Leaving the house

Once you’re past the exhausting newborn stage, which is widely acknowledged as the toughest part of parenthood (bar the teenage years!), many mums will tell you you’re in the golden age of babyhood. Your little one is extremely portable now, so make the most of it!

Meet other mums

Motherhood can be a bit isolating if you don’t have family living close by. Socialising with other mums is a great way to compare notes, pick up tips and be reassured. One of the easiest ways to do this is to join a mother and baby group. If you find it hard to walk up to strangers and start chatting, a more structured activity like baby massage or a mum-and-baby yoga class may suit you better. Your little one will enjoy the atmosphere, and you can enjoy the social and physical benefits.

Where to look for groups and classes
• Baby massage classes are often run by health visitors or your practice nurse, so ask at your clinic or GP surgery for details.
• Yoga sessions, as well as mother and baby groups, will be advertised on library or shop notice boards and in local newspapers.
• Check out local community or village halls to find out about weekly groups they offer.

Go it alone

You don’t have to rely on other people to get out of the house. A trip to a child-friendly supermarket or a large department store seems like an adventure if you’ve been trapped in the house for too long.

Competitive parents

Of course, there will be some mums who make you green with envy as they boast about how their baby slept through the night at two weeks old. Competitiveness can sometimes be a feature of mums’ groups – especially when it comes to developmental milestones and sleep. Try to take everything with a pinch of salt and remember that every baby is different. If you feel another mum is being boastful, steer the conversation in another direction by asking if anyone has actually managed to watch a TV programme to the end yet!

Start your own group

If you didn’t attend an antenatal group, seize the initiative and form your own network of local mums.

Baby-friendly venues

• A Baby Café – a national network of drop-in centres dedicated to breastfeeding mums and their babies. They open once a week and are set out with coffee tables, comfy sofas and play areas for older children. Find your nearest at http://www.thebabycafe.co.uk/
• Art galleries and museums are great venues for mums with babies. Entry is usually free and most of them serve great coffee.
• Parks are good places to gather – especially in summer. Take a rug and a picnic and stay put all day.
• Head for a Tesco café. Join other mums having a sit down after the weekly shop!

How to leave the house on time

• Factor in plenty of time for ‘last-minute disasters’ including nappy changes, feeds and finding a fresh top to wear because your baby has been sick down your front!
• Have your change bag packed in advance with wipes, nappies and muslin cloths, plus bottles of milk if you’re bottle-feeding, and a bottle of water for you if you’re breastfeeding.
• Store your pram or buggy by the door, ready to go. If space is tight, keep it in the boot of your car or garage for quick getaways.