When Samara Hedges moved to the Shoalhaven in November last year, she set out to find new friends and activities for herself and her young son.
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It didn't come as easily as she'd imagined.
While she and now nine-month-old Quinn were spoilt for choice when it comes to mother's groups and facilities in Sydney, she found it more difficult to find those services in the local region.
The young mum had closed her fitness studio in Sydney to relocate to Tomerong with her husband and was keen to restart both her fitness, and her social circle.
"I looked for mum's and bub's classes and I couldn't find any," she said.
"I really thought 'how am I going to make friends?'
Not deterred, Samara has recently started running a baby-wearing fitness program, 'The Mum Bod', in Tomerong and Nowra.
She has her sights set on fostering a stronger mother's network in the Shoalhaven - and doesn't want anyone to miss out just because they may not have access to a baby carrier.
"I have recently received some generous donations from mothers in the Australian baby-wearing community; they have provided me with a library of different baby carriers so that I can provide free loan carriers to mothers who cannot afford their own," she said.
"I've also approached some local women's services to make it more accessible to more women who may benefit from the program."
Samara runs the program on Tuesdays from the Tomerong Hall between 10am to 11am and again on Wednesdays at the North Nowra Community Centre at the same time.
"There's no commitment, there's no sign-up, if your kid needs to sleep, that's fine and if you don't have a carrier, there's no shame because we have plenty," Samara said.
"I just want women to know about it and how to access it so we can foster a stronger mother's community."
Samara said the program offers a fun workout with bubs in the carriers, followed by some floor work while they have tummy time and a play with one another. Stretching and baby massage finishes the class.
"It's all about promoting bonding between local mamas and bonding with our babies also," Samara said.
For more information head to Facebook: facebook.com/themumbod