To take baby to classes at 4 weeks old?

[elm26]

I've signed up for a 6 week course.

Each week is different from baby massage to baby first aid to tummy time and sensory.

It says anyone is welcome to bring their babies from birth but they recommend 4 weeks and upwards.

It says on the welcome pack that they are laid back and if baby is crying, needs feeding, changing etc it's all part of the group and we can do what we need to do.

I thought this would be a great opportunity to mix with other Mum's and get my baby involved in some developmental bits and bobs.

Told some friends who told me it's ridiculous I've paid £65 to take a 1 month old to classes that she won't gain anything from.

I'm a first time mum, DH thinks it's great especially as I would have never done this before as I don't like to go somewhere unfamiliar without somebody I know.

Should I cancel? I can get my money back if I cancel tomorrow latest. I'm questioning now whether it seems too much.

That's so rude of your friend. If you can afford it, definitely go. Really important for your wellbeing to get out and meet other parents, and get confident being out and about with baby

I would definitely advise you to go to the classes. The price is reasonable for six weeks and the topics covered seem very relevant and interesting, especially the baby first aid. Mainly I would go to get yourself out of the house and meet new friends with babies a similar age to your own. It can be a lonely time in the first months for a first time mum if you don’t get out and socialise with other mums. I don’t agree that your baby won’t benefit from the sessions either. He/ she will enjoy the baby massage and other activities. I remember friends and family commenting negatively because I read books and sang nursery rhymes to my son when he was a baby but he could read before he started school.

Honestly, at this age, the classes are for you not baby. But that's fine, you matter too. I started going to baby groups at 2 weeks with my first because I needed adult conversation and to get out of the fucking house.

I started baby classes with DS when he was 5 weeks old, he largely slept/fed/fussed and most likely got very little from it.

It was absolutely wonderful for me to meet some other Mums in the same boat. 12 years on we are still great friends and I spent almost all of my maternity leave with them, they were, and are, absolutely lovely.

100% go!

I loved those and went to a few starting at 5 weeks I benefited from getting out of the house and meeting people, I liked having structure, baby benefited from a happy relaxed mummy

This was my thought too. My baby is only 16 weeks but I started taking her to baby classes really early. She's the youngest but I have now made a couple of mum friends and we have a whatsapp group and have all moved on to another baby group together now the 6 week course one has ended.

I think this sounds awesome! As PP have said, these are for you, not baby, will get you out of the house and meeting new people. Both my DC started swimming lessons at 6 weeks, this was very much for me, as I'm a keen swimmer and was desperate to get in the water with them and splash about a bit. Clearly of course they weren't actually learning to swim at that age, but it was a really enjoyable 30mins a week.

Your friend sounds pretty shitty.
It's a standard price for a block of classes. I think there is a lot to be said for structured baby classes while on mat leave. It is good for you to get out of the house, it is a convenient way to meet other mums, it is also great for building your confidence with the baby by being around other mothers and their babies.

God, some people are unbelievable. Don’t let anyone put doubt into your mind - it’s a wonderful idea and FWIW I felt that 4 weeks was the PERFECT time to start classes with my baby (now 3 months old). She loved sensory from the second week and I made solid friends from it, plus got great recommendations for other activities. Go and enjoy your time with your baby, be ready to adjust to them as needed (some classes end up being expensive naps and that’s okay), and a huge congratulations on your arrival. I really hope you’re doing well 💕

Doooooooo itttttt. These groups are great, especially for first time mums! No your baby won't qualify for mensa because of it but you will meet other mums, as desperate for interaction as you are. Go and enjoy, and smile and say hello, you might meet your new best friend x

I think that's very unsupportive of your friends and frankly none of their business either.

Being a new mum can be very isolating it sounds great to me and if you are happy to pay it then that's noone else's business.

Go and enjoy it they don't stay that small for very long it'll be lovely memories for you x

I did a 6 week postnatal pilates course. It was an absolute disaster. Would I do it again- definitely. I gained so much confidence from the other mothers. Either they had so much to offer or were as clueless as me. It got me out of the house and meeting new people. Do it

Our local area has a meet a mum group where you take newborns for 6 weeks and cover many things like first aid, massage, baby signing, safety, weaning etc. it’s was a fab opportunity to meet other mums in the area. This was all free though. Some were taster sessions for things you could then book into, which many of us did. At the very newborn stage it was more about being confident to get up and go out and meet people. I became part of a lovely small groups who then did a variety of classes together right up until they all celebrated first birthdays and we went back to work. The babies learned to socialise as they became more aware. It was lovely. I went to loads of classes - baby signing, baby massage, music classes, stay and play, surrstart sessions, messes play. Alsorts.

