How important is a playgroup for baby's development?

[DoNotLoseHope]

How important is a play group for the development of a baby. I’ve noticed my nearly 4 month old ends up crying when being held by relatives. I don’t really enjoy playgroups but only going to help her get used to seeing other humans and help her kind of socialise with others
id much rather go to a coffee shop and walk rather than a sensory baby play group

They're not important at all if you regularly meet up with other people. And even if you don't your baby doesn't need lots of other people. It's perfectly normal for a baby to cry when held by others and going to playgroup won't help with that.

But it's nice to talk to other parents, get out of the house and it's great for toddlers to make friends, learn to share and to play with toys you might not have at home.

Im no child development expert but I think it's quite good for baby to experience different places and being around other people too. I never did any sensory groups but took my twins to local baby groups where you could just go and chat with other parents and have a cuppa and a biscuit. I really enjoyed them but to be honest went more for me than for baby!

Not important at all, definitely more for mum’s and getting out and about than being particularly beneficial for small babies. As long as they’re getting out and about there’s no issue

At four months any groups are for your benefit not the baby.

At 4 months in my opinion playgroups are not needed, only if you actually enjoy it - it gets you out of the house talking to other adults. Some groups are great for getting a cup of tea and a snack (and a good moan).

At 1.5 - 2 they like to play along-side other children and are curious, and later (3/4 years) they really start to play and make friends. So it is really great to go around those ages so they get to experience playing next to other children (sharing / getting toys snatched), turn taking, collaborating and generally making friends. Also they get to play with toys and messy play that you might not have at home, and they generally enjoy the change of scenery. If they are not going to nursery/preschool before starting school then this is great preparation.

I found that some playgroups are better than others (effort with activities) and also I find that the atmosphere varies from place to place. Sometimes it is worth trying a few to get somewhere that suits you.

At 4 months she is probably too little to get much out of.
I did take my daughter to the local library Rhyme Time at that age (she often fell asleep 😂) but an actual playgroup is better from 1 year or so.

They are not important at all for a baby (though become more beneficial when they become toddlers IMO).

I found them fantastic for me because I really enjoyed chatting to other mums and having a plan for the day, but don't force yourself if it's not your thing. At nearly 4 months old, the only relationship that really matters for your baby is her relationship with you. If you're holding her, talking to her, singing to her etc. it honestly doesn't matter whether you're at a baby class, at home, or sat in your favourite coffee shop. My advice is to make the most of this freedom before she gets strong opinions on what you get up to

Not important for a baby.
Occasionally important if the mother has little experience of other children and what is developmentally appropriate, and they can provide a social setting for the parent.

I don’t really enjoy playgroups but only going to help her get used to seeing other humans and help her kind of socialise with others
id much rather go to a coffee shop and walk rather than a sensory baby play group

Totally fine, at 4 months I mostly took my baby for long walks, to browse around the shops, for coffee or a late afternoon glass of wine with another mum followed by a walk.

Don’t go to the groups if you don’t enjoy them. Playgroups are better for toddlers who can actually play with the toys and learn to play along side others children / sharing etc. Before then they’re just really good for parents and carers to get out of the house and socialise with others!
I did find that actual classes were good for development - we started a music class when my oldest was just under 1 and he learnt various songs and actions etc, so that was beneficial.
A 4 month old baby doesn’t need socialising and being passed around people won’t necessarily be helping her to be ok around others. She’ll grow in confidence around other people if she feels safe - so being held by you and then people can interact with her.
Go on your walks, don’t put pressure on yourself to get your very young baby to be happy to socialise. That will come later. Also, some babies are naturally more confident and sociable than others anyway.

Not important at all. They’re for you, so you don’t feel lonely and depressed.

Babies don’t need playgroups. Children don’t really properly play with others until 2-3. What they need is care and love and communication from an adult they are securely attached to. Some people struggle with that and playgroups at this age can help flag up the parents who need extra support to provide that, but otherwise, they’re just for you. They are often boring as hell, so don’t go if you don’t want to.

At 4 months it's more for the parents benefit. Personally after having a toddler in lockdown I think that after a year they do really benefit from being taken out and about and around a variety of people whatever any experts try to claim.

Completely pointless at that age and if you don't enjoy them. I found them fun for all of us from around 18mo, mainly because it have me a break and they were old enough to toddle off and enjoy themselves safely.

No benefit to the child over and above being cared for in a normal, caring environment.

At four months I don’t think it’ll make a lot of difference, baby just wants you and that’s not going to change for a while. I wouldn’t waste your money (unless you’re going to free ones!) until they’re about 1 probably. Lots of socialising with friends and family is more than enough. Lots of babies don’t like being held by other people, it’s totally normal x

Not important at all at that age and she may pick up
germs i would do picnics in the park looking at the trees and buggy fit. If you do want a class though baby massage is great and she’s at the right age for that!

Latest evidence shows that even going to full time nursery isnt befwofisla until 3. Jusy being with a primary care giver is how they learn socialisation and they are meant to cry woth strangers. Having to go to daily geoosks a new invention. My parents/aunts and uncles didnt do anything until babies were2.

Saying babies need nursery is to take away the guilt of having f to wor in the uk at 1. They are best with primary care giver until 3

I didn’t go to any, nor did I have many lively social meet ups, and I have a confident, extroverted, bright and social 18 month old. It’s for you, if you want it, but by no means necessary.

I didn’t go to any with either of my children and their natural personalities came through completely differently despite neither of them going to these groups (I would’ve hated them!). My boy from a few months old would go to everybody, would put his arms out to everyone and would’ve happily sat, played and laughed with strangers if we’d let him! I remember taking him into work for a KIT day at four months and he was putting his arms out to everyone to be held. First day at nursery he was fine, no tears, happily went along and now at two and a half he’s the child that will be pushed around at the supermarket saying “hello, how are you” to everyone he passes. He will also try and frequently “cheers” strangers who walk past us when we’re in restaurants 😂

My daughter on the other hand, has never wanted to leave my side. She will still initially cry with family who we see weekly, and if she sees a new face she will cling onto me for dear life and scowl at basically everyone she passes!

No baby groups for either, same upbringing, totally different children!

Thank you everyone for your replies! I won’t be putting any pressure on myself anymore as I would much rather spend my time in other ways. I hope she still gets a strong immune system as that was another reason of going to widen her exposure of the world so she doesn’t struggle away in nursery and primary school but I guess that’ll naturally build over time too

Totally normal at 4 months and quite a bit older to be honest! Don’t put pressure on yourself to go but you might enjoy chatting to the mums.

At 4 months, not at all.
I say that as someone who went to loads, but that was for my benefit. I needed to see other adults!

I wouldn’t bother until at least 6 months and then just pick what suits you.

Playgroups were for me. I made some very good friends during mat leave. It was nice to talk to another adult going through the same things as me.

If you don't like them, skip them.

Your son sounds adorable! I’d happily do a cheers with him if I saw him! Such a lively anecdote made me smile

I really liked baby groups but purely for me to talk to adults! I don't think there's any benefit to baby at that age. I enjoyed things like yoga you could take your baby to, baby massage, swimming, baby cinema. If your baby will be going to childcare I do think there's some benefit to doing playgroups etc as they get towards the time of going to childcare, so they get used to other babies/toddlers being around, the noise, that they have to take turns with toys!