To think baby groups aren't really necessary

[ProseccoMamam]

Never been to one myself, doubt I ever will. Plus lots and lots of other mums on here & in real life have said they didn't feel welcome/wasn't really worth it. Just your opinions really? Have you been, how did you find them? Good/bad experiences.

Just to make a point I'm not here to cause an argument, I'm sure many mums enjoy taking their children to groups, good on you

They are "necessary" for as long as people want to go to them. If you don't, that's totally your prerogative. If everyone was the same the world would be a boring place.

Of course they aren't necessary but so aren't lots of things. Owning more than one pair of shoes, smartphones, cheese, chocolate, alcohol, etc.

Yanbu. I had one group I loved. At that stage it was as much for my benefit as for dd's. Now she's a toddler, it's definitely more for her benefit.

Not exactly the same thing, but I'm very pregnant and have started to go to "bump and baby" type groups. I really value them. It's great to talk to other first-time and more experienced mums, have a whinge about symptoms, get advice etc. I'm really worried about postnatal depression / isolation so I see myself going to these groups a lot after birth, likely more for me than for the baby to begin with.

Having said that - if you don't get anything out of them, YANBU not to go! Each to their own.

Lots of things aren't necessary at all, yet we do them!

Good on YOU for not finding baby groups necessary.

I like groups. My little boy likes playing with different toys and running around. I get to sit with a cuppa for short periods at play groups. He really enjoys activities such as drum and music class, messy play, woodland/outdoor playgroup. He gets experiences that he wouldn't necessarily get just with me and socialises. He does one day a week at nursery and we go out with other children around 2/3 times a week as well.

I haven't ever really worried about feeling 'welcome' as I have never gone to groups to make friends or socialise but to give him experiences that he enjoys (and therefore to give me a bit of a break). Neither of us got much out of baby classes (i.e. Under 9 months) so we didn't really bother. I am lucky to have good friends locally with children the same age as mine so didn't need to bother with the social thing. I will make idle small talk if I am talked to but will be happy not talking to anyone and just interacting with my child.

Of course they aren't necessary, who ever said they were?

They were a bloody lifesaver for me. I had PND and was completely out of my depth and overwhelmed. My HV suggested I go to a couple of local groups and I did. They gave me a reason to leave the house. I got loads of great advice and was able to access support. I made some fantastic friends. Plus, my DD enjoyed them as well.

they where necessary for me - I had no baby friends and then I did!

My youngest child is almost 9 and we still go away camping as a big gang and I'm in touch with the NCT mates I made 15 years ago when pregnant with DD1

so yes I loved them and made lifelong friends - a bonus

They aren't necessary for babies, but are often very necessary for those new mothers who would otherwise be isolated. This doesn't apply to all mothers, which is why not all mothers go to them.

I hate being at them, but I took the DC to a play place today and bumped into a nice woman I met at a baby group. I had an actual human to talk to. It was great.

I just wanted to ask about really, see what other had to say. My health visitor told me while I was pregnant and all since baby was born that I should take him otherwise it would halt his development? To be fair they say that about everything nowadays though. She did my little ones development check a couple weeks ago and said the his social skills were higher than average for his age. It was the result of his check up that made me wonder if they were pointless. Obviously mums have been to/go to baby groups and enjoy them very much, that's okay too. Just felt a bit backed into a corned by my health visitor and wanted to ask other mums really

I'm very antisocial generally but have struggled with the lack of interaction with adults whilst on Mat leave. Found myself wishing away the hours until OH gets home so it's nice just to go out and have a chat and LO gets to see some different things. I know I'm happier since I went to them so for me they have been a positive thing.

I do find it funny you've formed your opinion despite never going to one.

Each to their own. I went to baby yoga and met some of my very best friend who are thick as thieves with me 7 years on and got me through my divorce.

I found they were brilliant, I had a list on the fridge of what was happening in my area and when, if I wanted to there was something I could go to everyday. Sometimes more than one a day. Personally, they gave me a real reason to get my shit together, leave the house and feel like I'd done something. I found days at home on my own with a baby hideously claustrophobic and depressing. They're not for everyone but the have their place.

It depends. For me during the first year, they saved my sanity. DD is now 18 months and she gets more out of them now.

Not sure I'll go to any if we have another though. Hoping DD will be DC2's entertainment!

Love ours. My toddler can play with familiar and new friends and I can sit and talk to adults who don't bat an eyelid that I smell like baby sick most of the time.

Having said that, it has taken a little while (well, almost 2 years) to find one where I feel like I fit in. Others have felt a bit formal or cliquey. Ours is small, friendly and a little bit disorganised.

I also get a hot chocolate and biscuit delivered to my lap .

Love my baby groups. Have made loads of baby friends and keeps us sociable and out the house!

Oh you mean are thru necessary for actual babies? As in, under 1s? Haha no not one bit!

If you don't want to go then don't. I went mainly for me. The fact that DD enjoyed them as well was a side benefit.

I found them absolutely essential for moral support, friendship, advice and providing a structure to my day.

I found them good for me personally. I didn't know anyone with a baby and live in an isolated place so when DH had gone to work I could have gone the whole day without even seeing someone walk past!

I found groups for me out of the house -especially in the winter months.

Each to their own though - I appreciate that are not everyone's cup of tea.

Lol at the humblebrag.

I haven't made an opinion on baby groups, that's why I'm asking other mums.

I'm glad that lots of you found them beneficial for your own mental health, that's something I didn't consider before

I have quite a large family with lots of children of different ages so I just visited family and took days out with my son, that worked fine for me. Happy to hear that plenty of you have good experiences with baby groups, some of the stories I've heard previously have put me off