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Children's health

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Original poster

Are baby classes essential?

30 replies

Starry4321 · 30/10/2023 12:31

I have a 15 week old baby. My husband keeps saying that I should get to some baby classes. My baby is a good sleeper at night but has a good number of meltdowns during the day that I’m pretty sure are gas related as he is always pushing and grunting. The days where I need to get out the door early I sometimes end up in tears as I’m so stressed trying to get us both out and ready!

This has really put me off bothering with baby classes as to me it just feels like more hassle than it’s worth. Much prefer to stay at home with baby where I can read or sing to him and feed as I need to. We go out walks everyday with the pram or trips to mall. Will he miss out if we don’t do classes? I am looking at a swimming class once a week but that’s about it!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Misssassy89 · 30/10/2023 12:33

No. I took my son to one and haven't been back.

KnittedCardi · 30/10/2023 12:53

If you are happy pottering about, don't stress about it. I tried a few, and honestly, unless you find someone who you have lots in common with, other than babies, they are pretty pointless. There is nothing more boring than being baby focused. The groups I went to when DD's were older, were much more interesting.

DancingEverywhere · 30/10/2023 13:00

I didn’t go to any when my children were that young. We were happy going on walks, shopping, having time at home and seeing friends. I started to do classes and playgroup once they were about 7/8 months when they were mobile and could play and interact more. I don’t think they would have got much out of it before then.

Maybe your husband is concerned about your stress levels and you crying and thinking mixing will help with that? Are you feeling ok generally? Obviously if you’re suffering low mood then consider seeing your GP, but if you’re happy, then as long as you’re getting out and about some days you’re doing fine. I found getting out of the house got easier when they’re a bit older and weaned. 💐

INeedNewShoes · 30/10/2023 13:16

I never took DD to classes but I did meet up with two mums/babies I liked from my antenatal group. This benefited me and DD because she got used to being around other kids and I had a chance to chat about parenting stuff.

Before I became a parent the thought of socialising with mums and talking about our babies seemed deathly dull but for me it did provide a bit of reassurance that I was doing ok with DD (and very useful to see that no one was finding it all a doddle all of the time).

Needmorelego · 30/10/2023 13:18

"Classes" - no.
Stay and Play groups, Rhyme Time/Story Time at a local library - yes.

rainbow616 · 30/10/2023 13:19

Classes are mainly for the parent at this age to be honest! My baby was the same. She was an all day crier until about six months! She's lovely now (still has meltdowns!) but they're much more manageable. Give yourself a bit more time! I wouldn't feel bad about not going and baby won't be missing out imo x

Jessforless · 30/10/2023 13:20

I loved baby classes, made loads of friends and got advice… maybe just try one out and see if you like it.

Poniesandrainbows · 30/10/2023 13:22

I went to one. Hated it, never did another.

Jellybean23 · 30/10/2023 13:24

If he's so keen, DH can go to the baby classes and tell you what he's learned.

LolaSmiles · 30/10/2023 13:24

Classes" - no.
Stay and Play groups, Rhyme Time/Story Time at a local library - yes.
Agree with this
It was good to get out and have adult chit chat, even if to start with the only thing we had in common was similarly aged children.

Classes I couldn't get on board with but some of my friends really liked them and did loads. They had mixed feedback though.

maxelly · 30/10/2023 13:25

Like others have said, absolutely not as far as the baby is concerned. Newborn babies are really barely aware of anything going on around them anyway, they just want to be warm and dry and fed and cuddled, yoga and sensory play and songs or whatever else don't really matter. Baby classes are basically a very new invention and it's a way of replicating the sense of community and support around new parents IMO, which used to be given by neighbours, family etc but in this isolated nuclear family centric world doesn't happen as naturally any more. I guess it's this your DH is worried you are missing out on, it is easy to isolate yourself with a new baby - maybe don't put pressure on yourself to leave the house by a certain time but I would try and find ways to get out and about, if classes don't do it for you are you meeting up with friends or just going for strolls around the park or to the shops etc regularly?

wellingtonsandwaffles · 30/10/2023 13:27

I didn’t do any classes but did try and get out to meet friends / walk etc. and did a lot of free or £1 turn up groups at libraries, churches, children centres where you weren’t committed but could meet others and benefit from change of scene!

