best way to relax him and sort out any wind issues. She sent me the DVD and, sure enough, the next time Payton had reflux, I did the workout and she promptly fell asleep. Afterwards, Payton was happy and ready to play.
Bernetta plans to run classes in Opunake, New Plymouth and Hawera.
That night, I decided that I’d become an instructor and teach other mums about Kangatraining. It’s a job in which I can keep my baby with me at all times, but also contribute financially to my family.
As well as the benefits for my little girl, it was my background in dance (including ballet, tap, salsa and hip-hop), which I had been doing since I was six years old, that attracted me to the exciting, music-based programme. I also missed the social aspect of people-oriented roles and saw working as a Kanga instructor as a great way to get back into doing what I love.
To make sure I was fully qualified to teach the programme, I headed to Australia for an intensive five-day training course, as well as another three-day venture to become a babywearing consultant – one of just two in New Zealand (the other woman, The Sling Lady, is in Christchurch).
Much like a personal trainer, I had to undergo exams on anatomy, postnatal health and first aid. It’s important to understand my clients’ bodies after giving birth to determine at what stage they can engage in the course – there’s a minimum of six weeks from the baby’s birth before you can start doing Kangatraining. For those who have undergone a Caesarean, it can be up to 12 weeks.
The workout is based on both mother and baby using their weight in the carrier to strength train. For me, it’s quite comfortable carrying my daughter, who is 7kg. However, a tiny 1.52m woman wouldn’t carry a 20kg child, so it really depends on the individual. I had one woman in our photoshoot carry her three-year-old, who was 19kg (the recommended packs can carry up to 20kg) and she really enjoyed it.
If a child decides they don’t want to be carried for the entire class, you can do the class on your own and it is still a great workout.
For Bernetta, Kanga is a great way to earn money, look after Payton and get fit all at once!
A few friends have joined me in trying out the Kangatraining DVD and all of them have really enjoyed it. I plan to run classes in Opunake, New Plymouth and Hawera.
Currently, there seems to be this stigma in New Zealand about babywearing – it’s often treated as a bit unusual and “hippie-ish” – but I hope to show people it is totally natural to wear your baby and has many benefits for the wearer and the child.
I also hope to educate them on the right carriers to choose, to ensure your baby is in an “M” position (knees splayed out, and facing inward). Some commercial brands
can be ill-fitting and increase the risk of hip dysplasia, something I was conscious of as it runs in our family. It’s a balance between giving advice and encouraging babywearing without making parents worry they may hurt their child.
Kangatraining is a blessing for both mums and bubs, as the movements, the rocking and dancing are so natural. Whenever Payton is upset, she goes in the baby carrier and we have a bit of a boogie. It’s also amazing to see how toned you become – I’ve even managed to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. But I’m not doing it for weight-loss. There’s enough going on as a mum without worrying about my body.”
As told to Laura Weaser
