to be majorly p***ed off with my post-natal class

[rabster]

I am going to stop going. They make me so angry and depressed.

All the mums there boast about how long their baby can play independently. at 11 weeks fgs?! I LIKE to interact with mine!!! and if they cry you musnt go to them. let them cry a bit first.

And two mums have weaned by 17 weeks!!

And all of the babies (except mine) go through the night. And you musn't breast feed in the evening cos they'll get too attached to you.

aaarrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!

sorry, just needed a rant.

My group was a little stange, they all seemed to be totally enjoying the whole experience and my son was colicky (don't underestimate it until you've experienced it!!) and screamed all day. One mum just looked exasperated at me and calmly told me that her son didn;t sleep in the day either and it was a sign of intelligence. I remember saying 'i really don't care whether he's intelligent or not i just want him to sleep!!!!
I then had ''discussions'' with my health visitor in front of everyone as i said my son would only sleep on his front (bad, bad mum) as that was 'contrary to current recomendations' which then led to loads of 'well you wouldn't want anything to happen to him would you? comments.

Point taken, newgirl, but another reason for 'funny looks' can be that the rest of the group feel that you are implicitly criticising their choices by making different ones yourself. That's what seems to be happening in my group. I'm amazed actually: thought we were too old for that sort of nonsense.

Apparently not.

I know I should rise above it and be extra reassuring, but that's not what I'm there for tbh. I want a mutually supportive group. I am a new Mum, after all.

It's not a competition. If these mums make you feel like it is then definitely stop going, it's hard enough as it is without people making you feel worse. I had a similar experience and have since found a different group of friends, and MN is a godsend I agree!

Hmmmm, I refused to go to any post natal groups and it was because I was worried they'd be like that. Arse to them all, they're probably all lying anyway. If their kids are sleeping through they're probably drugging them. Find a nicer group at once and forget em all!

rabster if you're minding your parenting style not being 'mainstream' which I felt too for a while, you could maybe read The Science of Parenting which unlike most other books is based on lots of scientific studies and supports co-sleeping etc. I was so relieved I'd followed my instincts having read it as it's really pro attachment parenting and against controlled crying etc.