Things to do with a newborn.

[Emmiedarling]

I am having my first baby in September and I am extremely excited, if a tad apprehensive!

I will be a single Mum and I live alone, so I don't want to get too isolated (due to past history of anorexia, I am more prone to PND)

I wanted to know what activities there are within the community that are suitable for a new mum and a newborn.

So far booked myself in to an NCT postnatal group.

Any other reccommendations to get me out the house? I've thought of baby massage and swimming so far but dont know how soon I can do either.

I am based in South London (putney) if anyone knows anything local!

Thank you x

Hi emmie,

Congratulations!
Have you looked up the Sure Start centres near you? They're usually attached to local schools so a good way to meet other parents who live close by. Although they do have all the childrens services attached, they run very good activities for new parents which attract lots of people who are there for fun, not help iyswim!

Not local (although not far) but Putney is pretty nappy valley so I'm sure there'll be lots of things you and baby can enjoy!

Wishing you the best.

Thank you! I shall look into surestart! x

We had a baby massage class when DS was born. Went from about 2 weeks old (ie when we could get out of the house in time for the class)

Our midwife does drop in in a Thursday. At the same time, there is a "bumps and babies" which is ladies waiting for mw drop in plus 0-6 month play session but it's really just mums chatting

Also, some baby clinics (getting baby weighed etc) have a stay and play attached to them. Although mine doesn't!

If you are planning on breastfeeding, pop into your local bf group before baby arrives and then again once baby is here so you know people in advance (poss sure start)

I'm in Manchester so none of the specific groups I know of will be any use to you!

Good luck!

Try out all your local baby & toddler groups, they're usually cheap £2 or £3 and with biscuits and a cuppa thrown in. They're a great way to meet other people. Swimming and massage are enjoyable but people are so engrossed in their own babies that they're not always the best way to meet others.

The thing with groups though is that you have to go regularly in order to become a known face and feel that you fit in. It's common to find many parents there who have been going for years and when you walk in alone you feel like a right billy no mates but persist, give each group a minimum of 3 goes before dismissing it - there will be groups you don't enjoy. A good group will make sure that new faces are especially welcomed and introduce you to others with babies of a similar age and make sure someone chats to you.

I run a group (no where near you unfortunately) and it has been a lifeline for many over the years.

I'm in merton so not miles away. I think they'll be lots going on in Putney, but some of it (like church groups) you might only find ot about by word of mouth (or by looking around all the local churches!)

Definitely good to get yourself out. I would also go to the breastfeeding support groups; ask them what other baby groups exist in your area. If you are into exercise buggyfit can be good too (many groups go to cafes to put back the calories afterwards so its usually sociable too). You can do this from 6 weeks I think.

Swimming can be started very early too, as can baby massage. I did lots of walking in the early months, just to get myself out.

I found I wasn't ready to do any 'activities' until 6 weeks ish, but before that point I made lots of plans to meet friends (old and new!) for coffee/lunch.

Have a look on Facebook to see if there are any local mums groups - the NCT postnatal group should be a good one too. And I agree about the breastfeeding cafes too. You could ask on your mumsnet local board if there are any mums in the area who'd like to meet up.

We are starting swimming and baby massage in September (DS is 4 months) but these things are for him (and me!) and not really to meet other mums!

Have you considered postnatal yoga? We take our babies into our class, and I find it a very relaxing and therapeutic way to spend an hour of my week (providing there are not too many cranky babies!). I have struggled with some anxiety since DS was born and yoga has really helped me to deal with it.

I did a great postnatal yoga & baby massage class - baby massage first to chill them out then yoga for us. In theory anyway! And tea & chat in between. I met a really good group of friends that way. It's in Wimbledon if you want details.

Nct Wimbledon & Wandsworth has lots of activities - try their Facebook group - playgroups and breastfeeding drop-in & a weekly gentle walk on Wimbledon common on Tuesdays.

See how you go, though. While they're little you might just feel like going round to friends' houses / meeting in cafes.

Some of my friends enjoyed baby sensory sessions (Southfields, I think). Also postnatal yoga or Pilates are good while they're young enough to stay where you put them!

I have taken my ds to Gymboree from about 6 weeks. I joined as I thought it was a good way for me to meet people but I have been surprised how much ds gets out of it too. I also meet up with my NCT group most weeks which is nice.

I am in the same boat as you though am in walthamstow so the other side of london. There seems to be a lot round here - baby sensory, baby singing, swimming as well as the mum and baby groups, childrens centres, toy libraries, breastfeeding groups.

I am going to aim to do 1 thing a day to get me out the house, be it an organised thing or just meeting up with friends for lunch. It's going to be such a shock to the system!!

