Common worries before booking a mum and baby class

I get it.. I was the same.

I'm a natural introvert. I love my own space and not being in the hustle bustle!

I also remember being a new Mumma and feeling so alone with my baby. I remember seeing so many other mum's getting out to groups and felt the pressure to get out and about so my baby could socialise with other babies! But the fear of leaving the house was so overwhelming!

I put off getting out to a class for 4 months because I had so many worries. Here were my worries and experiences:

The drive

Shyam HATED THE CAR WITH A PASSION! Every time we got him in, he would cry. When people said to me... My baby just falls asleep in the car, I was like "how?!" and then I was filled with jealousy and the worry of "what am I doing wrong?"

He would cry when I put him in, he would cry the journey (whether 5 mins or 1 hour- my KIT days to Chesterfield drove me insane with tears!), he would cry until I got him out and put him on the breast. It was overwhelming and exhausting. I didn't want to get out because he would just cry. There was nothing I could do to console him.

The first time I went to a class, I cried in the car and turned back around. I just couldn't bring myself to go in. I felt hot, sweaty and the thought of walking into a room and other people would judge me and my crying baby was not appealing.

Did I try again... yes.

Did he cry again... yes.

Did I leave again... no.

It wasn't easy but we made it. We got in and then...

Meeting his needs

I spent every week arriving at the class with the intent of participating. What did we actually do? Feed. The entire time! Oh he sometimes needed a change or fell asleep at the boob. I got out, drove and managed to get into the room and we were doing exactly what I could do at home. Worse of all... The class I attended didn't have a "take it home" so I felt I was not taking away anything from the session.

But if he's not awake, maybe I should socialise with the other mum's to give him a chance to make baby friends? The room was PACKED. Which led me to...

Clicks

There were already others there who either met at another class or already knew each other. Being an introvert and trying to pluck the courage to speak to someone was so hard. So I just sat there. Alone. The class leader didn't talk to me or check in. I decided not to go back.

It took many attempts at different classes and I didn't give up. But it also opened my eyes to others who could be like me. And when I started to talk to other Mum's, I started to realise I wasn't the only one.

I wasn't the only one who was worried about the journey.

I wasn't the only one who was worried about my baby feeding.

I wasn't the only one who was worried about my baby crying.

I wasn't the only one who was worried about my baby needing a change.

I wasn't the only one who was worried about being different.

I wasn't the only one feeling alone.

This is what made me think differently about the way I offer my parent and baby classes. I understand what you may be experiencing because I was once there.

This is why:

I have intimate classes.

I come over and check in with you.

I provide refreshments to nurture you.

I give you resources to keep so you never feel like you missed out!