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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

does a 5 week old baby need to be going to a baby group?

28 replies

Mandymoo · 08/06/2006 20:04

There is one locally which HV has said i should go to. Thing is i dont really think ds is going to get much out of it at 5wks! What do you think? I also have dd who is 3.5 and who wouldnt be able to attend but i could find childcare for her if i really wanted to go. Is 5 weeks a tad early? I wouldnt mind going just to get out the house once in a while but in terms of going for ds, is it early?

OP posts:

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Angeliz · 08/06/2006 20:08

Personally, i would think it's too early to feel the need to do it.
If you want to, fine but i don't think you need to.

Laura032004 · 08/06/2006 20:08

I'm sure you don't need to go for ds - you maybe, but definitely not him! It would be a lot better if you could find one you could take dd to as well, and then you're getting out of the house together.

NotQuiteCockney · 08/06/2006 20:08

I wouldn't bother, particularly if your DD couldn't go! Your baby will be seeing loads of interesting things from watching your DD, and from going to whatever playgroups your DD used to go to.

When my DS2 was tiny, he really enjoyed the school run to drop off and pick up his brother.

Original poster

Mandymoo · 08/06/2006 20:09

Yeah, i'm really not bothered about going atm - just wondered if i was being a bit selfish feeling like that. I mean, what the hell can a 5wk old get from attending a baby group fgs!!!

OP posts:

Angeliz · 08/06/2006 20:10

NQC. i always say that too
DD2 is 15 months and we go to beach/park/soft play but i havenm't yet ventures to playgroups. When the guilt sets in i remind myself how much stimulation she's getting from dd1.

(Actually i am going to start taking her to Gym tots soon now she's more mobile)

juuule · 08/06/2006 20:10

No - what for???
However, if you wanted the company of the other mums

then go. Don't think a 5wk old needs it though.

Angeliz · 08/06/2006 20:11

At 5 weeks he's getting all he needs from you

ScummyMummy · 08/06/2006 20:12

Only if his mum needs to go. And if she does five weeks is not too young.:)

NotQuiteCockney · 08/06/2006 20:12

Who on earth runs baby groups that you can't take bigger siblings to, anyway? What a stupid idea.

Ulysees · 08/06/2006 20:13

I went to our baby and toddler group when mine were that age but that was more for my sake as most of my mates were childless and working so I got to mix with adults. Plus I helped them run it.

If you don't feel up to it yet then don't go. It isn't for everyone anyway.

foxinsocks · 08/06/2006 20:14

I'm sure the HV meant it for your benefit rather than the baby! Maybe she thought it'd be a good way of meeting other mums with similarly ages babies?

I would go to one that both your kids could go to. You don't want to faff about with different ones or sorting out childcare!

mazzystar · 08/06/2006 20:22

No, its not too early - I'm sure he won't mind either way. I went to one from 3 weeks with DS - run by the health visitors, who around here are pretty good, so it was great for getting advice in an informal way. But I'd only go if I fancied it.

FrannyandZooey · 08/06/2006 20:33

NQC for what it's worth, I don't allow older siblings at my baby group - it would completely compromise the quiet, purposeful atmosphere we are trying to create.

I think it is barking to suggest that a 5 week old baby needs to go to a group, but when I was a 5 week old's mother I certainly did :)

WideWebWitch · 08/06/2006 20:34

Er, no is my short answer! If you want some company (maybe that's what the hv is thinking?) then great but at 5 weeks I don't think a baby's going to get anything out of it! Mind you, I only met my hv twice, briefly, second time round.

LIZS · 08/06/2006 20:38

agree with WWW. Sounds like a lot of hassle for no gain to me. Why can't dd go too ?

Chandra · 08/06/2006 20:46

My HV organised one for all the children born in the same month as DS and I started going when DS was about that age, I don't think a baby could be less interested in them (apart from the toys of course), but if you are lucky you may end up making good friends. Now, if you already are going to another playgroup I would say forget about the baby group at least until he is old enough to realise what a playgroup is.

Surfermum · 08/06/2006 20:46

He won't but you might! I went to one and am really pleased I did. I made lots of lovely friends and we ended up meeting every week either there or at someone's house, and still do 3 years later. We had a talk about infant resuscitation and choking, later on one about weaning and various other things. Our HV was great as she would take her scales and weigh the babies there to save us queuing at the clinic. She was also on hand for any queries or advice that we needed.

Elibean · 08/06/2006 20:48

Agree with the others...am sure the HV is thinking of you, not ds. I felt pressured with dd to go to swimming classes at 4 months, she hated them and so did I - now I know better: no classes unless and until ONE of us can benefit from them! Go if you want to, don't if you don't: he'll be happy if you're happy

contentmum · 08/06/2006 21:39

I went to a baby massage group when dd was 5 weeks old but was totally selfish and went for the adult company and to talk to people who understood about the dilemmas I had over which nappy was the best (childless friends just didn't get it!). Only go if you want to - with a 3 year old he's got more entertainment than he needs at this stage.

AprilMum · 08/06/2006 22:36

Bah. Don't bother!

EmmyLou · 09/06/2006 17:51

I help run the local toddler and baby group and I'd say yes, go because I just LURVE seeing tiny babies! (broody-but-not-allowed-any-more-babies emoticon)

We take the view that we operate for the mums, under fives, toddlers and the babies (even tiny babies get stimulation from the change in environment etc) - in no particular order.

Would also add that our group needs people to attend as we are a charity and have to pay for the local hall as well as two staff to open up, set up, make snacks and lunches, provide activities, clear up etc - if people don't come, we can't generate the income to keep going. Its a good local resource and it would be a shame to lose it because of a demographic glitch that means we have a year or two of a lower birth rate.

sparklemagic · 09/06/2006 18:37

absolutely agree with others! These groups are for the mums not the babies. All a 5 week old needs is his mum and his home and a bit of fresh air! You are meeting all his needs, so don't go unless you would enjoy it. I didn't go to the local group cos I'm not really someone who enjoys these things.

YellowFeathers · 09/06/2006 18:40

Is it one of these post natal groups run by the HV's?

I attended them when I had my dd but they only ran for a few weeks and each session was based on a particular topic i.e. baby massage, weaning, books etc.

Tommy · 09/06/2006 18:56

I started going when DS1 was about 8 weeks and I still met up wth the women I met there every week (4.5 years later )
Of course you baby won't get anything from it - it's meant for the Mums

EmmyLou · 09/06/2006 19:06

Must say, dispite my pitch on behalf of local groups - I didn't go until dd3 was about 6 months. When they are that tiny and unless you have an older child who would appreciate the socialising and being able to make a mess somewhere that isn't your own home, then I was too busy with b/f and other household stuff. Perhaps your HV wants you to impart wisdom, as an experienced second time mum?

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