Baby group anxiety

I go to three a week but honestly I really don’t enjoy them for myself and don’t talk to many of the other parents. I just focus on thinking of it as bonding special time with me and my daughter and not think about the others there but I know it’s easier said than done x

That's a good way to think of it, thanks 🥰

I only take my baby to the free library rhyme time sessions. Took her to council ones early on / rubbish. Took her to a paid one and it was literally 2 women making a huge profit for throwing some coloured balls and blowing bubbles. I’m an occupational therapist and totally believe it’s not a necessary requirement. No judgement - my baby played for over an hour today with the Aldi catalogue 😅(no staples). Play / walks / pots / pans / it’s all good 😋

I have a toddler as well and literally go to no baby classes 🤣

@Hayley had the exact same thought whilst at a paid class and thought I was mad when I looked around the room and everyone thought it was brilliant 🫣 Thanks for advice and looking out the aldi catalogue for tomorrow 👌

@Rachel music to my ears 😍

Honest I was shocked. The class was full - people pay for the term. It was a load of tosh. It really was. I can’t say there’s not harmful chemicals on the catalogue - BUTTTTTT, she absolutely LOVEDDDDDD it.

I was doing one a week but have taken a6 week break with no groups just swimming lessons and I don't miss the groups I will start up doing 2a week in the new year, not too socialize as such I just enjoy the dedication time with little one and no distractions it's really hard at home if course we play but never for a full hour without me thinking I should be doing chores or something else going on

I went to one when my son turned 5 months old, just to try get him used to that kind of environment etc so nursery isn’t a total shock to him. I like spending that time with him but I’m not crazy about the whole baby class thing, like Hayley said I was quite shocked when I realised how much I paid and what I got for it 😂 feel like I might start going to the stay and play at the library in the new year instead.

We don’t go to any. We tried one for a couple of weeks and feel like neither of us really liked it and all it did was make me anxious!

I gry social anxiety and it can be hard going to baby groups and sometimes they can be clicky. If I go, I go for my baby rather than to meet people. If someone talks to me it's a good day for me too

We've tried a few times, once my baby fell asleep on the way in in her pram and she wakes up as soon as I stop moving so I turned around and walked home - my baby does not do well when she misses at nap and would have just had a negative experience, the second time there were alot of older toddlers and noise (it was like a rhythm time type thing, everyone was screaming and racing around with maracas) she was overwhelmed by all the noise in such a small space. I find most are in the morning when her first nap is - which makes it difficult too. Hoping to go to more when she's down to one or two naps xx

@Yasmin I have found the same that a lot of the groups are more geared towards toddlers. Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on myself and should enjoy these quieter days before the playgroup madness begins?!

I think it gets easier the more you go, but you've got to find a class that works for you. I've been to a few that just didn't work for me for various reasons but depends on you and your baby. I'm not going to lie, they can be challenging at times. When my little boy has refused a nap beforehand and just cries most of the time, you wonder why you're paying money for nothing but I think it's good to get out the house for a bit and see other people. We go to baby yoga and Tots Play which involve a bit more action, he seems to prefer these than the sensory ones.

I take my LO to baby sensory class once a week which he loves. I keep to myself and just enjoy being in the moment with my baby once I’ve let go of the initial social anxiety of being in a group. I also committed to baby yoga once a week but honestly… I just found it overwhelming trying to commit to so much when life feels LIFEY already as it is so decided to cancel. The way I see it is that my LO doesn’t benefit if his mama is stressed, anxious or overwhelmed about classes so I’m trying to get better at not overcommitting to things and just focusing on doing things at home / outside that bring both of us joy xx Don’t worry mama. Your LO just wants you. You’re their world so I don’t think they care about where they are, as long as you’re there 💜

I also agree that naps would often be around group times. I’ve been on the way to the library and as soon as we get to the door she falls asleep … tbh tho, I’m happy when she gets her naps in!

Tbh I've never been to any groups but do play dates park walks and she's around plenty of family/friends. It's just because these classes are around her nap times so I haven't taken her.