Am I mean to not take baby to classes?

[freemefromacne]

I have a 10 week old baby. If I had a pound for every time someone has asked ‘what classes are you doing with him?’... and then there’s the look of disapproval when I say ‘none’.

I’m sure baby sensory, sing and sign etc etc are great, but I have no desire to fill my days with these classes yet. Baby seems happy kicking about on his play mat at home, going for walks in the pram, and sleeping. He can go to classes when he’s a bit older and can actually stay awake to appreciate them. It doesn’t help that DS is at his happiest when he can kick about with no clothes on, which would probably be frowned upon in public.

I do worry that I’m being mean though. I’ve been a nanny for so many years pre-baby and attended so many of these bloody classes that I feel my tolerance for them has worn out already. Poor DS.

[Mummy428]

I agree they are more for the parent than the child at that age, but I disagree with anyone who says they are useless. I enjoyed mine. I was not a confident mum and was really unimaginative when it came to playing with my baby, so the classes taught lots of things. And it was helpful for me to see parents with similar aged babies and I'd always learn something new from them. But trying to stick with regular classes could be stressful and I skipped quite a few when I was still adjusting to being a mum.

[TheWomanin12B]

It's nice to get out of the house, but I hated classes and found no real benefit to them.

It doesn't seem to have caused them any harm, unless maybe this is why the eldest is a stereotypical Kevin the teenager?!

I think they can be a waste of money if you are fine under your own steam.

I went to Baby Sensory once and absolutely hated it. So much frigging noise and stimulation for a small quiet being that can't really register their discomfort.

I did like Baby Massage though. That was good.

[crazychemist]

I think health visitors encourage it, but only so that you’re getting out of the house occasionally. Your baby will be happy without classes! I liked going to one a week at that stage because I could meet other mums and hear what was normal for that age of baby as I’d had little to do with babies before I had my own.

Later on I think they enjoy seeing other toddlers, especially by the time they are 2, but if they are happy they don’t need organised classes. The washing machine is pretty great entertainment at that age, as are trees moving in the breeze, a pet etc etc.

[1forAll74]

I used to go to a Mother and baby/toddler group many many years ago, It was more for the Mothers, to get out for a couple of hours,, to talk,and compare their babies achvievements and baby clothes It was in a little village where I iived then, and it was ok for a while, but I was never overly fond of other peoples children.or all the baby talk.

[Samind]

I take mine to baby yoga as she struggled with digestive issues and it's really helped her and she likes all the attention and chat she gets. But tbh if she hadn't of had said issue then I wouldn't of bothered. I don't need to meet new people either bit it has helped her. I think from HV visitors point of view is possibly to eliminate potential post partum anxiety/depression but random people asking you is silly. Do what suits you and baby

[bigbluebus]

Does a 10 week old baby need classes?
I thought you were supposed to start playing Mozart to them in the womb now so surely at 10 weeks old they should be ready to start playing an instrument?

Seriously there is absolutely no need to take a baby that small to any classes unless you are looking for a reason to get out of the house.

The only thing I took my 2 to was baby massage - and that was only because it was a friend of mine who ran it.

[freemefromacne]

I’m glad I’m not the only one. I took DS to the supermarket this morning. What with the interesting lights on the ceiling, the rustling of packets as I put them in the trolley, and the movement of the trolley, he was fascinated. It’s the first time he hasn’t slept through it all. Who needs baby sensory when you have Sainsbury’s

[Butteredghost]

They aren't necessary at all. Nothing wrong with them either, of course. If people enjoy them, great! They help you meet other adults, get out of the house and give a bit of structure to the day. Personally they aren't for me though.

[Aarghineedaname]

I used to take my DS but he was 2 by then. He enjoyed it as he was able to run around and play. I have a 5 month old baby as well. We don’t go to any classes. We just go for walks or play on the mat at home. I think 10 weeks is still very young and your baby certainly won’t know what’s happening around him.

[SosigDog]

Classes are more for you to talk to other parents. I felt my LO was too small to get any benefit out of them before the age of about 1yo. He wasn’t able to interact with the other kids, we might as well be at home on our own. Also I was told by a GP friend that the trend of taking small children to classes and soft play has led to more illness in that age group, because they’re being exposed to older kids and germs, whereas previously they’d have been more isolated.

[Heyha]

I have searched high and low for things to do when my first arrives, that won't do my head in (sorry baby but I'll be better at being your mum for it, I promise). I've found a local walking group for people who happen to have babies, you can take your dog and they have cake after the walk. So I'm definitely going to that one!

But I don't think I could handle messy play, baby music group type of stuff. I am going back to work when DC is 7 months old so am assuming those three days a week at nursery will provide plenty of stimulation so we can do more low-key stuff at home and with family and friends. Who knows how it will pan out, of course!

[Heartofglass12345]

I never bothered until my son was around 14 months and nearly walking. I find it hard to talk to strangers and he actually wanted to join in with stuff by then.

[chocolatelog]

I didn't do any groups with my older 3, not even when they was toddlers 🙈

I did with the other 2 but not until they were 6 months old.

10 weeks is a bit young and pointless in my opinion.

[northdownmummy]

Absolutely do not feel guilty. It sounds like you're doing what suits you both. I always felt that classes were more about adult company for me than what my DD got out of attending. Trust your instinct