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Original poster

To take baby to classes at 4 weeks old?

157 replies

elm26 · 19/06/2023 00:00

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.

OP posts:
anxiousatnight · 20/06/2023 06:18

Goodness, go! It will be for you not the baby, hopefully the baby will sleep and you can have a nice chat with some other mums. Don't listen to your friends!

I met one of my best friends at baby sensory when our first children were tiny. They're nearly 6 now and I see her often. I'd never have survived the baby years without her.

SunIsShininInTheSky · 20/06/2023 06:18

It'll be for you not the baby, 4 week olds are very much sleeping potatoes, chances are they will sleep through it. I imagine if your friends are already mums they probably see it as a waste of money (it is if you think it'll somehow do something you can't do yourself), you don't need classes for the baby this little, anything under 6 months is just to get you out the house. I didn't meet anyone through classes I found they tended to be a certain type of person who went, complete opposite to me. You might find your people there though.

Glenthebattleostrich · 20/06/2023 06:23

baby massage is great. ask for the poo massage, life saver when they are a bit bunged up! Baby is never to young for you to learn some first aid and the social aspect will be good for you too.

SparkyBlue · 20/06/2023 06:27

Im another one saying definitely go. You will really enjoy the chat

Lifeisapeach · 20/06/2023 06:29

In truth your baby won’t get much out of it and will probably sleep much of the classes anyway. These classes are more for mum and filling time and meeting people while on Mat leave. If you can afford it why not.

sandgrown · 20/06/2023 06:32

Go for it . Some of my best friends are mums I met at a mother and toddler group over 40 years ago. It will add some structure to your day and stop you becoming isolated.

Anon204 · 20/06/2023 06:37

Of course your baby isn't going to remember it...they're a baby! But that doesn't mean they (or you) haven't got anything to gain from it.

Baby classes are great for helping then develop those early milestones like reaching, grasping and following objects with their eyes. Classes are visually stimulating for babies and lots of mums say that their babies nap really well afterwards. It gives you great ideas of ways to stimulate them during their wake windows and also is really good ways to bond with your baby. Lovely memories for you too.

Scottishgirl85 · 20/06/2023 06:38

I did similar courses, but they were free with NHS. I'd ask how old the other babies are on the course. You ideally want to meet mums with very similar age babies, so if you click with them you can continue to meet up and have lots to share/in common. If the other babies are all 12+ weeks, your baby always will be at completely different stage, which means you'll likely drift apart, which would be a shame.

MRex · 20/06/2023 06:43

I loved baby classes. While other babies might be a month or two older, that levels out very quickly. DS has two kids in his school who he was in baby classes with and one of the mums is a good friend. You'll enjoy getting out, it gets you used to keeping a bag packed of all the bits you need and It's a great opportunity to make friends. Ask others out for a coffee or lunch after, it's lovely to have people to spend the day with who are in the same situation. Have fun!

Clairebairn · 20/06/2023 06:47

I think you should go if you want to! There are different reasons for attending a class at this stage, it might be good for you to get out of the house and be in a different environment plus you’ll meet other parents. Baby massage is great too, your baby will enjoy that. I know someone who got a zoo membership when her baby was born and she took her daughter all the time! The baby was none the wiser but mum loved getting out into the fresh air and seeing the animals. Do whatever makes you happy!

WelcomeToMonkeyTown · 20/06/2023 06:54

I did a similar class called "Tots Play" when DD1 was tiny. She got pretty much nothing out of it but I did!

It was more for me to learn things anyway, and the opportunity to get out of the house & meet people.

Go for it!

Twiglets1 · 20/06/2023 06:58

elm26 · 19/06/2023 00:00

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.

If you feel like you will enjoy it you should go. Your baby probably doesn’t need it but they won’t dislike it, may even enjoy some aspects like the baby massage. It’s mainly for your emotional health and meeting other mums. Don’t listen to people saying it’s pointless. If you will enjoy it that is the point.

Noicant · 20/06/2023 06:59

Go for it, I had my baby just before COVID and there was literally nothing to do for bloody ages. Who care if it’s for you or the baby or both. You may find useful info there and it helps structure your day.

Eatingsoupwithafork · 20/06/2023 07:02

I agree baby won’t get much out of it but you will… it was great for my mental health! Go for it!

