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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

Baby Sensory Class

19 replies

BibbidiBobbidi · 20/06/2016 16:15

My DD is 11 weeks old and I'm wanting to take her out to meet other babies and so that I can meet other mums so I was thinking of a baby sensory class in my area.

Has anyone been to any?

What are they like?
What do you do there?
Is my baby of the right age?

I don't know what to expect and don't just want to turn up to find it's not for me and feel awkward whilst we're there!

Thanks!

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MrsMulder · 20/06/2016 16:28

I went when ds was little. 11 weeks is fine, there is usually a lot of young babies there. They do a lot of singing and tactile/ visual stuff so bubbles, different textures etc.

We really enjoyed it, think they do a free trial so you can check it out before signing up

Marmite27 · 20/06/2016 16:32

DD and I have done one since she was 16 weeks, it's in a dark room with laser lights on the ceiling which she loves. There are sensory toys and treasure baskets, and a different messy play or craft activity each week. Then songs/parachute play/bubbles at the end.

It's a drop in class, so no commitment which I like, however people tend to go with existing friends, so ours isn't really a place for making new ones.

Terrifiedandregretful · 21/06/2016 10:39

I found it very expensive for what it was. Also quite manic with lots of different activities. I also didn't find it very friendly as everyone was there with pre-existing friends. More free form play groups are better for meeting people in my experience, lots have baby areas (and I don't think tiny babies have any need for organised activities).

scarednoob · 21/06/2016 10:51

the one we went to was brilliant (it was at Gymboree in whiteleys) but DD was too young at 4 months. I am going to sign her up when she is 1!

Original poster

BibbidiBobbidi · 21/06/2016 11:19

That's what I'm thinking scarednoob that she may be a bit too young

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scarednoob · 21/06/2016 12:50

Yes, I think it would be an expensive place for her to lie down for a bit! Just wait a couple of months. From 4 months my DD enjoyed swimming and monkey music - you could try those?

Original poster

BibbidiBobbidi · 21/06/2016 13:19

That sounds good.

I'll have another look at what's on around area then.

Thank you :)

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Original poster

BibbidiBobbidi · 21/06/2016 13:20

Around my area

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Cathster · 21/06/2016 13:23

I took DD to baby sensory for two terms, started about 8 weeks to 6 months. Really I took her too early and I think now at 9 months old she would have loved it! Not only that but usually the times coincided with nap time and she was super grumpy.

It was great as she got older - lots of singing, bubbles, rattle shaking etc but too overstimulating for her until about 5 months.

I would recommend either finding a drop in baby group/sensory class for younger babies rather than committing and paying for a series of classes that your DD may not enjoy. Do you have a local children's centre?

Ffitz · 21/06/2016 13:37

It's good to go to stuff like this to try and meet other mums but small babies really don't need it. I second trying the children's centre. Their activities are free or very cheap and serve the same purpose, plus the staff there know that social contact is important for new mothers (the whole reason they run the groups) and try to introduce people and get conversations going etc. Or at least that's my experience.

TeaBelle · 21/06/2016 13:40

I went to baby sensory and hated every moment. The group leader was oTT and patronising and just awful. The sessions were 40 minutes which included a 10 minute break but costst £6 which I felt was a lot. If the group leader didn't like you then your baby got stuck with the crap toys and all the leader was bothered about was saying 'don't let the babies eat the toys'...good luck with that!!

RiverTam · 21/06/2016 13:43

I went to a lovely baby sensory class - but DD was a lot older, maybe about 8 months?

soundsystem · 21/06/2016 17:34

Maybe see if you can try a free class? I'd say baby sensory is... Not for everyone. Where I live it's massively oversubscribed, huge waiting list, everyone raves about it. I found it over the top and a bit hilarious. It starts a song where you say hello to the sun "shining down on me", then hello to the corn "growing tall for me" then the flowers.. then, well, there's a lot of helloing! And it was like £12 a go!

I found similar activities at the children's centre better where it was a bit more free flowing and DD could get stuck in a bit more: touching different fabrics, etc

Grizzer · 21/06/2016 17:36

I started ds at baby sensory at 8 weeks & although it was good, it was a pretty expensive nap or feed time. He's nearly 6 months now & is taking more notice but still finds it tiring.
It's not really a place to meet other mum's though as there is loud music & singing etc so you don't really get to chat with others.
I went to baby massage which was free at the children's centre. You massaged for 15/20 mins then had coffee & chat time after. That might suit more for a young baby like yours.

scarednoob · 21/06/2016 18:07

I think your expectations about what your baby needs might be a bit high - mine certainly were. I can see now that I was thinking she would need stimulation that a 9 month old would appreciate! At the time I was all worried that I wasn't taking her to enough things.

Does she do swimming? Mine LOVES her water babies classes

winewolfhowls · 21/06/2016 21:51

Ours was a pound and was ten minutes singing and 40 mins chatting with other mums while kids played with different themed toys every week. Was great!

Original poster

BibbidiBobbidi · 21/06/2016 22:06

I've never taken her swimming, it is something that I'd want to do though.

I think if I'm honest I'm looking at things to do in order to make some friends. I'm quite shy and withdrawn at times so I was planning on joining baby groups so I can meet people and have something to talk about and also so that as I become more confident it will rub off on DD as she grows up.

I feel as though I missed out on things growing up because I was too shy and don't want her to be the same.
I don't suppose it matters which kind of group I join really!

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scarednoob · 22/06/2016 15:02

Wish you lived near us, I'd be your friend . Try and find a local baby group, they often have them in church halls but nothing to do with religion IYSWIM. We do swimming with water babies, if they have a branch near you.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 22/06/2016 15:13

I found coffee mornings great for meeting other mums- some organised by NCT, some via local mums fb group.

Also more informal groups at children's centres and churches.

Baby sensory I found.... Weird. Little chance to chat to other mums as v busy and had to leave quickly as another class after. Too structured and over stimulating for little babies. Frustrating when my baby was interested in a particular toy and then had to hand it back as it was time for the next activity. At £12 per lesson I found it stressful to plan our day so she didn't miss the session due to being asleep/ feeding/ tired!

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