Baby’s Day Out

This week, I’ve got babies on the brain.  Two good friends are due any day now, and another just told me she is expecting in 2010.  Every celebrity magazine on the newsstand is showcasing Hollywood moms and moms-to-be, as I walked in downtown Portsmouth NH yesterday, soaking in the warm November sun, it seemed every other person on the street was pushing a stroller.

Babies bring a great deal of joy to a community.   When the eagerly anticipated birth takes place, we send gifts, visit the family, and check in with questions and advice.  What we don’t always do is connect with the new mother.  We’re so busy showering her with attention for her precious newborn, we forget her life is completely altered and bears little resemblance to anything before the tiny gift came into world.  Even if we are moms ourselves, we forget that life with a little one takes some getting used to.  It is daunting, exhausting, bewildering and, let’s face it, a little lonely.

New moms – this post is for you!

No matter what kind of social life you had before you became a mom, your plans will now include that all-important accessory, the infant car seat.  (”Just think of this as a giant purse,” – Miranda Hobbes, Sex and the City, when trying to convince her girlfriends she could still have lunch and chat like they used to, with her newborn son along.)  It’s a given that you’ll want out of the house eventually — why shouldn’t you seek out some locations, programs or classes that support both the baby’s development and your own health and sanity?

Depending on where you live, there are a variety of options for new moms.  Whether you’re temporarily home on maternity leave, or permanently home with baby, you don’t want your brain to turn to baby food while you’re enjoying this beautiful stage of life.  This time you have to spend with your baby is precious, and it’s over before you know it, so make the most of it by choosing activities that interest and support both of you.  Here are a few ideas:

Public Library: Most public libraries have children’s programs, and many include a “lap-sit” story time.  Lap-sit story times are a great opportunity to connect with moms in your community at no cost.  Your baby will delight in the sights and sounds of other babies surrounding her, and in addition to making new friends, you may be able to browse the shelves and relax with a book of your own while baby plays, or even naps in his car seat or your arms.

Stroller-based Exercise Groups: What new mom doesn’t want to get in shape and lose that baby weight?  There are several franchise-based exercise programs based on a stroller workout along with stretching and strength-training outside of a gym.  I’ve seen my own local group, Stroller Strides, in action at the park, and it’s awesome to see the casual and friendly nature of a group which supports moms, while they balance motherhood with self-care.

Baby Yoga: Yoga studios across the county are offering mommy-and-me yoga or baby yoga to past students of their popular pre-natal classes.  We all know how hard it is to get out without baby, especially when nursing, so a class that welcomes babies is worth checking out.  In addition to classes for moms with babies hanging out on the mat, programs specifically for infants bring baby’s developmental needs to light, and allow mom to relax and share experiences with other moms at the same phase of parenting.  For more information about baby yoga check out The Kids Resource Blog.

Infant Massage, Swimming, Music and Sign Language: Like baby yoga, there are other developmental classes offered to parents and caregivers.  Check out Kindermusik, Baby Signs, or check with your local hospital or pediatrician for information about these and other area classes.  You’ll connect with other parents while learning valuable techniques for calming and relating to your baby.

Moms’ Networking Groups: Local mothers’ groups are popping up all over the country.  Many of these groups are based online through blogs or chat sites, like Yahoo or Big Tent.  In addition to scheduling playdates, events and outings, many groups offer an online forum for connecting with other moms.  When you can’t get out of the house to meet in person, you have a network of moms available online to answer questions, give advice, or listen to you vent about a bad day.  Another bonus: many schedule Moms Night Out events, like movies, coffee house gatherings, scrapbooking or spa treatments.

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