Do you go to baby classes?

[Cafeaulait27]

My baby is 8 months, I used to take him to a nursery rhyme class but his naps have changed and he sleeps through it now.

Whenever I try to take him to a sensory type class he doesn’t seem to enjoy it really - often it’s dark with loud music and lots of mums and babies talking/crying and he seems to go quiet like he’s very overwhelmed. I always feel a bit deflated after and like I must be doing something wrong.

we visit family, have people over, take him out to cafes, shops, farms, on trains etc and he’s always pretty happy with all this as well as just playing at home. Is this ok?

I used to feel like I needed to get out every day as I was lonely and struggling at the beginning of mat leave, but now I feel much more comfortable just hanging out at home with him and popping out to the shops or for a walk. Sometimes we’ll meet up with friends but maybe only once a week.

im conscious that he’ll be going to nursery soon and want him to be happy there, but keep worrying and second guessing everything I’m doing and thinking what if I’m messing him up and wrapping him in cotton wool too much.

would be great to get some reassurance that what I’m doing is ok please!

My personal opinion is that classes are designed to build up your network of mum friends who have babies at a similar stage to you. It’s also to beat those long days with the baby.

I really didn’t enjoy the baby classes either, I had similar sentiments to you. I don’t think babies benefit too much, only once they are over 1, would they.

I did the same as you, pottered about and was very happy not being tied down to classes. So you’re doing nothing wrong and certainly not holding back your baby. Enjoy your oh so precious time off with your baby and use the time as you enjoy it. When the toddler stage arrives, it will be more on their terms. So enjoy it now while it’s still on yours xx

Ni I didnt.
I went once to a mum and baby group and hated it.
It sounds like you are doing ok. Dont over think it!!! You are not messing him up.
I liked going out for the day with mine, doing our own thing, meeting friends etc. The babies turned out perfectly well.

I've never been to a baby group, DD is 2. During maternity leave we went for walks and met up with a couple of friends who had babies similar ages most weeks. DD settled in with childminder just fine at a year and is now happy at nursery. One of my mates went to every group going and her toddler settled into nursery about the same as mine did. From what I've seen and heard groups are more for the mums and if thats not your thing then don't feel bad about it! Also DD has developed just fine without baby sensory etc. Plenty of opportunities in day to day life to discover new things.

What you're doing is totally fine.

We do go to classes, swimming, story time etc but I have an easily bored baby who likes to be out and seeing different places and faces.

I went to baby sensory but that's all.
Like pp I sometimes think they are more for the mums.

He will be fine at nursery, like I say we only done the above for 2 month then stopped and my boy settled in fine.

I went with my first. I loved the rhyme time library type things, but the "wave a scarf above your baby" type classes (usually for £££) really didn't do it for me. This time round I'm much more honest - I want mum friends so I invite people I think I might click with for a coffee / picnic in the park / to mine if I know them a little bit, and we can chat while the babies roll around.

Baby classes are for mums I think. I was like you, I used them to build my confidence around getting out with a baby. But by six months I was back at work full time!

With my youngest, I didn't bother because lots were for babies only and I had a toddler too! When my youngest was a baby we just did lots of days out, soft play etc.

Thank you this is so reassuring!

whenever I go to a class, I find no one talks to each other unless they already know each other. In the early days I tried to make an effort but now I can’t be bothered. I think I actually now just feel much more happy in our routine and life. I’m getting to go out a bit more with friends from before I had him like for dinner and stuff once he’s in bed which I really enjoy. I feel like my old life is starting to come back. When I first went on mat leave I panicked and felt like I’d never see my old friends again, and that I had to make loads of mum friends. I have actually found that the few mum connections I made through antenatal classes have sort of fizzled out now the newborn madness is over, as we didn’t have much in common apart from having babies at the same time!

I didn't do anything with DD until she was nearly 2! We lived in a tiny village where there was absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to go without a car (DH needed it for work). We eventually went to the local toddler group but it was awful. Moved to the next town when she was 2 and started going to a toddler group there which was fabulous. She went until she started school.

I now take DS to the same one. It's our last session next week before he goes to school in Sept and I'm really sad! I also used to take him to Rhymetime in DD's school when he was a baby, but only because it was free and I was there anyway. Then Covid happened and it had to stop.

Now that they're both too old to go to groups, I sort of regret not doing more. And then at the same time I'm glad I didn't.

I went to a bumps and babies group which I loved. It was a 'tea and sympathy' group where the parents could chat and they babies could just lie there, sleep or cry. It didn't matter.

I did a yoga class that I enjoyed too and again that was totally for me.

I didn't do any sing and sign or sensory classes as I felt you never got to actually chat to the other mums and that was what I wanted.

My son is 9 months and I never really liked baby classes. They felt too forced to me, and seemed a lot of the babies were just really overstimulated by the end.

A lot of things can be reenacted at home, when it suits us both and he's in the mood.

I try to get outside with him as much as possible, he loves it.

There are some good baby and toddler groups nearby, I have tried a couple but think they'll be better for him when he's a little older.

My DD is 7 months, first baby, and I havent been to baby classes.
Im not a social butterfly and the thought of sitting in a circle trying to 'make mum friends' filled me with dread.
I was put off by a friend who said groups can be awkward if you dont already have a friend there.
Instead I have basically followed my own baby sensory at home. Found lots of ideas online and followed it.
We go out alot for walks and see friends with children.
DD seems fine, a very alert baby who is inquisitive and developing well.
She will learn more at nursery im sure and wont miss out.
When she is a toddler i will do more with her im sure and it will be led by what she wants to do and is interested in.

I went to baby sensory classes but that was more for my boy to get used to other people /babies as I don't have a huge family and oh family don't live in the uk. The older he got the more he seemed to enjoy it. I think they can be quite clique. The first few blocks were really good as most of the mums had just had their babies. I then had to change days/times and that lot weren't as friendly, but I didn't really care as it was more about my boy and i wasn't interested in making friends.

No but mainly as the class ones are really pricey (to me anyway) and I don’t like that lots of them make you sign up for a term.
we just go to the local church hall baby groups, £1 entry fee and that comes with a cuppa.