These classes are great at just getting you out and about and I found it so helpful to have something to get dressed and out for. Some of the massage bits are helpful for if baby’s struggling with teeth/ wind. And like you say it’s a great chance to meet new mums and have a chat with adults. It’s not silly at all. I hope you keep the classes and enjoy them 🥰

You must have been to some pretty poor classes if your baby didn’t learn anything. Babies are amazing learners and at their peak before 1. All of their language preparation happens very early and before 1 is the best time to introduce a second language. The younger the better. If a baby sleeps during a class, they are still processing auditory information. I’m currently doing an MA in early years education specialising in music from birth to 5 years. The amount of peer reviewed research that supports music from birth is astonishing. A good music class (led by trained specialists) will really support your baby’s early communication and language skills. Babies in my classes sing in tune, play the drum in time and can follow the rules in musical games, all before 7 months. They also practice at home. Do not underestimate the learning ability of babies. They are much cleverer and quick to grasp information than we are.

Classes were a lifeline for me. I started going at 6 weeks. Got me used to dealing with baby crying in public and navigating by myself. Also really good to talk to other mums who are going through the same things at the same time as you. Best thing I did was start going early, made it feel less daunting to leave the house!

I would prioritise this super sleepy newborn time for taking yourself to coffee shops with a stack of books, or wandering around museums with baby in a sling. It’s such a short fleeting period before they get more and more full on. I enjoyed swimming and a signing class when she was about 6/7 months and it was nice to see her get lots out of it too.

’getting out of the house’ doesn’t always have to be baby classes or mum meet ups. You can just do nice stuff for you too.

I totally disagree with this as well- mine got loads out of their classes from six months onwards. Baby sensory and musical ones were huge hits. By 9 months she was crawling round to explore everything and would pick up shakers, try to beat sticks on the drums. And long before that she'd stare mesmorised at the bubbles/ balloons/ light tubes or kick out at balls in the ball pit. We are lucky that we have lots of great free options locally though so we went to quite a few. At four weeks the baby massage will be great for them I reckon, and it's always useful to get comfortable with the turn them over slap them on the back technique before they start weaning.

Agree, thanks for this post. So frustrating reading the comments saying it's pointless and only for the mum. Most of the baby's development in their lifetime is done before 3, the majority before 1 if I recall.

Don’t listen to your friend. This may be the first of many times that you will need to do this. Nod and smile and do it your way.

I loved baby classes with my first. It was all free then (Surestart, all gone now I think) and sounds just like yours.

The best was the baby massage week. All the other babies chilled out and enjoyed themselves. My DS did a massive wee and started crying. The problem was that I couldn’t pick him up as he was a squirmy, oily, weeing mess. He was like a hot bar of soap. It was brilliant to be surrounded by people who were in the same boat. It was their turn for a mini disaster the next week. We stayed friends for years!

you should 💯 go. your friends aren't being supportive, you will meet new people , learn new skills, have fun and have a reason to leave the house. I think it sounds Brilliant. why does anyone care if you spend your money on something that you want to do? I loved going to baby classes enjoy every second of your baby because it goes fast and you only get 1 go at getting it right for your baby so grab all opportunities with both hands x

Going to some of these classes is a great thing to do as a new mum. Also check out your local church and community groups, as well as local libraries who often have book reading and singing sessions. While your baby will not remember them you will make friends with parents of similarly aged kids, and your child will likely really enjoy them. We still have friends from the baby club days. Getting your child used to a range of activities in safe, comfortable, environments is a great way to help them develop social and learning skills.

The class s aren't for the baby's direct benefit. It's not as though you are expecting a newborn to be carrying out first aid. They are about giving you a range of useful skills to help care for your baby and confidence and support in your parenting and a chance to discuss your concerns with other people in a similar situation.

These classes are not for the baby. It gets you out of the house, you’ll meet other mums and if you’re sociable, it does wonders to your mental health.
Baby won’t even register what’s going on probably, but that’s okay! Just make sure it doesn’t add extra stress for you

Definitely go! I did with both my babies and I will do the same when this one arrives. You need mum friends! You need someone that is going through similar milestones to you! Baby massage is bloody great! I did think it was a faff at first but actually really helped my son who really struggled with his wind! She also did some mummy yoga too and taught us pelvic floor exercises. Go!