Why are baby groups not centred around the mother’s interests?

You see I disagree that can’t groups can’t be for the baby. I did baby signing and then actually went on to run some sessions when I had my second. The classes were great for both mum and baby. We learned the signs in class and got to practice them. Then we stayed for the cuppa and chat with other mums whilst babies laid on the mats and the crawlers began to explore. My baby was able to communicate with me by sign at 6 months for the basics. I made some great friends. We did other groups together such as sure start sessions as well. It was brilliant for Kyle mental health as well. When I had my second baby I struggled as toddlers weren’t always welcome at some of the baby classes so o didn’t go to as many and ended up dragging the baby to toddler stay and play type classes. She went to pre school as well but found the baby specific classes clashed with when she wasn’t in pre school.

I didn’t can’t the cinema - I think there were some baby friendly type classes available but to be honest I can watch films at home. The baby walking and exercise classes weren’t a think when mine were small but o might have added them into my week if they were available, but to be honest I was too knackered. I took myself off for alot of walks though.

I guess baby classes aren’t for everyone. I do think that getting them sat in circles singing and sharing story time did help with their attention skills when they started school. As a teacher I’ve seen alot of young reception kids who really can’t sit in a circle and sing/listen/take turns and those are the skills being developed early on many of the baby and toddler classes.

I went to a book group when I had a baby at the baby didnt come along there are lots of book groups around and other interest groups i dont see the point of a baby/mother book or sewing or art group as what is the point of the baby being there

I took the baby groups as there for parents to meet up

I assume the issue is mainly numbers. For a mother and baby group your market is all the mothers who have just had a baby, whether gym group, a music group or an art group it doesn't matter. Mothers aren't bringing their babies because thee baby is super into art. If you do a group driven by the interests of the mother you need mothers who have just had a baby and have an interest in whatever. That's going to cut your market significantly. It should work for things that aren't too specialist (Like the baby cinemas - I loved those. The rest were a bit of drag that I went to just to give structure to my day without having to think too hard!) but might be harder for something fewer women will actually want to do.

I think the book group sounds very feasible, though.

Wishing you all the best for the new baby, OP, and hope it's a massive success if you do end up starting a club of some sort.

I went to buggy bootcamp and post natal yoga and baby swimming. Met my best mum friends at baby swimming. I did nothing that required singing. But I did go to baby cinema a few times.

I began volunteering for a national mother and baby walking group a few months into my maternity leave and absolutely loved it. I got so much out of it in comparison to the sensory classes and it was free! Currently pregnant and get wait to start organising walks again.
Definitely make sure there are some activities for you this time.

I like the idea of mum-interest ones!

We never went to any baby classes.
DS was born during Lockdown 2020.
Glad I got away with it, if I’m honest!

Love this!

I actually have been thinking about setting up a crafts class where parents make personalised things for their kids.

i think it would have to be for quite young children that could be in a corner of the room, that weren’t on the move or it could get a bit dangerous with scissors etc

interested in anyone’s thoughts on whether it would appeal!

Used to live in Bristol and someone set up a Facebook group called 'Bristol hiker mums' or something like that.

Anyone was encouraged to organise a walk or outing, state how many people could join (if you were organising it you kinda acted as a guide so you needed to be confident with whatever size group could show up), when and where to meet etc. They had all sorts on there, from city centre tours to hikes into the Brecon beacons. However from that it also became about more than just hiking, going to craft cafes, galleries, daytime raves etc (very Bristol!)

I've moved from the city now and don't really feel I have enough local knowledge to set up something like that in my new location, but I think about it a lot and if it could possibly be something I could start as it was such a fabulous resource. The think I loved most about it was that it wasn't just a handful of admins organising stuff, anyone was welcome to take the initiative.

It was a spin off group from 'bristol hiker girls' who ended up doing all sorts including foreign trips or walks including overnight stays. Was really great!

Sounds good. You should definitely set one up

Our art galllery does a session where you put the babies on the floor with loads of toys etc and you can paint/charcoal/oil pastel. I LOVE it. Wish it was weekly.

I know I'm gutted DD really is probably too old now (almost walking).

I went to a daytime “language cafe” at the library to work on my languages. Not everyone had a baby but there were several of us.

I also went to scrabble club at a social centre. A mix of people with babies/toddlers and old people who liked scrabble and/or small children. It was a relief to not sing wheels on the bus. We kept going until my youngest started reception. The kids dozed or rolled around the floor playing or did jigsaws. I now have mad scrabble skillz.

My other fake toddler group was the crèche at the council leisure centre. I could leave DC to socialise/play and go for a swim or have a long shower.

loads around here

was at the cinema pretty much every Monday with the baby

there was a few comedy shows during the day in local pub

bring your baby yoga Thursdays

table quiz monthly in one of local pubs

even Was a wine tasting session I went to with wine and nibbles

i guess I’m lucky these are all within my area -I kinda just took that for granted that these things were all on?

I hope you find some options op!

I had my first baby in the winter and every Tuesday my NCT group would go to baby cinema then out for lunch and a glass of wine. Best time of my life 😂

I’m in a city but I did mum and baby exercise, parent and baby cross fit, baby cinema, parent and baby yoga.. we’re spoilt for choice here tbf

Sounds amazing! Actually my favourite baby group was mum and baby yoga. Meant I could keep up with my hobby in some form. I don't think babies need the sensory one, I just went to get out the house.

I know cinemas in my city do parent and baby screenings, definitely good while they're newborns! I never managed to go before mine was paying too much attention for me to be comfortable putting a TV on around him, but that was me.

There's also a good network of mums trying to exercise with their babies, walks and exercise classes adapted for having a pram or a carrier.

Parents for the Future - not a baby group but an organisation for parents concerned about climate change, family friendly events.

But yeah start one! Though I struggled to read since having mine, and I've always loved reading. Just so much brain fog and no hands. Maybe a book club would have motivated me though!

I live for baby cinema. Genuinely a joy 🤩

Glad it wasn't just me! In hindsight I was dreadfully depressed but this thing would happen where I'd be singing and then choke a bit and the song would come out like a gurgle and I knew I just had to leave before I embarrassingly start to cry. My little daughter would look up concerned like she knew (she was only 6-9m or so, she definitely didn't!).

I quickly got better when I did two things, I attended a birth trauma peer support group and went back to work. Thank goodness for work!

But then when I had my second I mostly avoided those groups, or took my 4yo with me and everything is more lighthearted with a 4yo in tow.

But yeah I think a pp mentioned the stay and plays at the children's centre - those were shut in lockdown with my first but they were good with my second. We left before the singing at the end. Really fab with no expectations of cheeriness, you could just sit and read a magazine if you wanted. Also free of charge so I didn't feel that misplaced waste of money guilt if I left early.

Me too. I thought I'd never fit in.
I found my tribe in the end - of non beatific mothers !
Still friends now 23 years later!

Thank you for expressing it like that. I’m old now but felt exactly like that 25 years ago when I watched all these mothers with beatific faces singing ‘wind the bobbin up’. I thought I was going mad and wondered what was wrong with me.

Our area has loads of the ones already mentioned. The main issue I had when I had two DC was that many of the more grown up friendly activities were only really suitable for babies and not a toddler - we couldn't do baby cinema anymore because the films weren't suitable for 3yo. I did a mum exercise class for years which was good fun and a church hall playgroup which was an easy cheap option.

I have great memories of buggyfit- I'd forgotten about that!

I saw loads. Buggy fit, mum and baby yoga, bring your baby pub quiz and wine tasting and cinema