9 weeks in Cardiff, 8 week old baby, Help!

[emwah74]

Hi
I moved to Cardiff 9 weeks ago and my first pregnancy came to an abrupt end a week later (placental abruption) meaning I didnt get a chance to settle inand meet other mums before my little boy came along; 8 weeks on, im shattered but in need of re entering the world and meeting other mums.
Im an older mum at 38 and wasnt prepared for motherhood as i thought id want to get back to work in Bristol soon, it seems ive decided that the career is nothing compared to being a mum so im readjusting my plans, I live in Llandaff North, any ideas on how I integrate myself in to life as a full time mum?

Thanks
Emma

[Puffin123]

Hi hun,
I'm new to mums net and am just on here to see if I can find any chat re primary schools in Cardiff centre, as we move there in 6 weeks. I wanted to reply as we are the same age lol. Hope you get some replies and find some groups to go to etc. it's usually worth getting down to your local library and the city centre library to see what stuff they have on. It can be hard getting to know people at times, especially if they've been here a while and already know their pregnancy friends, but you have a young baby there will be lots of people in the same boat it's just a case of meeting them. All the best, sorry I can't be of any help myself!

[brehinesybanedgoffi]

Hi Em
I live in Cardiff
Pm me any questions, am happy to help

[emwah74]

Thanks both its good to know there are people out there.
Bre. Id love to know, of the lists of classes/playgrs on this site, which are worth going to as a starting point.

Id love to speak with people who are in a similar position and have advice etc on things like routines, development and so on, am I right that playgroups will be the best place to start? Or are there alternatives?

thanks again for taking the time

E x

[Puffin123]

Is there a list of playgroups on this site? I'm finding it difficult to navigate! So used to Facebook these days! As I said, libraries are a good start as they usually have a singing / rhyme time session you can go to. The way I met people (in Swansea shhh don't tell anyone) was breast feeding support group for first few weeks, children's centre stay and play - this used to be run by sure start,but not sure who does it now, there's usually one in every town so should be at least one in Cardiff, baby swimming groups, there was one at the big leisure centre in town. Obviously I'm not there yet so don't know what's worth a visit, but I'd say get to as many as you can and then you can make your own mind up, also you then have a wide range of friends and contacts. Oh nearly forgot, one lady near my set up her own playgroup one morning a week and I met several people there too. It's an exciting but very tiring time! Good luck.

[bubblylittlebee]

Hi Emma. My little girl is 8 weeks old tomorrow. I have found it difficult to find stuff to do for newborns. It's either once a month or finishing as the term ends. However if you fancy meeting for a chat sometime let me know.

[emwah74]

Thanks puffin, im originally from swansea, though that was some time ago :) thanks for the info, im so hopeless at this stuff, really out of my comfort zone, I will aim to get to at least 1 group in whitchurch this week though. There is a list, its on the cardiff page, I dont know how to send you a link sorry but its a discussion where lots of people have added more each time.

Hi bubbly, a crazy 8 weeks hey? Have you been for jabs yet? Its so stressful. I agree its hard to find things, I was keen to go to baby bubbles but its from 3 months only. There seems to be something in ararat church 3 days a week, I may give that a go on Thursday. More than happy to meet up; somewhere cool would be great :) Where abouts in Cardiff are you?

[bubblylittlebee]

Hi,

Tell me about it - hardest 8 weeks of my life! Yes we had jabs on Monday - I think I cried more than she did.

I've never heard of Ararat church I will have to check that out.

I live in Splott but have a car so can get anywhere. I'm not sure where is cool at the moment but a coffee shop or the park would be ideal?

[Msturgess80]

Hi all I found Facebook groups are good and have different ages in them.
I. Have a page called mums and dads of caerphilly and surrounding areas
We have meet ups in caerphilly and Cardiff areas and the group has little babies upto about 4 yrs old. Plenty of people to ask questions to or meet.

[Puffin123]

Hi msturgess, I find Facebook groups great too, but not found any for Cardiff. Do you know of any?

