Advice please about how to meet other mums and babies

[Lilipot15]

Hello, we are moving to a new town soon and I am worried about meeting other new mums. I shall have a small age gap, and we don't have the time or inclination to do an NCT antenatal class which is where most of the mums I've met this time round have made their friends. These groups have been very exclusive - if I chat to people at groups and suggest meeting up, they are usually already booked up with their "NCT gang" - yes, someone called it that, and they don't seem to invite new people in. Maybe I've been unlucky - my husband considers that where we live is quite unfriendly compared to where we're moving to. I'll be having a planned section, so even less reason to do NCT.
I would be grateful for others experiences about the best places to meet other new mums to form friendships with - I'd like to be able to have someone to go for coffee with, and have proper chats with like-minded people. In my head I suppose I've already considered that some groups have time to mingle whereas others are just turn up, do an activity, eg baby swimming / music and then folk rush off afterwards to do their own thing. Any suggestions welcome folks!

How about postnatal exercise classes? Yoga or Mums & Tums sort of things, hopefully you can find similar not too far away? A fair few churches in my city seem to host mum & baby/toddler groups too so worth a try even if not religious - don't think that comes into it at all. There are also postnatal NCT groups (and NCT aren't the only such organisation). Good luck!

Agree that postnatal classes are good. Also see if there are any sure start centres near you for cheap mum and baby activities. Oh and look for classes in locations with cafes. So a baby yoga class run in a community hub with a coffee shop downstairs, as mums will be more likley to stop for a coffee and you can join in. Also try netmums to find other mums in your area. Where are you moving to?

Good luck! :-)

Join your local facebook parenting group and see if there's anyone at same stage as you and suggest a meet up.

Where I live (London) just being a member of NCT means that you can go to local meets. You don't need to have done the classes. They do a coffee morning which is usually full of people wanting to socialise. Maybe they do something similar in your new town.

Thank you for the suggestions. I hadn't realised NCT did postnatal coffee mornings, that might be worth looking into. Postnatal exercise classes will also be much needed! And hopefully there will be some friendly folks at toddler groups as well, I'm aiming to get my toddler into nursery two mornings a week to a) give her a bit of time away from a breast feeding baby and b) give me a chance to get out with the new baby so the other days I will aim to take the new baby along to things for toddlers.
Moving to Hull so presumably between there and Beverley there will be quite a few things going on, next time I am child free for a while to get on the computer I shall have a browse!

I was going to suggest other NCT classes - postnatal and coffee mornings. How about a breastfeeding cafe? I don't think they're only for people who need help - I believe they're also nice places to take babies. I hear there's always cake too

Ooh yes, a breast feeding cafe sounds a good idea. I wish I had persevered with the breastfeeding support group I went to early on with DD, but somehow it seemed at the wrong time to get to easily when you're in the midst of working out how on earth to get out of the house...got much better at that now! I went to get advice but now I think about it there were a load of mums who seemed to just go and chat and chill and feed.

I think it's so much easier to make friends after the baby is born. There has already been some great suggestions. Toddler groups are good we have three women who come with their newborns to ours and everyone is really friendly with them because we've all been there and also because it's obvious they are there to get out of the house and make friends. Plus there is always someone there who wants to hold your baby and give you a break and a coffee in peace

I've just moved from London up north and have met lots of people at playgroups. I have joined the playgroups' FB groups so I know what is going on eg if there is an Easter event planned, plus have pushed myself to talk to friendly looking people and explain I am new to the area, so everyone knows I am friendless and they have been really nice.

Remember to ask parents their names - I kept getting talking about the children and then kicking myself for not asking parents' names at first!

When you move speak to your heath visitor they should know about local things going on & May even run a group. There will be mother & toddler groups about & if you are near a cinema they might do parents & baby screenings.

Thanks, hadn't even thought of asking the health visitor.
And the tip about making sure you ask the parents names is good funchum - I got to the end of baby sensory and realised I knew plenty of baby names and no mums names! I am keen to make some friends who know me as me, rather than just "X's mummy" and "Y's wife" in the new area so shall remember that tip!
I am moving from a village with one playgroup that isn't the most friendly - at least in a bigger place I will have more options.

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. It takes time as making friends as an adult I find tough! I tried to get on nct meetups but they are very cliquey where I am unfortunately so no joy there.
I met a good friend at baby sensory, also worth looking at what's on at your library, sure start children's centre, also a lot of churches have stuff on.
It takes time to make a good friend though where you both genuinely are friends (instead of having the only thing in common a baby!)