Being
pregnant is such a special time in a woman’s life, and the excitement
surrounding the arrival of your new baby is often shared by friends, family and
work colleagues.
Once
the baby arrives and people around you go back to their normal lives, it can be
a very lonely time for a new mum. People you spoke to daily at work can drift
away, and you can easily feel isolated and alone.
Here
are a few tips to get out with your baby and maybe even make new friends too.
~
Rhyme Time at your local library.
This
was an absolutely lovely time for Isla and I. Rhyme Time is run weekly at a
range of libraries in our city, the session goes for 30 minutes and is filled
with nursery rhymes, songs and dancing too. At our local library a space is
made and it is JAM-PACKED with first time mums with their new babies, so get
there early! It’s a great opportunity to meet other mums, and enjoy some
special time with your little one too. Best of all, they’re free.
GC
library events:
~
New Parent Information Sessions
conducted by Queensland Health
My
local QLD Health Community Child Health Service Centre conducted these free
sessions weekly over a 6-week period. Recommended for parents with babies up to
6 months, they were facilitated by midwives and covered a range of topics
including feeding, sleep patterns, settling techniques, teething, food
intolerances and much more. I found these sessions to be a great source of
knowledge. The midwives were lovely, open and happy to take questions too.
~
Join a mother’s group
Easier
said than done right? Well at the end of my 6 week sessions with QLD health,
the mums exchanged details and organized a catch-up. This is how my mother’s
group was born. I NEVER thought I’d join a mother’s group, but honestly I am so
glad I did. The women I met have been by my side through some of the toughest
parenting moments without judgment, and have always provided nothing but
support and love to Isla and I. So much so that I am now Godmother to the 2nd
child of a mum I met through mothers group. Fellow 1st time mums can
very easily become some of the closest friends you’ll ever have.
~Mummy & Me Group Fitness
Once
the newborn fog lifts it is SO good for both mum and baby to get into the sun
and enjoy the outdoors. Our local city council hosts a range of low cost
fitness classes designed to get parents moving, meeting other new parents and
enjoying the outdoors. Check your local council website and see what’s on offer
in your area.
GCCC Active Healthy Parents Program:
So make sure you venture
outside the ‘new mum bubble’ and seek some like-minded people. Not only will
you and your baby enjoy it, you may be lucky and meet new life-long friends.