Our Top 5 Baby Classes!

by Jodie Teare Aug 09, 20220 comments

What are the best baby classes to go to?

I loved baby classes as a way to get out of the house and add some structure to my day, I think 2-3 a week is just perfect (at one stage I was doing 4 a week and it was a little overwhelming...). However, there is a lot of choice out there and you can't do them all, so which ones should you choose?

Now, I had my second child and lockdown hit six weeks later and I had my first baby over 4 years ago...way before I decided to launch a baby clothing rental company, so, I did have to check my baby class advice with some of our Lullaloop community and my friends! Amazingly, everyone's favourites were pretty consistent, so we put the top 5 below.

1. Swimming

This was and is my favourite baby and toddler class. I started with both of my girls at 6 weeks, basically as soon as I had removed the pads and I was swimming ready...There is something about seeing their little faces when you are holding them out in front of you and really watching and looking at their little expressions.

I did Puddle Ducks and Water Babies and loved them both. They both focus on water confidence and safety. We had a big break with my youngest while we were in and out of lockdown and while they are both now very confident, my 4-year-old is like a little fish and I swear this is down to all these lovely lessons from so young!

The only downside is obviously the changing of you and baby, it can be quite chaotic and isn't quite as sociable to meet new friends!

2. Baby Sensory

This was on everybody's list...It feels a bit like a right of passage when you have a baby!

Baby Sensory focuses on helping babies learn and develop important skills. Classes are built on your baby's natural play-rest-play cycle to ensure they are not overstimulated (for me, that meant a lot of sleeping in class, which is no bad thing!).

I found this one a great way to meet new Mum friends, there is a play and chat session at the end of the class and everyone was always really chatty and friendly. Cue the baby sleeping and feeding conversations...

When I had two under two (before we went into lockdown) I started going to Caterpillar music instead, which is quite similar but suitable for all ages and you can bring both children.

3. Baby Sign

One I didn't do but again most people had this in their top two! This is teaching baby and Mum sign language to use as a way of communicating with their little ones. Most Mums recommended Tiny Talk classes, they have weekly themes such as bedtime, family or a trip to the park give you the signs you need to share your baby’s world and daily routine, using British Sign Language (BSL) sign. There is also an interactive music class featuring well-known nursery rhymes, action songs, and specially composed music and instruments.

This is also a great one socially as there is time to relax with a cuppa and make new friends whilst your baby enjoys social playtime!

4. Mum & Baby Exercise Class

This was another one of my big favourites! I am an active person and I found this was a great way to slowly get back into exercise while also having a babe in tow! They all should be run by a postpartum specialists meaning that you are in safe hands and won't be overdoing anything you aren't ready for. I loved the endorphins of moving about and everyone is so understanding and supportive if you end up spending the whole class with baby attached to your boob!

I did Buggy Fit and also some local classes!

The other amazing one that I would put into this category would be Yoga, Yoga is such a fantastic way to get back into exercise and a lovely relaxing class you can do with your little one there too.

5. Baby Massage

This isn't one that I did but lots of Mums really rated this one. I heard from lots of Mums who had colicky or reflux babies who said they felt this really helped when it came to settling their babies and making them comfortable.

Baby massage is the gentle, rhythmic stroking of your baby's body using your hands. Baby massage was introduced about 30 years ago in neonatal wards to support the development of premature babies in intensive care units. A study in 2004 found that babies in intensive care units who were massaged spent less time in hospital had slightly better scores on developmental tests and slightly fewer postnatal complications!

Today, there is a widespread belief that baby massage can increase a mum’s awareness of her baby’s needs and support their early bond, as well as improve her sense of well-being if she is suffering from postnatal depression or other mental health issues.