To just stay in and cuddle my baby?

[Jsa1980]

I've been psyching myself up to attend at least one baby group with 7 week old DS as I'm becoming more and more socially isolated as the weeks go on. Sometimes the only person I speak to is DP for three days straight.

BUT it's cold, raining and me and DS are cuddled up on the sofa, he's just smiling and laughing(okay it's probably wind) and making snuffling noises.

So WIBUR to just stay in or do I need to kick myself up the arse, get dressed and go to bumps and babies (and hope it's not as awful as it sounds)

I think you should make the effort to give it a go, especially as you are feeling socially isolated.

Stop somewhere on the way back and have a coffee and cake somewhere. Enjoy!

7 weeks? Hell yeah. Unless you want to go. It's not compulsory.

Go out. Hard work but worth it in the long termm

If you feel up to it go if not there's nothing wrong with staying in I've only just been taking my baby girl out to groups in the last few weeks and she's 4.5 months

I was going to say YANBU, I still do this sometimes with DS2 and he is two! Although we do have to drag ourselves to collect DS1 from school :)

The only thing I would say is, only you know if you are genuinely struggling a bit (in a PND kind of way) or whether you just don't like the idea of groups.
I started going to one thing when DS1 was about 8/9 weeks old (before that I was still really unwell after my section with an infection), and it did help me to start bringing a bit of structure to my week. I also met a lovely women who has become one of my best friends so that was an added bonus!

If you don't go out to this bumps and babies, are there other things that you do with your week? Visit any family? You need to have some conversation, otherwise you will retreat further into yourself which isn't a good thing.

Go out - but it doesn't have to be to the baby group. It can really buck you up to get out on your own for the first time - its a lot of effort, but you'll get lots of cooing from people. Go and have a coffee - or brave the baby group. You may meet a lifelong friend there - or your baby might.

Don't forget that these places can be daunting, but underneath everyone feels a bit like that - even if they don't look it. Promise. I found that if I ever admitted to issues with my baby others admitted all sorts - does my baby sleep though, colic, feeding, teething, weaning, toilet training - it all comes out of the woodwork. the veneer is fairly thin - and sharing these sorts of things is really helpful if someone else is at the same stage too.

I'd say a trip out is always a good idea. Isolation is pernicious and can creep up on you from nowhere with a new baby.

I do try to get out with him once a day in the main, even if it's just to the supermarket.

I'll probably chicken out of the group today but I will pop into the local children's centre (which is on the ground floor of my flats!) and see what other classes or groups they do.

Coffee and cake is a good idea, there is a lovely baby friendly cafe by me but I've never been brave enough to go in (DS is a bit of a screamer).

I don't think YABU... Mostly because that is what I am doing too.

My DS is 8 weeks and I've been to a few groups but didn't really enjoy them. Everyone seems to know each other (I'm new in the area so I don't know anyone)

I'm perfectly happy having chilled days with my little boy. I feel bad like I'm missing out and that I haven't met anyone who is likely to be a best friend forever... But to be honest, I'm not trying very hard either.

Maybe tomorrow...!

Ps I now really fancy cake!

Doris - you sound like me. I know I need to try harder!

I've just been down to the children's centre and signed up for baby massage at £2.50 a session. I've paid for the 4 week course so now I'm going to have to go. They also do swimming at the local school pool for £1! I was really impressed, they have so much going on and it's all so cheap, I thought these sorts of things were much more expensive.

Ps - I'm now off for cake!

Ah well done JSA- I am inspired- there are baby massage courses here too, I think I will sign up.
I will also go to the next BF support group. there is always cake there!
good luck

Oh but the snuffling :) don't you just want to eat them when they do that. I say go if you can. It will be mice to meet other mums. I used to love the baby massage classes.