How best to meet new mum friends for new mums
The essential guide to finding your Mum tribe!
Even before your baby has arrived,when you are pregnant, its a good idea to put in place a few actions to help navigate the exciting (but often nerve-wracking) prospect of making new mummy friends.
When the baby arrives, the thought of being sociable - or even getting out of the house might feel like a step too far especially when you’re trying to adjust to life with a baby and with very little sleep.
But believe us, it is worth the challenge|! Lets face it if you can have a baby , you got this!
It can be hard not to look around at baby groups and feel convinced everybody has their friendship groups sorted - but the truth is this isn’t actually the case.
It’s thought that six in ten new mums are seeking out new friends. So a good chance the mum you’ve scouted sat on her own in the park or at the playgroup might actually want to find you too!
Amy and Julie met when they were at the antenatal class and keep in touch a few from that class to this day. It's a great way to check with others when you are feeling anxious about milestones and weight, feeding and sleep and realize it's just normal as others are experiencing that too . its lovely to socialise with the babies, and for them to have social interaction from an early stage too - Takes a while to get going sometimes , but that's ok too and it's worth it to find your tribe!
Antenatal classes
Not only are antenatal classes great for finding out everything you need to know about pregnancy and birth, they’re also an fab way to meet parents-to-be and a support network for when baby arrives.
we would really encourage you to contact your local GP surgery and find out which one you can join - but most antenatal classes start around 8 to 10 weeks before your baby is due, when you're around 30 to 32 weeks pregnant
Also check out NCT too ( I did both and felt it useful but not essential as its a cost) .
Really important - why don't you be the mum that suggests circulating contact details with other mums in your antenatal / NCT group , just needs a pen and paper and a date for coffee!
2. Postnatal
If you didn’t go to an antenatal class, don’t worry - there’s a good chance there will be a postnatal meet-up in your area. Postnatal groups are a great place to catch up with other new mums with babies at the same stage as yours - as well as learn more about sleep routines, baby weaning and everything else baby-related. Ask your Health Visitor for information about what’s on locally.
Library's - great place to bring your little one , many offering storytime, sing alongs or other activities that attract other mums
3. Look up first time mum baby classes near you
Playgroups often cater for a range of ages (0 - 5 years) and offer a great low-cost space to meet new mums. You may find a group in your local church or village hall.
Or check out more structured classes:
Baby massage - a gentle, rhythmic stroking of a baby's body with the hands.It can help babies feel calm and secure, and can also help with their physical and emotional development.
Baby Sensory classes - activity has been carefully designed to stimulate your baby's senses and move development and learning forwards.
Baby swimming Classes eg Turtle Tots
Music classes - e.g Jo Jingles - music and movement for babies and toddlers
There are also specific support groups around a topic
It may be a breastfeeding group or perhaps a local group of mums who support babywearing (slings/carriers). Support groups are great because they’re set up for support !. Sharing tips, tricks and highs and lows is really helpful- and give you confidence as a new mum too!
On-line support
Check out Peanut App - great resource Whether you're navigating fertility, pregnancy, motherhood its a a safe space to ask questions, find support and connect with other women. They even have a looking for other mums resource
Join an online group of other new mums so you can share your journeys together, or look at Apps like Mumsmeetup.com
But make sure you take your little one out, make conversations with mums with kids around the same age - fresh air and chat good for all of you!
Final word from mums who get it ..
Don't worry at all , If you feel like you’re not making friends as quickly as you’d like or the process is just a bit overwhelming, Please don’t give up!. Getting out to groups, even when you feel like staying in, can be so worthwhile. Promise it will start to feel easier and you will find your mum mates. Remember - they need you too!
Good luck
Amy & Julie XX