Baby sensory classes?

[Jessie2024]

Looking to see if anyone can put my mind at ease here. I’m a first time mum to a 5 week old girl. My problem is, I absolutely hate the idea of baby sensory classes. I don’t know why, but I really dislike having “mum friends”. I prefer to meet with my normal friends who mostly don’t have children, rather than having a specific group of friends specifically who only have motherhood in common with me! A friend of mine has a baby too and she spends every day at some sort of baby sensory or development class, which she goes to with a group of mum friends. To be honest, I hate the idea of it. If it is critical for my daughter’s development to go to these, then I will go to them for her sake. But me and my partner would much rather take her around the park, show her the plants, take her to an aquarium or a zoo, or sing to her and play with her ourselves. Are these not also sensory activities? We leave the house every day and have already been on lots of days out with her. I feel like a bad mother in comparison to my friend who spends every day at a class for her baby, but I really think going to these classes is not my thing. I’m also a fairly young mother (22 years old, just graduated from university) but I look younger than I am. I’ve already had a lot of horrible looks from usually older people in the streets when I’m with my daughter. Because of this, I’m anxious to go to a baby group that has much older mothers than me, and to feel judged. I guess what I’m looking for here is either reassurance, or someone to tell me I need to go to these classes for my baby’s sake.

Is it that you don't like baby sensory classes or that you're worried of being judged for appearing young?

If it's the former, don't go and do other things with your daughter.

I’m 27 with a 10.5 month old. I’ve taken him to 1 baby class, neither of us were overly impressed so we never went back. I’ve met friends randomly with kids and we sometimes meet for coffee and let the babies have a play. Most of the time he just goes wherever me and my husband are going, the supermarket, out for dinner, we’ve took him the aquarium, the zoo etc (we love the zoo too 😂). We’ve taken him the farm, again we got to squish baby goats so a big win for everyone. He’s happy and developing well. Babies don’t need sensory classes, if you’re really interested in sensory play, you can make some at home, water play, lights etc etc. some mums do sensory baths. Again, we don’t do any of that, our little boy is thriving with his little toys, loves his boring bubble baths every day, gets outside with us lots. Babies slot into your life, don’t worry about it too much. Good luck 🥰

@TTCJJB a bit of both I think!

I do a lot of classes with my son and have done since he was 7 weeks old. It's good for his development, but obviously not essential, you seem to be doing plenty with your LO so if you want to forego the classes, fine.

I'd suggest if you're not sure sign up to a PAYG class and try it out - From my experience there's Mums there of various ages, Grandparent's too and everyone is so invested in their own babies they wouldn't even notice your age.

Gosh, you absolutely do not have to take you baby to classes. Especially at the age your LO is, the classes are more a way for parents to get out of the house, have something to do, talk to other adults and get ideas of how to entertain their babies. It’s great to expose them to different experiences, but that doesn’t have to be through classes.
My son is 14 months and I went to classes from when he was about 8 weeks. I’ve got no mum friends from these classes. He only started to really take an interest in classes recently. We do 1 music class a week which he does enjoy. But before 12 months I honestly don’t think he understood anything that was going on.
Just do whatever makes you happy as a parent - for some people going to classes makes them feel like they’re doing a good thing for their baby. Other babies will get enough stimulation and input from various adventures.
Also, lots of mums I do know with more than 2 kids say that the 3rd+ children never do any classes as they just don’t have the time and their kids are fine so it’s not damaging to not go to classes.
To be honest you can do all that se sorry stuff at home. But some bubbles, dim the lights, wave a tea towel around, play some fun music, sing and do actions to nursery rhymes. Cheaper than paying someone else to show you how to wave a scarf in your babies face.

Absolutely no need to go if you don't want to (and I didn't do anything that cost more than a token pound or so until they were much older), but maybe don't completely dismiss the idea of 'mum friends' just yet. There are times when things are hard or you're worried about something, and having some people who are going through similar things can be useful – they might have useful experiences to share or it might be just help to commiserate about it. Most of them won't ever develop into 'friend-friends', but that's okay .

Dont go! These classes are a lifeline for some people whoeither feel terribly isolated as a new mother or who don't feel that they know how to bond with their baby. Or are just bored! With my first, I went to one every day. I had recently moved and knew nobody local and it was a great way to be out of the house and talk to adults. It broke up the monotony of being at home as DH was out of the house 6.30-7.30 each day.

DC4 is 5.5 months. We haven't done a single one. Not remotely harmful to her development! Older babies and toddlers do enjoy seeing others like them though, so it might be something you have to endure when baby is 8months+ (unless they will be attending nursery and getting lots of peer interaction that way).

If you are happy and baby is happy and interacting with you and seeing some different places, all is well! Going for a walk is a great sensory experience for a young baby. Bathtime is too! Fish tank or pet shop is also a winner.

Sounds like you're doing an amazing job, please don't worry about baby sensory classes! As many have said above, at this young age the classes are more for your benefit than hers. I tried a few different ones and have just stuck with my church toddler group (costs £1 and I'm friends with the people running it anyway) and a baby signing class called Tiny Talk. I find Tiny Talk worth paying for because it is super friendly and relaxed, teaches me some new songs and of course some signing which will hopefully help my DD communicate a bit with me before she can speak. Oh and comes with a hot drink and a biscuit during the social bit at the end 😆

I've made a few "mum friends" at each in that I talk to them at the classes and can compare notes, share stories etc which I find helpful, and I've met up with one or two during school holidays when the group isn't on, but I haven't really spoken to them outside of that.

Your friend's way of doing it, with a class every day, sounds exhausting to me haha, but then I'm an introvert so quite happy hanging out with DD by myself most of the time. She's 6 months now and we finally made it to the library the other week - which is great as they have so many books I can borrow to read to her! Sounds like you and your partner are having a great time with your little one, so please don't feel guilty about classes - but it's not all or nothing, if you happen to find one that suits then go for it 😊