Baby groups

[Aurora94]

Hiya all, I am 2 weeks postpartum today and just wondering when did everyone start going to baby and mum groups?
we have been out of the house most days but have only ventured to the shops, family and the pub so far 🤣 as well as what feels like never ending amounts of hospital/midwife appointments 😅
I know at this stage baby won’t really get much out of it but it drives me mad staying in all day so I want to get out as much as possible. Saying that, going to groups alone does scare me slightly as I’m not usually the most social person and don’t want it to just be really awkward.

I started to take my daughter when she was about 6/7 months. I was pregnant again by the time she was 3 months old so I didn’t really have the energy to go to any groups.

From what I saw, small babies don’t really benefit much until they’re crawling/able to sit up by themselves etc. Do you have any mum friends? I found it easier to meet up with them for something to drink or eat and we’d bring our babies along. Sometimes I’d just take DD outside and I’d end up sitting in a cafe for 2 or so hours. My local children centre also has free mum groups which I found much nicer than standard baby groups. Maybe you can find something like that too?

I say, whenever you feel like going, just go. You’ll be glad that you left the house anyway

Congratulations on the baby!

Depends on what groups are on in your area. I went to a great one that was for non walking babies. You just rocked up with your newborn and drank tea / chatted, was great.

There was also baby massage. Took ds to that from 6 weeks to 10 months. Dd hated it so couldn't take her at all!

With the traditional 'church hall / toys everywhere' type set up there is sometimes a baby area so that could be doable as soon as u felt ready.

I absolutely love my groups and go to almost one a day! Great way to make friends

Depends on your energy levels and your finances I suppose.

Personally, I hadn't gone anywhere 2 weeks after giving birth !

I started my first class at 5 weeks but would happily have gone earlier if they'd let me 😂 Different things for different people. Like you I couldn't wait to get out the house. I did a LOT of walking on mat leave...

I started attending when the baby was around 4 months, she didn't get much out of it but I went for my own sanity and she's 12 months now and I love all the groups and she gets lots out of them now.

Went at 6 weeks and it was purely for me to get out and only to a stay and play at the local children’s centre the baby didn’t really get much.

went back at about 3 months and much better- and finally made some mum friends from doing the baby massage class- it really made a difference seeing the same people every week!!

Started at 9 weeks but at that age its definitely more for the parents than the babies.

I started when ds was 12 weeks old. He didn’t really get much out of it (that I could tell) until he was about 6 months old but it helped for me to get into a pattern. I now go to a few different classes and swimming.

We did baby massage , baby sensory, breastfeeding support group and a parent and baby group. These were all ran by local children centre/nhs and were 0-12m. I made a group of friends there too.

When ds got a bit older we attended regular playgroups for 0-4 years

Hey,

I had a baby at the beginning of July and signed up to some classes which began mid- September. My baby had no idea what was going on, I was exhausted and stressed trying to get to the class on time, it was all a pretty hectic exercise. I ended up bailing on a lot of the sessions. My baby is now 6 months old and I'm going to try another couple of classes this 'term'. If you're keen, I'd recommend booking a 'drop in' class rather than booking a term to see if you and your bambino enjoy it.

To add- i much preferred meeting my NCT group for coffee/ walks. It's definitely good to get leave the house and do something.

I run a group you would be welcomed in to have a nice cuppa, chat to others offers of help and understanding of the changes and difficulties of being a new mum.

I started taking my son to baby swimming classes at 2 weeks old and baby music classes at 6 weeks old. He might not get much out of the groups themselves but he does seem to enjoy getting out of the house and having a change of scenery. He gets bored easily so it’s easier to keep him happy if we’re out doing things than if we’re stuck at home all day.

This was exactly me. 5 weeks I started. I had to get out the house. I also did soooo much walking.

I'd recommend a baby massage class. They are good for really young babies and also you get to meet mums, it's quiet class (no lights music etc) so you can have a nice chat. I liked it.

Never! It just wasn't for me. I met up with friends if I felt the need to socialise. I enjoyed going out and about - museums, parks that kinda thing, just pottering really. Then went off travelling for 5 months when my son was 6 months old. I never felt I missed out not doing the classes. My son is now 7 at school, happy, doing fine etc. So he didn't miss out either! I guess it's a case of not going if you don't feel they would work for you. They are of course a lifeline for many.

Everyone is different. I stayed at home in my happy baby bubble for 10 weeks. A Friend of mine took her baby into see her work colleagues when the baby was days old. Just do what's right for you.

7 months and by then I was pregnant again 🤣

I wouldn't take them any younger as it's mostly for the mum. However go and try and make some new mum friends and get out the house!

I'd also wait until baby has had most injections.

I run a playgroup. We love when babies come in. The youngest we had was 3 days old. The mum was a regular with her toddler and she needed somewhere she could go and feel supported and toddler needed the routine.

If it was my group you would be warmly welcomed, given a drink and chatted to for the 2 hours we run. We have all been there, we know how you feel!

I joined the post natal group when my first was three weeks. After the class was over we continued to meet up for years after. I think once he could sit up we went to monkey music and once he could toddle around the weekly play group.
But I also did a regular three mile circuit of walking to town for a coffee and window shop then back home again. Got me out and feeling part of the community, even if I wasn't actually talking to people.

Here the local children's centre call to invite you to their groups, I first went to one called early days when baby was 3 weeks. Nice to get out and chat, drink and biscuits, and I feel it benefitted the baby there was black and white sensory things, nursery rhymes and info about development, safe sleep/travel, feeding etc
Then it moved onto baby massage after 4 weeks
Then baby days after a bit of a break so around 4/5 months I think, songs, water play, bubbles, sensory activity etc
Also went to a breastfeeding group early on
Every one is different I enjoyed the groups and now baby is 11 months I still go to breastfeeding as I am friends with the mums etc, play and learn group and a baby signing group. I like to get out the house and it's a break for me, also did lots of walking as she's always slept well in the pram or sling
Congratulations on your baby!

Love a baby group. I went to a breastfeeding support one, music with mummies (might be a regional one I’m not sure) and baby sensory. Definitely more for you than them at the beginning! I found them much less daunting then playgroup type places as they are structured.
I made some lovely friends particularly at baby sensory but you do have to put yourself out there a bit - I would go and sit near other mums that looked like they came alone.
When baby was around 6 months we also started swimming lessons.
We didn’t start doing playgroup/toddler group type places until he was around a year.

I started when she was 6 weeks. We did baby massage and sensory. She slept through most of it but the massage was great for learning how to relieve gas and soothe during witching hours. Sensory was great when she was awake. I needed it for my sanity to get out and talk to other people x

Oh and baby cinema was the highlight of my week! I went with my nct friends, 10am showing then we'd go for a long lunch. Was so lovely