Baby classes

[Summer2019NewMummy]

AIBU taking my baby to classes when all they do is cry? I'm not sure how baby is getting anything positive from them, as all they do is cry. I feel I'm ruining them for the other mums.
Only thing is I'm not sure what I'll do all week without them.

Baby classes are silly and totally unnecessary. Just do fun things at home or go on walks for some fresh air.

I really regret all the baby classes I did with my first. He cried all the time, i was constantly stressed and spent the time clock watching. I didn't do them with DD and she doesn't seem negatively affected by not going to them, in fact she has ended up more confident and sociable!

Baby classes aren't silly, but not every baby is suited to them, especially when very little! For the first few months, it's more about the parents than the babies so if you have a crier, it's not really worth as you won't enjoy it and they won't care either way. My DD is starting to really enjoy them now and she has just turned seven months. Before that she just kind of looked placidly bemused But she's a very laid back baby so never really cried at any. Her little pal was a big crier at classes to start with though, so they stopped for a while, and have just restarted and he's enjoying them now.

I wouldn’t bother with them - waste of time and money, but if you’re worried about isolation are there some more casual things you can go to (like NCT coffee mornings or any church baby and toddler play sessions)?

They're meant to be more about the mums than babies at that age. I loved going to ours- it added routine to my day.

Baby classes aren't silly. I would have gone nuts in the house all week (I still do!) if you want to go then go. If you can't relax and enjoy your time because baby in crying maybe take a break and try again when baby is a bit older

I never did a single baby class

It’s totally up to you. If you want to go and need to get out of the house then go. I wouldn’t be bothered at all by another mum being there with a baby who cried all the way through.

My eldest was a crier but we went out all the time as I found it easier for me than staying at home.

It depends, if you benefit from going then I would continue to. Classes should be baby centred, I've been to some where a baby has cried throughout and I've never thought they shouldn't be here. I don't think it's fair to say theyre all silly and a waste of time, you just have to find ones which you and/or baby enjoy! I went to a few I hated and baby didn't seem arsed about so I didn't go back, but found one which was really good.

Go to parent and toddler groups which are more laid back rather then a class.

Do what is best for you. I went to baby groups from birth with both mine (bounce and rhyme at the library and the local village toddler group). I went to get out the house, meet other parents. Both mine cluster fed so it was nice to sit with company while they had milk!

They're not silly or unnecessary if they're what you want to do. No one will mind if your baby cries if you want to be there. If you don't want to go then don't worry about it.

I ended up dropping all of ours when mine started crying the whole way through and crawling for the door. But I was lucky in that I knew a few other women with babies locally and we would just go for walks with the prams, which was nice. I do think they are really helpful for stopping you feeling lonely at first.

Now DS is nearly 2 and I’m back at work part time I take him to a toddler group in a church hall and I enjoy it so much more, really relaxed and more fun for him.