I went to two HV run postnatal groups with DD but I believe they've been stopped in most places now. DD is 23 months and I still meet up with those other mums every week.

I went to baby massage at the local children's centre, but DD was too old really as she just rolled about and made it hard work!

My DD had some weight issues at first so I was encouraged to get her weighed each week at the HV clinic. It felt a bit annoying but I'd end up chatting to other mums while I was there and hey had a place for small babies to lie/sit and an older children's place to play in.

There were baby signing classes, baby yoga, music groups etc but they all cost money!

There were several (free) breast feeding support groups nearby.

I also found just being in random cafes or baby friendly places meant I ended up chatting to other mums too.

Good to think of this now! :-)

Make a list of the things you fancy in your area, along with the relevant contact details and when/where they are happening...then when baby is here you will have some things in mind if time to research them is more restricted!

Can I suggest that as well as mum n baby things, you look at something just for you (that allows you to take baby too)?
Maybe an exercise class or Buggyfit?
There's one in Putney: Buggyfit

It's a good way to meet mums without the focus being wholly on the baby...

If you are in London there should be loads going on that you can get to. OI am in a small city in the south west and managed to do the following:

I went to postnatal pilates from 6 weeks. This was for my benefit obviously but baby lay next to me and I made some friends.

Also went to local coffee morning and stay and play and baby massage, all for free at surestart centre to meet local mums.

We started baby swimming at 8 weeks as that's when the classes started, there's no reason why you couldn't start sooner.

Check out your local library for rhyme time sessions, I think I started that when dd was about 3 months, more to get me out of the house than for her benefit.

I also met with my nct antenatal group once a week/ fortnight started off in cafes and ended up taking turns to host at each others houses.

Your NCT postnatal class is an excellent idea.
I did one (many moons ago) and we would go to the pub for lunch after the class. Once the course finished we would meet at each others houses and as the children got older we went off and did activities together.
Your NCT class leader should also be able to point you in the direction of other activities. The NCT may well run Bumps and Babies sessions (toddler groups for tinies) and they should also be able to point you to Surestart/Children's Centres in your area.

BTW - if you can find a Buggy Walking group, the chance to meet with other parents and get a bit of fresh air and exercise is meant to be a very useful way of keeping PND at bay.

We run a Bumps & Babies drop-in group on Tuesday afternoons in Barnes that any parent or expectant parent is welcome to join. Putney branch also do B&B although they are closed for summer but are starting up again in September. There are also lots of activities to join in with run by local volunteers that are free/low cost. If your area's not running anything I bet they would love it if you offered. We do playground and cafe meets and also buggy walks for example. Ask the other parents what activities they think are worth doing. There are literally hundreds of classes and activities in SW London and some are very expensive so feedback from parents is worth considering. Many offer free taster sessions so you can try before committing to a term.

I suggest going onto the NCT website (www.nct.org.uk) and using the event finder. Search by your postcode and you'll get activities for your branch and neighbouring branches. Or join the Facebook page for your branch and/or neighbouring ones - then you'll get regular reminders about activities too.

Each branch is only as good as its volunteers so if it's a bit quiet on the activity side then offer to lend a hand. That's also a good way to meet new people and make new friends.

If you are close enough to a SureStart centre they do brilliant activities - your council should have information. Look on the local boards and What's On section of Netmums for listings. Also check sites like WhereCanWeGo.com.

But, I think it's important to say if you just want to mooch about in your jammies most of the day in the first few weeks that's perfectly fine. Your baby doesn't need classes or activities when they're newborn. S/he just needs you. You will probably find you need to have some contact with the outside world so arrange to do things with your old friends like lunch, a coffee or a walk. When you have a baby strangers suddenly strike up conversations and you'll soon find you keep bumping into the same people so don't be afraid to have a chat and if you like them swap numbers.

If you're doing new things pick stuff that you like doing and get contact details for the mums at your Early Days course. Just because you're a mum doesn't mean you have to do "mum and baby" stuff - your newborn is very portable so book groups or other adult activities need not be off limits.

Congratulations and best of luck! :)

What a fabulous response! Thank you all. I will start reasearching all the suggestions immediately :)

I am very keen on the Buggyfit idea and all the NCT things. Ooh I'm going to have such a social life! haha.

thanks again x

Just going to suggest Mum & Baby cinema. Check if any local cinemas offer this, it's usually on for one morning per week about 11am. The lights aren't dimmed as much to help with feeding etc.

As RichmondNCT says many NCT groups are bumps and babes, so worth going before you give birth if you are able. It somehow makes it feel easier once you are juggling new motherhood if you've already met some people, as well as them being extra excited to meet your new little one.