AIBU to find baby sensory groups excruciating

[User88181992]

I’m not sure if it’s just me or whether most other mums feel the same way and are just hiding it well. I come away from most sessions feeling totally deflated. It’s not so much baby groups as a whole, as I’ve found the library baby rhyme time much more natural. There’s something about baby sensory…possibly how structured it is and the scheduled in moments to chat among ourselves? Waving a multitude of different coloured rattles at a blank face?
I signed up for a whole term to alleviate guilt about not doing enough on mat leave, and I thought my baby would serve as a good prop if I am totally honest. Instead it feels like the first day at school every week :(
Does anyone else find these sessions painful? Did anyone manage to make..Mum Friends?

I find the concept insane. As if every moment of their young lives isn’t a sensory experience. So I didn’t go. I found plenty of people to chat to at coffee morning type things but it never translated in into real friendships and I rarely met anyone with whom I had anything in common. However we’ve both made loads of good friends among the nursery and then school parents. It’s not your last chance.

My preference was aways the playgroup. Load of toys on the middle, chairs round the edge and free tea/coffee for parents. Very relaxed , kids do some exploring/independent play and parents relax/let off steam.

I’ve always found the children centre/nhs/baby Einstein style groups very forced and not overly enjoyable.

I expected to hate them after reading all the sneering on here, but I really enjoyed it. DS was about seven months when we started and I do think they need to be a bit older. I liked the structure and energy.

Yeah they’re a pile of wank. Just don’t go 🤷‍♀️

Different groups work for Different people. My favourite baby group was a church group which was very structured and full of songs about Jesus and God followed by 'free play'. I'm not religious at all. Baby sensory isn't obligatory, do the term and.then leave.

I quite enjoyed it and DD1 liked going. But it was more a social outing for me than her.

Didn't bother with DD2, but that was because I fancied something different to fill the time.

I loved baby sensory and made most of my local mum friends there. But it depends totally on the leader and the group at the time. Also we had a break in the middle of the session where the baby's had free play with toys etc so got a chance to actually chat with other mums most classes you don't actually get a chance to chat to other people.
Went with my second it was a different leader and the sessions were not as good and the other adults just didn't seem as friendly. Or maybe I was giving a different vibe as wasn't desperate for adult friendship this time as already had a strong group of friends to socialize with.
I think you need to decide if your going for your baby or your own sanity to get out the house and hope to meet people. If the later you need to try lots of groups and might prefer a playgroup type set up. If the first and you enjoy it then just keep going.
Also my first loved most sessions, seemed to enjoy being with other babies and really joined in when old enough (able to dance, shake/bang an instrument etc) My second really didn't seem bothered by them and didn't really join in even when old enough.

I went to a few and in hindsight they were completely mental. Babies just don’t need that sensory overload. And it’s so forced!

Yes I thought they were absolutely ghastly. I am glad someone else agrees. I also didn’t like the other parents there and didn’t make friends (but that probably says more about me). Baby was indifferent to them.

There is a children's book about this scenario, The Emperor's New Clothes.

I went to 1 session with my first and found super weird, and very boring. My son hated it too, so we didn't go back. We did other things like rhyme time or baby yoga that was much better for us.

Some mum's from my NCT group loved it though, and I could see some babies enjoying the lights and toys.

I LOVED baby sensory. Hated Gymboree. Do what works for you (and your baby)

I went to one baby sensory group. The leader was an absolute loon, but I suppose that made it more interesting! My dc seemed completely unbothered by it, so we didn't go back.

I think the basic church hall parent/ baby type groups are better.

If you don't enjoy it, don't go. The money is spent either way.

Many years ago I took DD and I really liked it, and DD enjoyed it too. I found the church hall baby group very isolating, everyone seemed to be there with a pal except me, or they were childminders, though the staff were lovely.

I'm on my third baby now and never been to a baby sensory class. I never do anything that I'd have to book and pay for multiple sessions in advance aside from any other reason. My kids all nap randomly as babies and they also get sick a lot so I wouldn't want to pay for sessions that then get missed due to sick kids or a nap. Not for me.

Absolutely hated them. I'm having flashbacks to singing 'say hello to the sun' 😰😂
Just found it so cringe and awkward.
Much preferred the sing and sign group, plus it taught us a useful skill

I quite like it. There are a couple of women in mine I get on really well with and we have decent chats. Some of the activities are a bit meh but when the leader gets out all the LED lights and rave cave shit it's decent. My baby has definitely engaged more as she has got older.

If you hate it don't go, and don't feel guilty! Your baby will be getting plenty of stimulation just from normal life with you. They're only worth doing if you're getting something from them yourself.

I loved toddler sensory mostly because I was a second time mum and totally relaxed about what my DS did.

I think I would have found baby sensory a bit cringe

What she says sums the whole thing up perfectly 🤣🤣

I loved baby sensory. My DS loved it too, we went from when he was 8 weeks old and he really enjoyed it and interacted with it, it was great for his development and I loved seeing him progress week to week and grow in confidence. I have ASD and so find making new friends and talking to new people really hard. I knew some people from antenatal classes and made sure I signed up to the session they were going to and pretty much only talked to them, and we went for coffee after, so I did make mum friends but only because I knew them already, I didn’t talk to anyone else.

I loved baby sensory so much and so did my 2 children. The opening song makes me tearful and nostalgic now. Hated monkey music and gymboree. Everyone's different I guess and my babies loved it

The whole concept is so weird, as if babies aren't using their senses constantly!

Most baby groups are just about getting out really. Go to any that appeal to you.

I went to my first one last week and have to say I didn't love it. Have been doing some music ones which I've found better and baby seems to enjoy!

Yeah they are shit. In my experience certainly.

Put me off taking my DD to anything after my first and last horrendous class where I was given side eye after side eye due to DD being, well, a baby at baby sensory and having the audacity to cry. Group leader didn’t speak to me before or after the class and didn’t make me feel at all welcome, with passive aggressive comments by other mums eg. “Well we might see you again but you probably won’t come back”, alongside all the side hustle mob pitching their wares while the class was in session (think herbal life, engraved bottles, personal training). Had PND and came away feeling like I was to blame for the whole shit show.

Fast forward a few years and had second DD. Found out about a local baby and toddler group at a church nearby. Contacted the leader and went along nervously. Like night and day, welcoming and non-judgemental. Kids loved it, as did I.