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Parenting

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Original poster

Baby classes when you have a toddler as well

25 replies

Oakelmbark · 30/01/2022 07:56

Planning no2 and I know my maternity leave will be different second time, but mostly wondering about baby classes, did people just not bother or did you arrange for childcare for your toddler?

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Aroundtheworldin80moves · 30/01/2022 07:59

I went to stuff suitable for both really. I tried to book something during the 2 preschool sessions we had for toddler, but she decided that those 6hrs a week were perfect for napping in.

SydneyCarton · 30/01/2022 08:01

Same here, although tbh I found the baby classes a bit pointless. I did one a week while the toddler was in nursery and the rest of the time we went to church hall type playgroups that they could both enjoy.

madmadamemim · 30/01/2022 08:02

I booked on to a baby sensory for my youngest but couldn't always get childcare for eldest so gave up on it and just went for things they could both attend (mainly toddler groups!)

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KatieKat88 · 30/01/2022 08:05

I only have DD(2) but around here there are playgroups where it's mixed age or younger siblings get brought along to toddler classes.

tiramisualwaystiramisu · 30/01/2022 08:08

I kept DC1 in nursery but on reduced hours so I could have one full day where I could do baby-specific activities. The rest of the time I found activities I could take both of them too. Some playgroups, but a few classes where I could have the baby in the sling or carseat

HogDogKetchup · 30/01/2022 08:08

I work PT so have sent my toddler to nursery 3 days a week as usual. I go to classes then. I do take them both to the village play group but find the baby just stares at a different ceiling. It’s getting a bit easier - my toddler is quite clingy.

kitkatsky · 30/01/2022 08:15

Be aware that toddlers haven't been allowed to any baby classes during my last year of maternity ti reduce footfall due to covid. Playgroups are fine but not classes. Of course it might be different by the time you have number 2 but who knows?

icklekid · 30/01/2022 08:17

I tended to do stuff for the toddler and baby tagged along rather than stuff for the baby and deal with a bored toddler! Finding someone else to have the toddler would have worked too though!

BuffaloHigh · 30/01/2022 08:20

I kept my oldest in nursery 2 days a week so did a baby class on one of those days. I also took the baby along to a toddler class for my oldest. Easier doing it that way than the other!

Idontevenknow · 30/01/2022 08:21

I went to classes for both, I did still go to baby sensory. Sometimes I got childcare but the teacher was accommodating and let people bring toddlers too

FlexibleWorkingDenied · 30/01/2022 08:21

Do you have Hartbeeps near you?

SheWoreYellow · 30/01/2022 08:23

I just did stuff for the toddler and the baby got a different view for 45 minutes or whatever.

HardbackWriter · 30/01/2022 08:23

DS1 still went to nursery two days a week so I could do 'baby' things then - but the normal pattern seems to be (and this is what I did the other three days) that you take the baby to things that are primarily for the older child rather than the other way round.

Original poster

Oakelmbark · 30/01/2022 08:28

What is Hartbeeps, please?

Thanks @HardbackWriter that’s what I’m hoping to do. I will definitely be doing toddler classes for the older one but just want the baby to be able to go swimming and something just for them!

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Sausagesausagesausage · 30/01/2022 08:33

Eldest was in nursery so went on those days. Family provided childcare for baby so I could take then 3yo to swimming lesson. We go to a weekly playgroup that I can take both to.

TooMinty · 30/01/2022 08:48

On Monday and Tuesday the toddler went to nursery so I had full days with just the baby. On Wednesday I took the baby to a music class and my mum took the toddler to his music class then we all had lunch together. On Thursday I took them both to baby and toddler group. On Friday I took the baby to his gym class and my dad took the toddler to a toddler gym class then we had lunch together afterwards.

But I was lucky I could afford to pay for nursery while on mat leave and also had lots of help from parents/in-laws (in-laws preferred to do park trips etc rather than classes).

Original poster

Oakelmbark · 30/01/2022 08:53

That is lucky! I’m hoping for two days at nursery but the other three days will have to find baby / toddler classes for both.

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FlexibleWorkingDenied · 30/01/2022 08:54

@Oakelmbark

What is Hartbeeps, please?

Thanks @HardbackWriter that’s what I’m hoping to do. I will definitely be doing toddler classes for the older one but just want the baby to be able to go swimming and something just for them!

www.hartbeeps.com/

TooMinty · 30/01/2022 08:57

The second baby might not need as much to keep them entertained, mine basically just wanted to be wherever his big brother was and watch him!

Original poster

Oakelmbark · 30/01/2022 09:12

There aren’t any Hartbeeps here. There are things that I could take them both to but it would be nice to have something for the baby and suited to this age.
Aww @TooMinty

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Greenlight4 · 30/01/2022 09:18

Locally there are a couple of mixed age groups.
I would say that it's tricky to bring a toddler to baby classes. My friend used to attempt it but it meant her toddler was often tripping over the babies on the floor or at least making their new mums anxious he was going to stand on them. He was slightly too old for the activity so was always a bit too boisterous. In the end she tried a soft play type (but gave up as she was always just walking around after the toddler so not doing the baby bits). She joined a mixed age one and felt much less self conscious about him being bigger, louder etc and more like he was a normal toddler

Snowiscold · 30/01/2022 09:24

I would do toddler classes where baby can come too. I would not do baby classes at all. My second child did not have the same experiences as my first, and baby classes were one of the things that were dropped. They aren’t necessary anyway - more something to do for the parent most of the time. Although my second child had different experiences to my first, it doesn’t mean that those experiences were less valuable. My second had the experience of living with an older toddler sibling from day one -and that was to their benefit, I think.

Lockdownmummy · 30/01/2022 09:49

DS is still in nursery for two days a week so we do a baby class then.

Currently taking DS to a dance class which DD just tags along to and sits/sleeps in the pram. Now she is sitting hoping to change to a music class so they can both take part.

Also go to a stay and play which is me and DD following DS around!

I've found babies are welcome to toddler classes but not vice versa.

Original poster

Oakelmbark · 30/01/2022 09:52

My baby enjoyed baby classes and so did I.

I have similar visions of toddler / baby classes @Greenlight4

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Dogsandbabies · 30/01/2022 10:04

We do a few classes for both. They are usually branded as 0-4 years. And then I send my toddler to nursery two mornings a week and do baby sensory and baby massage just with the baby.

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