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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

What age do babies get something out of baby groups?

24 replies

Bellabelloo · 06/02/2017 00:24

My little one is 2 weeks. I'm just wondering what age they need stimulation and get something out of baby groups and activities? Thank you.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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RockyBird · 06/02/2017 00:34

They don't.

Baby groups are for new mums to mix with other new mums.

RockyBird · 06/02/2017 00:34

Or dads

Macauley · 06/02/2017 00:36

I was wondering the exact same thing and if I'd look mad taking my 4 week old when she won't have a clue what is going on!

Original poster

Bellabelloo · 06/02/2017 00:40

I know he won't yet! Just wondering when? 6 months? Earlier? Later? I run my own business but want to make sure I make lots of time to do things with him as well and am just wondering when they actually need/like/enjoy groups.

OP posts:

May09Bump · 06/02/2017 00:40

My 8 month old seems to be enjoying the singing and the other children - also trying to eat small toys!

Ellieboolou27 · 06/02/2017 06:45

I waited until first set of jabs with my first, my 2nd child I didn't take to a baby group until she was 10 months!
Around 6 months I'd say from experience now looking back. I always found the church run baby groups more relaxed and friendly.

Afurchesternevergivesup · 06/02/2017 06:48

Baby groups are for new mums to mix with other new mums.

My 10mo loves them.

MyKidsHaveTakenMySanity · 06/02/2017 07:09

In the early months it's more for mum's benefit. It can be nice to have a reason to get out and about every week. It's easy to become isolated when a new parent.
Attending groups early on gets baby used to going and by the time they're old enough to see the benefit of it, they are comfortable there.

riddles26 · 06/02/2017 07:54

It also depends what type of groups you want to take them to. I've taken my daughter to library groups like rhyme time from 11 weeks - she loves watching the other children, especially the older ones who are sitting up and crawling. It also gets her used to the songs and like a pp said, she will be comfortable there as she gets is older.

I haven't taken her to groups that are more for my benefit as I am really lucky to have a fantastic group of friends through NCT and we meet multiple times each week for our own sanity!

AllTheBabies · 06/02/2017 08:00

Mine both started to enjoy them when they were walking so around 9/10 months.

I took my first when she was younger so i could socialise. With the second i didn't bother until she was going to get something out of it as I had already built up a network of mum friends and fitting groups around the school run and everything else was a hassle I didn't need.

Sandsnake · 06/02/2017 08:02

I think he was interested by about 3mo and really started engaging with them at more like 6mo. I actually reckon small babies probably get more from them than people think - it's more the change of scene than anything.

Ankleswingers · 06/02/2017 08:02

They don't. It's for the adults .

Ankleswingers · 06/02/2017 08:05

My DC hated them, as did I. Full of cliques. Hideous places.

Will probably out self but DC 1 actually broke his leg at one... first time we ever went to that club and it was the last

My DC are well rounded and adjusted now aged 2 and 6 and they did perfectly fine without them.

Horses for courses and all that.

twobarnsmammisonthebus · 06/02/2017 08:18

I took my DS to a baby song time from 3 months which was lovely. It was for 0-6 months and the babies, although they of course didn't 'know' what was going on, seemed to like the quiet music and instruments and singing. He's 7 months now and we go to a little playgroup for 6-12 and he and the other babies happily potter about with the toys and love the songtime. I'm afraid I don't agree that they are just for the mums and the babies get nothing from them - I think it's lovely to get babies used to seeing other babies, and they can enjoy toys and songs from a really early age. Of course the groups are for parents too, no denying that, but I do sometimes think people here are a bit scathing about baby groups when in fact they can be really lovely.

twobarnsmammisonthebus · 06/02/2017 08:19

overuse of the word lovely

MrsGB2225 · 06/02/2017 08:21

When DS was a few weeks old we started a singing class and baby massage.
He's almost 2 now and we still do the singing class... He loves it! It teaches you different songs to sing to the baby and helps incorporate tummy time etc.
We used baby massage every night to help with wind.

Nicpem1982 · 06/02/2017 08:28

We went from around 8 weeks initially it was to mostly to get out of the house I don't live close to family and all my friends we're a thing work in the day.

we did 3 clubs a week dd became familiar with the surroundings and when she was ready to join in she was comfortable.

Original poster

Bellabelloo · 06/02/2017 10:26

Thanks everyone!! Really helpful. X

OP posts:

Camomila · 06/02/2017 10:37

Maybe 3-4 months plus just to do a bit of watching, and 6 months/crawling age to get something properly out of it?

My 10 month old loves having a go on the walker at playgroup and the different toys and he's always more babbles the afternoon after playgroup, I think he wants to copy the older toddlers.

Well done on feeling up to get out of the house at 2 weeks though, I was still in pain walking!

skankingpiglet · 06/02/2017 10:54

I agree with Camomila. From 3mo they like watching and hearing the singing etc, and around 6mo they start taking part IME. The exception to this I found was swimming, where they can learn new skills and get something out of it that is more than just observation much earlier than 6mo.

Ohhhhbother · 06/02/2017 11:09

Ds is 5 months and loves the group we go to, he likes the singing and stories and different toys. There are a few 3 month old babies at the group who seem to enjoy aswell. Sensory play was a hit with everyone at the group, which ranges from 3 months to 7 months

PostTruthEra · 06/02/2017 12:00

My 6 month old gets nothing from them.

Embolio · 06/02/2017 12:01

I'd say once they can move about and engage with stuff - 8 months or so maybe? Before that it's really for the mums and to let toddlers run off some steam....

minipie · 06/02/2017 12:14

I'd say 4 months onwards but it depends on the child. Some children love new places and stimulation and some prefer to be mostly at home with someone they know.

Definitely not 2 weeks! If you want to do baby swimming though, sign up early as they tend to get booked up (near me anyway!)

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