Stay and play with a 2 month old, very nervous, what happens at a session?

[LDNmummy]

I have a good social network so since having DD 2 months ago I have not done any social activities outside of seeing people I already know. The problem with this is that it means the rest of the time DD and I are stuck at home or going for walks in the same monotonous routine.

I have finally got her napping regularly and well, which means we are getting up earlier and have time for more activities during the day. I am being encouraged to attend my local Stay and Play but I am nervous. I wouldn't know anyone there and I am not good with talking to new people. Could someone tell me what Stay and Play usually involves so I know what to expect?

I am also wondering if going with a 2 month old is usual. I want my DD to get out into new surroundings more and to become more socialised.

At ours, you go in and get your baby weighed while a member of staff maybe has a chat with you. Then there's a big play mat and lots of toys and chairs so you can put baby down and have a sit down. There's normally cups of tea so you can have a drink. IME, people are normally very friendly and chatty - most people don't go regularly so it's not too cliquey and a good opportunity to meet some new people and hear about other stuff going on. I'm sure they are all different though.

I've just got back from a Stay & Play session with my 13 month old, and there were 3 little babies there - about 12 weeks I think? They all laid together on a sheepskin rug under a play gym, my DS was very curious and laid down next to them wittering BABA! BABA!

I've found them to be really friendly, the staff who run the sessions make an effort to chat to everyone and the other parents/carers there are lovely too. I'm usually crap at new social situations but we really enjoy Stay & Play, far better than any of those £5-per-session franchise sessions IMO!

Thanks for the responses!

I am off to one in a couple of hours and looking forward to it now. Will be great to get baby out to places with other LO's.

i started taking my dd last week at 11 weeks

i wish i had gone earlier.... lots of lovely toys, a really friendly welcome by the leader and genuinely nice mummies. we met a 4 week old yesturday!

enjoy it.... im sure u will

Hope it goes ok.

Where I live the local Children's Centre holds Stay and Plays for Under 5s which are usually quite hectic, with toddlers running around and lots of craft activities as well as toys out. They also do an Under Ones group, the toys are similar but instead of crafts each week they have messy play once a month. It's a bit calmer, with more chance to chat. So if you do find the session today a bit manic it's worth finding out whether there's anything locally just for babies.

Also, see whether your local library does a rhyme time session, a lot do. Your DD might be a bit young for that at the moment but would probably enjoy it in a few weeks' time.

worrying about a 2 month old starting to socialise? christ, i thought you meant two year old!

I took DS to stay n play ( at a surestart children centre) a couple of times at that age, he wasn't keenon the noise (big room, lots of tots) BUT it was usefull for me as staff let me know about the baby group, the breast feeding mums group and the fortnightly lunch club,all of which became regular parts of our week. The baby group led onto treasure baskets and hueristic play, I eventully did some adult ed at the centre ( which led to volunteering which has led to part time work in a school) and when he was a toddler he liked stay n play.

don't fret too much about your 2 month old socialising, but if YOU want to get out and have a purpose to your day and maybe a cuppa and a friendly ear to gripe about lack of sleep too stay n play can be good start.