When did you start going to Mothers and Toddlers group?

[sharond101]

DS coming up on 5 months and my Mother insists I should go to a Mothers and Toddlers group. I thought these were for older children? What age did you start taking your LO?

[Meglet]

DS was such a grizzly little soul I went along when he was about 6 months as I figured all the big children would be louder than him so no one would bat an eyelid at a grumpy baby.

They're not very exciting places and the tea isn't great. But it's a nice way of getting to know local parents and their children, and potential school friends in years to come.

[mumah]

Our local surestart had great groups for younger bubs. Something along the lines of 'New Parent's' groups are usually perfect ages for smaller ones and ours offered a 'bf cafe' basically a mum and baby group that had a couple of bf specialists on hand if you had any questions but this was perfect for DS till he was about 8/9months.

[BadRoly]

I went when dc1 was 6 weeks old because we moved town the day before she was born and I knew no one. My brilliant HV suggested I go to make friends and it worked for me!

[naturalbaby]

I had a lovely baby group nearby that I used till ds1 turned 12months, then we all went to the toddler group round the corner.
The children's centre has a baby group which was really nice. I needed to go to socialise - for me, not my baby!

Why does your mother insist? If you've been happy without for the last 5 months then you might as well wait till you've got a proper toddler!

[Lakota]

About 6 weeks! But i'd had a c-sec and didn't know any other mums or have any mates with children - I was desperate for a change of scene and a chat. He mostly slept and got held a bit!

[JollyToddler]

We went to baby groups from about 4 months - it took me until then to get organised enough to get to them.

Started going to toddler groups at about 8 months but there are much younger babies there too.

[BertieBotts]

I used to go pretty much from newborn - got me out of the house!

Started out just meeting the other NCT mums in Starbucks, which progressed to round each others' houses once the babies started crawling. Continued this until I started uni when DS was 2 years old and it clashed, but still see them semi-regularly now DS is 4.

Also did bumps and babies (NCT run) which was weekly in a church hall, until DS was 6 months and too old.

After that used to sporadically attend a 0-1s group, but that was a bit cliquey. Didn't really go to anything regularly until I left XP (DS 13 months old) and needed to make some new friends and get out the house, and we went to the local Children's Centre religiously every weekday morning apart from Wednesdays when there was nothing on. This was an absolute lifeline, I get a bit choked up if I properly think about the friends I made in that time, even though I barely see any of them now it was just an utter utter lifeline to normality in a really weird and unsettled part of my life.

[Flisspaps]

Never. I can't imagine anything worse.

[nailak]

as young as poss i say, babies love being there, watching the kids etc

[GragPop]

7 months, mil takes him.

[beela]

We started at around 8 months I think, when he started paying attention to other children.

But remember that you are in charge and not your mother - don't go if you don't want to!

[Firawla]

dc1 when he was about 1 year old, after that i wished i had started taking him younger but like you i thought its for bigger ones (ie toddlers not babies)

dc2 i took pretty much soon as he was born, as i was going with dc1 anyway

dc3 soon as he was born too, but hardly going at the moment

if you want to give it a try i would try to find under 1s stay and play it will be good for your babies age, and nice to sit and chat with other mums.its more relaxing than the mixed age if you have only the 1 young one

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

After about 6 weeks. Most playgroups have bouncy chairs for small babies and toys and you get some adult company and usually a cuppa too.

Have a look to see if your local nct has a group that meets up in your area too. Usually the groups are smaller and you get to meet local mums with babies about the same age as yours.

Don't go if you don't want to though, they aren't compulsory and there are so many other things you can do with LO like music groups/swimming/free library sessions/tumble tots etc plus all the stuff you can do at home.

at Fliss.

[MillyStar]

My daughter is 5 months and we've been going for about a month

There's a baby section with play gyms etc which she loves as they are different to the two we have at home, she loves just sitting on my knee watching the older kids aswell, they do half an hour of singing at the end and she smiles at all the other mums and the songs which is really cute.

It's good for you aswell as it gets you chatting to other mums

[AngelDog]

11 months as that was when I could get DS to nap in the pram on the way, but if he'd slept on the move sooner I'd have gone from birth, which lots of people I know do.

[Bigwheel]

About 3 weeks for the local baby groups, massage, music ones etc aimed at under 1s. About 3 months for swimming groups, and around a year for your more active toddler groups. I know there not everyone's cup of tea but I would of gone mad in the house all day, it's also a great way of making new friends. Why not give it a go, say for 4 weeks to give it a chance and see what you think?

[ConstantCraving]

Begrudgingly started going now DD is 2.9 - she seems as disinterested in them as I am. No point going with a baby really - unless you want the company. They won't get much out of it til they are much older and really don't need to go there for stimulation - they get more from being read to, sung to, taken to see the ducks etc..

[MarjorieAntrobus]

I went when DC1 was 9 weeks old because I was bored and lonely. I thought it might operate like a cocktail party ie everybody bright and chirpy and ready to chat. Actually it was incredibly cliquey and unfriendly.

The lovely leader (vicar's wife) whom I already knew made it bearable and she introduced me to some other friendly types.

It was fine in the end, but not at all what I expected. DC1 is nearly 22 now, btw.

[poppy283]

As soon as Dd stopped having her nap at the time they were all on! So about 14 months

[lola88]

I went abotu 7 weeks i loved it and so did DS. When he was tiny would just watch everyone and now he's 8 months and loves to play with the toys and see all the people, since they all know him he gets lots of attention which he basks in :) I know a lot of people say it doesn't matter for babies but mine enjoys it so much and i think it has done him good to be around other people and children.

I met 1 really good friend there a few nice people and some others who i'm not overly friendly with but i will say hi too. It's a nice to sit and talk to people who are where you are not someone who had xyz problem 10 years ago. Just don't go expecting to be friends with everyone and you'll be fine.

[ceeveebee]

About 6 months, when they could sit up properly, as tricky to manage two othereise (twins). Before then I just used to meet with other mothers eg NCT friends, twin network friends for walks, lunch, coffee etc.

I think they are better for older babies (crawling/walking) as they can use the big toys like rideons. I always found the baby area at playgroups to be full of broken toys and things that were not quite as nice as at home so why bother!

[attheendoftheday]

When dd was about 4 weeks. I was lonely and wanted to meet other local parents.

[Fairylea]

Never.

Well actually I went once and hated it so much I never went back.

Dd is 9 now and very popular and sociable so I don't think it's done her any harm !

[MoelFammau]

17 months on and I've so far not set foot in one. Not a group type, that's all.

[JellicleCat]

About 3.5 months. I met a lot of friends, Great way to meet other Mums.