The perfect age to start baby classes
When it comes to entering the wonderful world of baby classes, it can feel difficult to know when to start. You are keen to meet some other new parents and make some friends. I'm sure you feel excited to get going and share some special experiences with your new arrival, but leaving the house still feels challenging and you certainly don't want to overwhelm them. So when is the best time to start baby classes?
When you're deciding when to start baby classes the first thing to consider (of course) is your baby's age. There are some baby classes available which are designed specifically for newborns and very young babies - others are better for infants a few months older, perhaps who are starting to roll or crawl.
It's also important to consider your baby's temperament: are they laid back or easily overstimulated? If you feel that a baby class might be too much for them at this stage, you could always wait a month or so. That being said, lots of parents are surprised by how much their babies love the busy atmosphere of a class. Why not come along for a drop-in session, to see how your baby enjoys the class, before committing to it?
In the early days of parenthood, leaving the house can be a challenge. You're exhausted from another sleepless night and it seems that your baby needs so much equipment in order to go anywhere. If leaving the house still feels overwhelming, it's ok to skip baby classes for a few weeks until you feel more comfortable. You could try an online course, such as ForeverLittle, designed to be easy to follow and fun to practice with every day. This is a great way to get you and baby used to some of the movements we practice in class, and help with your bond and baby’s development in those early weeks.
When you do decide that your baby is ready for baby class, you can always let your instructor know ahead of time that it's your first time attending a baby class and you feel a bit nervous - they'll do anything they can to help you to settle in and to avoid feeling rushed or panicked.
We parents are always conscious of the ticking clock of maternity leave - all too short here in Hong Kong. Without putting undue pressure on yourself or your little one, take into consideration which classes you want to enjoy with your baby before you need to return to work. Would you like to share a bonding experience, a playful sensory experience or perhaps some music and movement? This will affect your choice of when to start baby classes.
Ultimately, the decision of when to start baby classes is personal. As the person who knows your baby the best, you are perfectly placed to choose when baby is ready for classes and it's completely up to you. Unfortunately, there's no perfect age to start baby classes. Remember if you decide you're ready to start baby classes, you can always reach out to your baby class instructor. It's likely they have lots of ideas and ways to help you.
When you decide you’re ready to start baby classes, you have lots to choose from in Hong Kong!
Click here to make your first booking with Little HK.