GGee123 · 20/06/2023 07:04

As everyone else has said, these groups are really more for Mums & are a great way to meet other Mums. If money is an issue though, there are often free baby groups you can go to instead, might be worth looking into that? Our local baby group was where I met my Mum friends who I'm still in touch with now, 9 years on.

TolkiensFallow · 20/06/2023 07:07

Please go! It’ll be a lovely way to bond with your baby, get out of the house and meet other mums.
I started going to groups at 4 weeks for my sanity and so did lots of others. The early days are easier to meet people too as “mum friend” groups are less established

Luckyduc · 20/06/2023 07:10

I did all that with my baby ....carried on with messy play tike and rhyme tike etc. There's a few babies and mums in that group that went in to be in my kids class and he's 8 now. It was free tho.....so maybe look about.

Sceptre86 · 20/06/2023 07:18

My current baby (dc3) went to babyassage classes from 4 weeks with her dad. At 8 weeks I took her to baby sensory. She would track the movements with her eyes and the welcome song became her favourite and would calm her down instantly.

As a parent people will have way too many opinions on what you do and don't do. You have to learn to stand by your decisions and tell people to butt out. You can do so kindly in a breezy way or you can be firmer, whatever works for you.

I only ever took dd1 to music classes and that was only up till ds2 was born. When he came about I barely went to any classes and he and I missed out. I was determined dd2 wouldn't and we've been to lots, she's actually the most clingy of my 3 at this stage but the classes helped my confidence and I've met lots of acquaintances through them. It also broke up the monotony of being home everyday so they are just as much for you as they are baby.

Sceptre86 · 20/06/2023 07:18

*ds1

Overthinker191728 · 20/06/2023 07:25

My little one loved classes and actually baby massage was great for him as he had allergies and helped to learn how to help his bowels along. It will also do you some good to soend time with other mums, as for it being more for you than baby - happy mama = happy baby in my opinion. My sons paediatrician recommended we do as many classes as we could to help me, him be around others, both of us learn how to cope in different environments etc.

VerbenaGirl · 20/06/2023 07:26

Absolutely go. Sounds great.

Hellzbellz25 · 20/06/2023 07:28

Go! It will be nice for you and give you a bit of routine each week - and stop listening to what other people tell you about things like this, everyone's got an opinion where babies/children are concerned and yours is the one that matters

Lola19 · 20/06/2023 07:34

Hi sorry if I’m repeating what’s been said already I haven’t read the above replies! I just wanted to say I started taking my newborn to baby massage at 8 weeks old after my health visitor told me about it. I think it was probably more for the mums although I suppose babies got a nice massage out of it! I will say though that as a mum with no previous baby experience it was a confidence booster for me, just getting out the house and in the car on my own! Even setting the pram up and walking through the streets on my own with the pram. It was a really lovely laid back environment where no one cared if babies cried, needed fed, peed everywhere 😂 and it happened to all of us and kindof bonds all the new mums as you realise most first time mums are in similar positions! I also met the two mums who have now gone on to become my closest mum friends (such a positive thing to make friends with others going through the same experience) we met first at baby massage then I bumped into them at other classes like swimming (we’ve been going to that since my son was 3 months) and now we meet up all the time.
I also think taking your baby to lots of different classes is good for their confidence because my friends and I notice how confident our toddlers are now around other kids and people and we think taking them out and about into different environments since they were really young has contributed to that! All in all yes go! It’s not a waste! It’s a confidence booster for you, it’s good to get out the house during the tough newborn stage it can change your whole mood, you will speak to other mums! There’s nothing negative about taking your newborn out to baby classes in my opinion!

StillWantingADog · 20/06/2023 07:39

I doubt baby will get much out of it.

however I found getting out of the house doing stuff with the baby really important for my general well-being when on Mat leave

angielizzy1 · 20/06/2023 07:39

It's brilliant for both of you to get out of the house and it will give you a chance to meet other mums and as there are lots of different activities on offer you can find out what you and your baby enjoy so you know what to book in the future. Baby first aid is essential and ideally every new parent should do some like that. There may be cheaper activities on offer but there is nothing to stop you doing those as well. Definitely don't cancel it.