“It is not what you do to your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.”- Ann Landers
Have you ever been to Mom and Baby classes or have you considered joining? Are you a first time Mom, a Mom of 2 or more? Are you open to meet other moms in the community? Do you think it is beneficial or is it a complete waste of time?
A NEW BEGINNING
Back in August, I delivered a healthy baby boy. It was a nice summer day when our little guy finally arrived. Although my birth plan didn’t turn out as expected, I felt so blessed that I’m a new mom of an amazing little human. Having him in my arms, the smell and the cries…it melts my heart.
Now that reality of motherhood has set in, I got a few questions for myself. Am I still able to go out as I used to? Will I just be stuck in the house for the whole Maternity Leave? Will I be talking with a newborn for 24/7? Am I able to manage the new phase by myself? Will my husband be able to relate to what I’m experiencing? Who should I talk to?
These are some of the questions that initially popped out of my head. I felt the difference. It’s a new beginning! With this new chapter of my life, I knew I have to be strong and positive.
SEARCHING FOR POSTPARTUM SUPPORT
So I started researching for Postpartum Support groups. Thanks to Social Media that you are now able to connect to similar groups of people. I joined Facebook groups such as Breastfeeding Support Group, Postpartum Support Group, and First Time Mom Groups. I was able to connect online and was able to ask questions and gather relevant resources for myself. No judgment at all…it’s quite strange but we actually share information as if we’ve personally known each other.
Then I felt like I’m missing a piece. I have to go out and meet new people. During Pregnancy, I joined Prenatal Birth and Babies classes and Prenatal Yoga so I thought of connecting back to those women who are now Moms like me. And so I did.
“If you want to improve your mental health and your ability to combat stress, surround yourself with at least a few good friends and confidants.” (Read here.)
MOM AND BABY ACTIVITIES
Around 6-8 weeks, I then felt the need of going out. I started joining Mom and Baby classes. It includes a Baby and Me class in Gymboree, a Mom and Baby Ballet in Balletiques, a Mothergoose class in the local community and tried a preview Music class in Kindermusik.
I love the idea that I’m bonding with my little guy while I’m having the best time of my life. I cherish every moment I have with him and these classes made it happen.
Now, what benefits do I get from these? I challenged myself to come up with the Top 5 Benefits and here is my list:
THE TOP 5 BENEFITS of Mom and Baby Classes
1. Promotes Maternal Bonding
Bonding with your child is an important aspect of Motherhood. It develops trust between yourself and your child while providing wonderful memories and enjoyment together.
With the Mom & Baby ballet class, for example, it promotes attachment of babies with their mothers. Movement is said to imitate the swaying and motion babies felt in the womb, taking them back to a safe place. My baby gets to experience the different movements, the rocking motion, and the time close to me. It truly helped me bond with my little one even closer while I enjoy dancing while I carry him with me. With this kind of class, it involves physical movement, keeping me stay active during a time when getting to the gym really is not much of an option.
2. Improves Mental Health
Moms may suffer anxiety or depression after childbirth. This is a common concern that needs attention. A strong support network is one way to nurture this by meeting other people who are on the same boat as you.
The Recovery period of childbirth is said to be one of the most vulnerable parts of a woman’s life; that’s why it’s considered the fourth trimester of pregnancy. Oftentimes, this phase is neglected and having people to talk to creates that supportive environment; it helps women thrive and cope with the challenges of their own Mental Health.
3. Encourages Socialization
As noted above, Research indicates that during the postpartum period, women experience a range of psychological stressors. Social support has been shown to be effective in helping women cope with this. The class is a way for new mothers to meet other moms, which fosters and builds a support network. Being with other moms and babies also promotes a playful environment, giving you space and time to connect with each other in a non-stressful setting.
In addition, classes not only benefit moms but most importantly, the children. It exposes babies to new people which means they see new faces and hear different sounds. It also allows babies to see how others react to their behavior which is critical for social development. Having attended the Mother and Goose class, my little one actually became very sociable. This is a big accomplishment for me as I even thought he would cry when he gets close to others but I was wrong! He usually goes in the middle of the circle and he is the friendliest baby in the class!
4. Enhances Independence and Emotional Development
Interactive Play helps babies become curious about their environment, allowing them to explore and develop their sense of independence. They become so active and mobile, helping them strengthen the muscles of their body. This may help aid in developing their motor skills in crawling, standing and walking.
Aside from developing independence for babies, classes may help benefit mothers by releasing hormones that tend to affect the emotions during this challenging yet rewarding period. It’s not unusual to experience a cycle of an emotional whirlwind during pregnancy and/or after the birth of a child. Participating in Mom and Baby classes may help release endorphins, the hormone responsible for reducing stress, making you feel positive inside and out.
5. Enhances Productivity
I can truly say this is something I am proud of. Whenever I stay in the house all day, I feel unproductive. Going to classes helps develop our natural abilities. There’s that sense of well-being, determination, and positivity. You will definitely feel an increase in energy level which also helps in reducing symptoms of anxiety or depression. You become efficient from packing, preparing and planning your day to day activities. Your creative mind starts to flourish by being systematic and efficient to get things done before you go out for the day.
Those are the Top 5 Benefits on my list and there’s actually more. I can truly say this is one of the best decisions I ever made during my leave. Not only did it allow my son and I to bond on another level, but it also helped me build friendships with other moms. Children also learn best when they use all their senses; providing them with visual, auditory, physical and tactile stimulation is extremely beneficial for their overall growth. Based on my experience, Mom and Baby classes offer amazing developmental benefits for both moms and babies and I never thought of it as a waste of time.
“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but the feeling that you cherished them”- Richard Evans
Author Bio
Who am I?
Mitchelle- I’m a first time mom of Little M and a fur mama of Little Minpin B. I love dancing like no one’s watching. I work in the healthcare field so Grey’s Anatomy is my favorite TV show and as a Mom, I enjoyed watching Gilmore Girls.MamaBuzz is a Mom and Baby Lifestyle blog where Mom Life keeps buzzing. The blog aims to provide inspiration and promote positivity in order to thrive the challenges of Motherhood. I want to connect with other moms by buzzing positively with early childhood learning ideas and activities for both Mom and Babies.
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