First time mum to be

[cath balan]

Hello - I am new to the area and expecting my first child in February 2010. My partner and I are completely in the dark as to what's on offer for new parents to be but would very much like to get to involved in as many things as possible - if only as a way to get to know couples going through the same "experience"!! My partner works and so evenings most suitable.

[Moos]

Hi Cath

Welcome to the EDF! and many congratulations on your family-to-be. There's lots on for new parents in and around the area - I'm a full-time working mother (doing paid work, that is!) so don't have much time to join in, but I'm sure you will quickly be scooped up by the family community on the board, and shown around. I'm not aware of much on for couples that is family-specific as many new families struggle to be sociable in the evenings, but I may be wrong. Obviously, you can join an NCT parenting class either in ED or the surrounding areas, or the NHS-run equivalent.

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Cath,

Welcome and congratulations!

I'm past the pregnancy bit as I have an 11 month old and a 5 year old but rest assured you are in the right place to meet lots of other people going through the same thing as you, I'm sure you'll have lots of 'bump' friends very soon.

In the meantime, you may find the following thread very entertaining, if you haven't come across it yet, and it may give you a bit of insight into the 'gang' on here!

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,292489,page=1

Best wishes, Molly

[linzkg]

definitely join a NCT class - we recently did the evening classes and thoroughly enjoyed it and found it worth every penny - we met 5 other couples and made friends for life.

I also joined yoga classes at Dulwich Therapy Rooms with Francine and found those great both for exercise and meeting other moms.

A few of us got together after advertising on the forum, the group got bigger and bigger, and we still meet up now - our babies range between a month old and 5 months or so!!

[Belle]

Bumps and Babes in Red Post Hill is for pregnant people as well as mums - NCT drop in but you don't have to be a member, and they're starting one up in Goose Green I believe, I think on Mondays - will check. Realise that's more for maternity leave because of work etc but worth bearing in mind.

[Ko]

congratulations on the pregnancy and welcome to ed! my suggestions would be nct classes which i hear are good for meeting other couples (but they get booked up quickly so get onto it asap of you want to go), Bumps & Babes which belle mentions (although not been myself), and pre-natal exercise classes. there are a couple of recent discussions about pre-natal classes.

once baby is born there are masses of mum and baby activites which i'm sure in the next couple of months you will see advertised all over the place. the Plough pub has a baby club (on friday afternoons i think - opposite dulwich library), dulwich library has sessions for little ones, power-pramming in dulwich park, lots of different sorts of classes and activities all over the place. there is a cafe at christ church on barry road (again opposite dulwich library) which i believe has a breastfeeding clinic.

[cath balan]

Thanks everyone! Good to see such a lot of responses. As per your advice, I have signed us up for a 2 day ED NCT course in January (I think 12 and 19th - if anyone else is on this course would be nice to meet up in advance?)

ED certainly seems like the place for (expectant) mums...!!!

[Moos]

ED is definitely the place for mums of all levels of experience! but do be prepared for posts on the forum which may label you as a 'yummy mummy' 'living off your husband's credit card', 'shoving people out of the way with your Bugaboo', 'yacking too loudly in coffee shops', 'breastfeeding in public - urgh!', 'changing your baby's nappy in public' and other such understanding and intelligent comments.

[sillywoman]

Hi Cath,

I'm on the January course, but I'm the teacher!

Looking forward to meeting you in 2010 ;-)

[abip]

Belle Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Bumps and Babes in Red Post Hill is for pregnant

> people as well as mums - NCT drop in but you don't

> have to be a member, and they're starting one up

> in Goose Green I believe, I think on Mondays -

> will check.

Belle is right - NEW bumps n Babes starting on 12th October. It is in Goose Green Community Centre, Large Hall every Monday (except Bank Hols) 10am-12noon. It's a drop-in coffee morning for mums to be, new parents & carers of babies & young toddlers. Come along and make new friends, get moral support and swap advice!

Email: [email protected]

[iaineasy]

Hi cath we are having our first in january 2010 Anna and I are in the same boat as you!! I'm sure Anna would love to meet for some coffee or something as we dont really know anyone around here either, but I have to say everyone has been very friendly to us since moving arriving in Dulwich!!

Pm me if you fancy a coffe or the other half would like a half or something!!

good luck!!

Iain and Anna

[woofmarkthedog]

Moos Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> ED is definitely the place for mums of all levels

> of experience! but do be prepared for posts on

> the forum which may label you as a 'yummy mummy'

> 'living off your husband's credit card', 'shoving

> people out of the way with your Bugaboo', 'yacking

> too loudly in coffee shops', 'breastfeeding in

> public - urgh!', 'changing your baby's nappy in

> public' and other such understanding and

> intelligent comments.

_____________________________________________________________

Welcome Cath.

It's a good place to be with children , I agree with what Moos said but just ignore the sanitised & soulless brigade, I'm sure they were babies once themselves, though I wonder. A subtle nudge with a buggy is "fun" at times.

Good luck to you anyway.

W**F