What baby classes?

[gem584848838]

FTM of a 11 week old baby. Starting to have a look at classes/groups that I can take my little one to.

Can anyone with experience of this advise on the classes they found the best and ones they didn't like so much. I've not got loads of money so want any classes I do to be worthwhile.

TIA

Baby sensory was our favourite. You do need to pay in advance but because of this it also wasnt over crowded as only so many places per class.

Another vote for baby sensory. Amazing classes, we went from 8 weeks old until 12 months and I still miss them! He got so much out of them.

Baby sensory is fantastic. Definitely top of my list. I started at 3 months for mine and they loved it.

I like music ones. I sing the songs we learn at home and they can be fun/soothing...granted I knew these songs from my childhood but I’d forgotton! Have you got hartbeeps near you? If so that’s music but lots of elements from baby sensory (I think - never been to a sensory class) with lots of lights, textures to touch, toys to play with etc

Just a warning - I’ve been going to classes since mine was 8 weeks and I’m only just feeling now at 6m that she’s getting something out of them! But up until now I’ve been enjoying them and I like to get out, so still worth it in my mind x

A sling dance class was our absolute favourite, nearly all the babies were rocked to sleep in the slings by the movement and it was great exercise. Others that we really enjoyed were baby sensory, baby massage, and baby sign (although that one was from about 9mo)

I'll go against the consensus here and say that we did five sessions of baby sensory (the fewest I could book) and didn't enjoy it much. We've both loved Hartbeeps though and would still be going now at 15mo if I wasn't back at work. The first session is half price, and you can book week by week if you want to rather than committing to a whole block or term.

We also used the children's centre loads, which just had a tin out for a donation. In the early days he slept or fed while I chatted with other mums, so it was a cheap option for getting out of the house. Sessions at your local library can also be good.

To be honest, at that age I wouldnt bother. Just go for free classes like sing and rhyme at the library, breastfeeding cafe, church baby groups. They're too young to get much out of it so if you dont have much money, save it for when they're old enough to appreciate It a bit more.

Baby sensory, swimming & sing & sign were my favourites.
After 6 months messy play is fantastic, I absolutely love creation station if you have one near you.

I hated baby sensory so a lot might be dependent on the teacher. It was just a bit too fast passed. It was just too much stimulation for my first and i didn’t go with my second as I knew she’d be overwhelmed. Sing and sign was good with my first. Swimming has been good with both. Our favourite at that age was baby massage and then baby yoga.

If you're short of cash I wouldn't bother with classes for an 11 week old unless they are free (eg rhyme time at the library). At this age he or she will get as much stimulation doing stuff with you at home.

I tried a lot of the national franchise classes and the only one my baby “liked” was the local council’s baby centre, baby and music class.
It was free, but the teacher was by far the most qualified I encountered, relaxed and engaging. Loved it. My advice is look around Trial a load and see what sticks!

If money is tight I also wouldn’t bother, save the money for when your baby will get more out of things like that. Depending on where you live there’s often free things about. Libraries near me do a free song/ music time weekly which was really nice and then obviously you can spend a while with the books after to pass a bit more time. Our council also ran free ‘pram fit’ style exercise classes and there was a sling walk group that met in a local walking area and did a 3/4 mile walk each week - again free.

Otherwise look around church type playgroups, generally a lot cheaper as only £1/2

Our local health visitors do a Sing and Play that is only £2 and really good (some of their groups are more expensive). Library sessions are always good and free. I've done other paid classes but wouldn't say they are much better. Church play groups are good for socialising as previous posters have said.

My baby enjoyed singing and sensory (with the health visitors) most.