Why I dance with my baby before bed...

There’s a time of day I’ve come to really look forward to—when dinner and bath time is done is done, and we take a few minutes to dance around the room. No routine, no rules. Ju

st moving, laughing, and letting go of all the energy the day has built up. It’s a chance to reconnect before the quiet of bedtime, and it’s become one of the most grounding parts of our day.

Dancing Boosts Oxytocin and Connection

Physical closeness, gentle touch, and shared movement all help to release oxytocin—the "bonding hormone." This feel-good chemical not only deepens our connection, but also calms the nervous system. For babies and parents alike, that soothing sense of safety can make all the difference before bedtime.

Dancing together creates a quiet ritual of presence. Eye contact, soft giggles, and warm cuddles in motion remind your baby that they are loved, safe, and seen—setting the stage for more restful sleep.

A Gentle Way to Release Energy

After a full day of exploring the world, babies can become overstimulated or unsettled. For parents, the bedtime rush can bring its own kind of stress. Dancing provides a physical and emotional release—for both of you. It’s a way to move through the tension, to laugh, to breathe, and to arrive together in the calm of the evening.

The Benefits of Dancing with Your Baby

Dancing isn’t just fun—it’s full of developmental and emotional benefits. At Groove and Grow, we focus on how movement supports both babies and parents. Here are just a few of the reasons we love it:

1. Deepening the Parent-Child Bond: Dance offers meaningful opportunities for connection—through physical closeness, rhythm, and shared joy.

2. Supporting Baby’s Development: Rhythmic movement helps develop motor skills, coordination, and sensory processing. Music and repetition also boost brain development.

3. Boosting Parental Well-being: The movement, music, and endorphins of dance help reduce stress and lift your mood—especially on tough days.

4. Building a Village: Our group classes, like Baby Dance Club™, provide a space to meet other parents, share experiences, and feel supported in community.

5. Encouraging Joy and Creativity: Movement is one of the first ways babies express themselves. Dancing with them celebrates that joy—and shows them how beautiful it is to move freely.

6. Supporting Better Sleep: When made part of a bedtime routine, dancing can help your baby feel relaxed, secure, and ready for sleep.

Join Us at Groove and Grow

If you’ve ever felt the need for a moment of lightness, connection, or movement in your parenting day, you’re not alone. Our Baby Dance Club™ classes offer a chance to share these joyful moments in a community of like-minded parents. Whether you’re grooving before bedtime at home or dancing it out with us in class, you’re doing something wonderful—for your baby, and for yourself.

Let dance be your reset. Come groove and grow with us.