[BristolShipShape]

Hi Im not in Cardiff, i'm in Newport but spend a lot of time there (in-laws) and in Bristol for work.

Have you asked your HV to recommend local baby groups? Mine did and I have a good group of "mummy" friends from it.

Cafe Junior //www.cafejunior.com is one of my favourite places - they have nice cake and even better a contained non soft play nightmare play area which you might not need now but give it 8 months!. They hold a variety of baby groups like baby massage and the NCT bumps and babies meet which should be good to meet people (I sound like a sales rep i'm not promise!).

For general baby discussions I would honestly honestly go with your gut and relax so no need to learn from others or books BUT for finding other mothers to generally whinge at who understand I found mum and baby groups perfect!

[Empross76]

Congrats on your baby!

I live in a nearby area of Cardiff. When I had my first DC 5 years ago there was a local First Time Parents class organised by all of the GP surgeries in the area. We were invited via our surgery when the babies were around 3 months old. It was run by Health Visitors and consisted of six sessions of one per week, lasting around an hour, where they gave us info about motherhood and we all just sat and chatted. Made some fab friends there. It may be worth checking with your surgery if they run something similar?

Local playgroups are great for meeting new mums. I don't know about Llandaff North but Canton has loads. The one in the Calvary Baptist Church on a Wednesday is very well thought of.

Canton is good for mums all round, actually. Chapter Arts Centre runs lots of classes - Monkey Music from 3 months old. Also Carry On Screaming where you and your baby can watch a movie. The cafe at Chapter is always full of mums.

Bambeans (play cafe) in Canton used to be good, although I haven't been since it had a refurb.

I hope that helps!

[pinkpanther79]

I live near Roath Park so a bit away from you, but there some good classes. Jolly Babies is at a few venues for £4 a week, I've heard good things about Tots Play (www.totsplay.co.uk) but haven't done it myself, from 5 months swimming lessons at local leisure centres, also libraries have free play and sing afternoons (Rhydypennau is Thursday from 2.30 I think, but there'll be lots nearer you).

Cardiff is great once they are mobile too, soft play in lots of leisure centres, Roath Park, Victoria Park and Whitchurch Park (behind library) have great play equipment plus there's loads of little parks with swings and slides dotted around. Parc Play Centre is really good value and there's Jump for if the weather is awful. Cardiff City Youth Club has just opened up off Ocean Way and that has soft play too.

[RadyrMum78]

Hi. Would also highly recommend Little Notes Music classes. Took my daughter when on mat leave and she loved it.

[HelenRogerstone]

Hi there, I hope you are a bit more settled in to Cardiff now, its a great place to live and for little ones.

If you would like to meet other new mummies there is a first time mums group in Thornhill Church Centre and also Latch On in Whitchurch run by the NCT.

Tots Play (mentioned above - www.totsplay.co.uk) do a course especially for young babies (Baby Development) and also classes for older babies and toddlers too so worth a look.

Good luck and welcome xx

[goldenhand]

Hi there!! Welcome to Cardiff! I moved here last year and had my little one shortly after so have been pretty busy since and still consider myself a newbie to Cardiff as opportunities to really explore it beyond the (numerous and excellent!) baby groups and classes have been limited. ;) I have met quite a few people since moving here but always keen to meet more new! If you'd like to meet up feel free to PM me. I work but only part time so have some days I can meet up. Do you drive and have a car? I've found that a car is pretty essential here. I'm in Rhiwbina.

[Lol1404]

Hi, I know this an old post, but I too am looking to meet other mums. I have a 4 month old daughter & live in Rhiwbina. I moved to Cardiff 4 years ago but am new to Rhiwbina. I have a lot of friends in work, but it's a bit lonely sometimes being on maternity leave when your husbands at work!!

If anybody knows of any new mum groups or coffee mornings, please let me know xx

[goldenhand]

Hi Lol1404 are you still watching this thread? I'm in Rhiwbina and happy to meet up if so.