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Original poster

Is it important to take my 4 month old to baby classes

29 replies

Eleanorlou · 27/03/2025 08:49

Hi, I am new mum on 1 to a 4 month old baby Boy, I’ve been stressing out becuase I haven’t been taking him to baby classes and I feel really guilty, do you guys think it’s that important to take them to these things at this young age?

OP posts:

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Easterbunnygettingsorted · 27/03/2025 08:52

Imo it's more important to think you are getting out and about!! Baby won't care right now. But socialising is important for you both.. Give 1 a try. If that one isn't a good fit try another!! Not all are cliquey or Our There!!

stackhead · 27/03/2025 08:53

No! The baby classes are more for you then they are for baby.

They help me with play ideas for home but I don't think DD would care if we stopped going.

Pinkelephant66 · 27/03/2025 08:54

Definitely not

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museumum · 27/03/2025 08:56

Classes aren’t important but it is important for both you and the baby to get out and socialise.
Baby classes can be a good supportive way to do that as everyone is in the same boat and it’s set up for mums and baby’s needs and they happen at times most mums partners and friends are at work so they’d otherwise be alone.

Coffeeishot · 27/03/2025 08:56

Baby classes especially for a 16 week old baby is for parents usually mums to mix with other parents and have a fixed time with their babies , it isn't essential to go to baby massage if you don't want to,

your baby will get as much stimulating from going for a walk in the pram/in a sling.

Meeting · 27/03/2025 08:58

God, I couldn't think of anything worse than baby classes. My idea of hell!

I never went to a single one OP. Absolutely not necessary.

Needmorelego · 27/03/2025 08:59

Classes - no.
A casual drop in session at a "mums and tots"/Stay and Play type group or a Rhyme Time session at your local library - yes they are nice to do.

AuntieBsBramble · 27/03/2025 09:00

Ugh.. not necessary for baby. They give you something to do and some structure to your days. My kids are teens now. I enjoyed the 'doing' aspects of the ones I went to but I found them all very cliquey and they made me feel lonelier part of what propelled me back to work.

That's probably luck or my terrible personality. (I don't really think second I made friends elsewhere including school mums)

Fagli · 27/03/2025 09:02

I don’t think so. I went to one and found it pointless. I much preferred to go out for a walk, look round a gallery, do some shopping. All the things you can do when the baby is portable and doesn’t talk back!!!

SmoothEncounter · 27/03/2025 09:03

If you want to get out of the house and meet other new mums, they can be useful. But in no way obligatory if you’re fine/have a good support network already.

your baby doesn’t know, want or need any of it, they just need you.

the fact you’re worried shows you are a committed loving mum and that’s all they need. Look after yourself, don’t stress the small stuff.

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 27/03/2025 09:05

No.

the only real benefit is for you / your mental health.
if you are happy as you are don’t bother.
if your baby is 4m now you might find them useful next winter as baby gets more mobile / is awake more.

i recommend you start with the council run ones or churches (stay and play, rhyme time, etc)
They are free and you aren’t committed to turning up every week.

i also didn’t mind Hartbeeps as you could book as and when but classes bored me to tears (I went as mums friends were obsessed and I wanted human contact) and are very much a “nice to have” not needed.

Jennifershuffles · 27/03/2025 09:06

Hahaha of course not! Classes are there for you to meet some other new mums and build your daytime community. If you already have one they are completely unnecessary.

Favouritefruits · 27/03/2025 09:06

It’s not important at all, the only benefit is for parents to get out of the house and meet other parents. Don’t feel guilty at all!

maw1681 · 27/03/2025 09:09

No it’s not important at all for a baby that age. It’s more about the mum getting out of the house and meeting other mums in the same situation. If you don’t feel that would benefit you though then that’s fine. Hopefully you’re managing to get out for some fresh air and change of scenery most days though?

NewsdeskJC · 27/03/2025 09:21

Babies need to be fed, cuddled, loved and sleep.

WhatDaHell · 27/03/2025 09:22

Nope, just take them out when you can

Bearhunt468 · 27/03/2025 09:28

Not at all, more for you. I haven't been to hardly any with my 2nd child as most of my friends all work part time so we meet up for walks and coffees and therefore I feel I'm getting some adult contact during the week. Some days I just go for a walk or wander around town/run errands. For what it's worth my little one is 10 months and thriving. Now I like to take her to small soft plays as she is crawling and trying to walk, and loves to be independent in this so I find a soft play is better for her. I occasionally go to the rhyme time at the library. I hate block bookings baby classes as it makes me feel tied to them and that time. Id prefer to take each week as it comes.

Straightomyhead · 27/03/2025 09:34

Going to be honest but I loved them. I tried all sorts but it was really for me to enjoy time with my little boy and structure my week so i didn’t just feel like a big expanse in front of me. He really didn’t start enjoying them until he was much older (he’s now 15 months). They do make them nap well though so if you want to tire them out, they are so worth it.

mindutopia · 27/03/2025 09:36

No, they’re just if you need to break up the day and have someone to talk to. That is important. But you can get that other ways than paid classes.

DelilahDystopia · 27/03/2025 09:37

Nope! Not important at all imo.

I did love baby sensory though,but don't imagine dd cared. Always hated swim lessons where I was in the pool, but they always slept well afterwards.

My favourite way of socialising with a baby when I didn't know anyone in my new hometown was a free mother and babies group in a church.

CheeseWisely · 27/03/2025 09:42

Classes & groups not necessarily (although I’ve been to loads with my 10 month old since he was tiny, some designed for him and some ‘Mum & Baby’ things for me, and enjoyed most of them, made some nice friends). I would say that getting out of the house regularly is important though, even if it’s just for a walk locally. Fresh air, change of scenery, new stimulation and experiences and things to see for baby. Mine always sleeps better if we’ve been out and about than in the house all day.

AliBaliBee1234 · 27/03/2025 09:45

Personally, i go to baby sensory with my 4 month old and he loves it. It also helps me socialise with other mums which is good for me.

But I wouldn't say it's important

Cinai2 · 27/03/2025 09:47

You can also look for things that appeal to you, eg I’m doing exercise classes where you can bring baby, just to get out of the house and add structure to your day. It doesn’t have to be sitting in a circle and singing nursery rhymes if that’s not your thing.

Doitrightnow · 27/03/2025 09:51

Definitely not. I liked going to something each day just to get me out of the house. DC is four now and tbh I'm still questioning whether there's been any benefit for DC in any of the clubs we've tried other than swimming.

NameChangedOfc · 27/03/2025 10:04

Absolutely not.

(Congratulations! 😊💐)

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