Parakeetamol · 30/10/2023 13:27

No, but personally I found getting out of the house, no matter how hard and stressful it was, was better than staring at four walls all day. I did a lot of walking but the baby classes meant I had somewhere to walk to and stopped me heading to the shops and buying things I didn't need.

nobleisle · 30/10/2023 13:27

I needed them for my sanity. We did a class once a day then a play date in the morning or afternoon . Looking back I don't know how I wasn't exhausted but I was so scared of isolating myself and being lonely.

If you're happy staying in stay in but I'd start going to them soon they are nice for the baby... and for you! I loved them

Superscientist · 30/10/2023 13:28

I did 2/3 babies classes. The third was online due to lockdown

I would try to do a class or two it's something different for 6 weeks but I wouldn't push it too much

I have done a weekly toddler group since my daughter was 1 and we both get much more out of that than we ever did the baby classes. It's a free for all for 45 minutes, mum's get a free cup of tea/coffee and then there are some nursery rhymes. It's brilliant!

RedCoffeeCup · 30/10/2023 13:28

They're not essential, but you may find you enjoy them. Some are pay as you go so no money wasted if you can't make it one week which may reduce the stress. It's fine if you're happy at home, but you may start feeling a bit lonely.

Reugny · 30/10/2023 13:35

OP do you see family, friends and neighbours including those with children?

As while you don't need to take your child out to classes, playgroups or stuff in the library you do need to socialise your baby. You also should get out yourself.

Original poster

Starry4321 · 30/10/2023 14:05

Reugny · 30/10/2023 13:35

OP do you see family, friends and neighbours including those with children?

As while you don't need to take your child out to classes, playgroups or stuff in the library you do need to socialise your baby. You also should get out yourself.

@Reugny We go out for a 45 min/hour walk every day which I love doing. Im a big believer in getting out into the fresh air every day so I think that’s been good for us both. I also have two friends who have a toddler and a baby a few months older so we meet up with them too. We have family and friends popping in regularly so in general things are fairly busy. I guess signing up to the classes felt like a bit of a stressful chore ontop of daily life with a young baby!

I have booked a swimming class as anyway so I’ll see how I get on with that as I like that it has a focus!

OP posts:

ErrolTheDragon · 30/10/2023 14:19

Babies don't need 'classes'.

'Baby Swimming' can be fun if you both enjoy it but it's not essential, it doesn't teach them to swim.

Do 'classes' if you find them a relaxing social event, don't do them if it's stressful. It sounds like you're doing fine as it is tbh.

Why on earth does your DH think you should go to 'baby classes'?

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/10/2023 16:55

Baby groups are fur the parents rather than the babies in my experience

UsingChangeofName · 30/10/2023 17:13

As so many others have said.

Baby classes are for the parents, not for the baby.
Baby isn't missing out at all.
But many (most?) parents gain something from interacting with others who have similarly aged dc, just for the chat / conversations you have with them.
Seems you are getting that interaction from the friends you already have, so no reason at all for you to go.
Some new Mums can be quite isolated on maternity leave though, so finding groups where there are other parents with similar aged dc can be really helpful to those Mums.

Original poster

Starry4321 · 30/10/2023 21:22

ErrolTheDragon · 30/10/2023 14:19

Babies don't need 'classes'.

'Baby Swimming' can be fun if you both enjoy it but it's not essential, it doesn't teach them to swim.

Do 'classes' if you find them a relaxing social event, don't do them if it's stressful. It sounds like you're doing fine as it is tbh.

Why on earth does your DH think you should go to 'baby classes'?

I think he feels that the classes are important for babies to socialise with each other. I think he also thought it would be a good way for me to meet more mums locally.

So far the thought of attending feels like a bit of chore. It’s so much easier to go out and about on my own schedule depending on the mood DS is in. If we are having a tricky day the last thing I want to do is drag us both out to a (paid for) class while he cries the whole way through.

OP posts:

shivawn · 30/10/2023 21:31

Do what works for you. Babies don't socialise with each other. When your child is older, 18 months+ then socialisation is a bit more important but absolutely pointless for a 15 week old. Baby classes at this age are a social outlet for parents not babies so if you don't want to join then there's no need. Swimming is the biggest hassle of all the baby classes in my opinion but hopefully you'll enjoy it.

mulberrybag5 · 01/11/2023 01:58

looking back, they are more for you than baby - something to do in the day and connecting with people. I found them overwhelming. I didn’t go to any, although I tried to sign up to plenty. I just couldn’t face them and felt so guilty and useless. It’s made zero difference to my children’s lives, just affected my memories of that time. Don’t feel you have to do anything - you being happy with what you are doing is what’s important..

coxesorangepippin · 01/11/2023 01:59

Nope

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