Well there is NO rush to do anything, enjoy those baby snuggles in the first few days and weeks, but when you are ready (and I know I was ready to get out there asap) you’re in for a whole world of fabulous options… your world is about to open up in SUCH a lovely way.
There are LOADS of brilliant classes, groups, activities and things you can do with your baby in York while you’re on maternity or paternity leave.
There are lots of people in the same boat as you too – and they all want to meet other parents to new babies… getting to a class or group is a brilliant way to make new friends. You can also use this time to capture memories with photos and on ceramics (The ones we captured when my girls were 6 weeks old are still among my most prized possesions!)
Some classes are more ‘baby’ focussed and some more ‘parent’ focussed.. but all the ones on this blog are really great for new parents and newborns. Have a browse, pick your faves and go along to give some a try!
Is this what you wish for your baby?
If so, you may be interested in what I offer for parents and their babies in York. Its pretty unique. I use a beautiful room at York Steiner School, where I can create a calm, uncluttered space for parents to relax and their babies to move and play. I only have 7 mums or dads and their babies maximum in my groups. That means that a sense of peace can prevail, the babies feel safe, the parents can get to know each other, and we can enter a journey of getting to know our babies and enjoying their natural movement prorgression into standing and walking. I call on my trainings and 25 years experience in Steiner early childhood education and the Pikler approach from Hungary. I guide parents with two main principles – slowing down and being fully present during times of bodily care and allowing the baby to self initiate their movement and play without our interference. Parents stay with me until their children are walking confidently. I have 14 years experience of this work and several hundred happy parents. The first taster session is free. Come and see!
I set up Avocado Events seven years ago when I was on maternity leave with my first daughter. I met so many lovely baby class leaders & post-natal care providers during my own mat leave journey. I wanted to bring them all together in one room to showcase what they did for other new parents – and so the idea of Avocado Events was born in 2016. My first event was Bump & Beyond for expectant & new parents in York. Seven years on and I am still connecting new parents with local classes, businesses & family support groups in fabulous venues such as THOR’s Tipi & Everyman Cinema. I felt a bit lost on my mat leave and Avocado Events helped me to connect with other Mums – both guests of my events & businesses too. I have made some wonderful friends along the way.
I hope to see you soon at one of my baby events soon.
I’m a Mum of 2 and a Personal Trainer, specialising in Women’s health & fitness. How you return to exercise after having a baby is important. I am here to guide you through that process, at your own pace. No experience necessary. I have various postnatal offerings, such as courses, classes & online coaching.
You can find out more by visiting my website, or drop me a message & let’s chat!
Our stimulating baby sessions are suitable from birth up to 1. Sessions include a range of natural movement to music and sensory activities to support your baby’s development, including eye tracking, balance, spatial awareness, bonding, hand/eye co-ordination and fine motor skills plus lots more.
The classes are relaxed, welcoming and inclusive. Numbers are deliberately kept small to ensure everyone attending feels comfortable and at ease. The structured class creates an environment where you and your baby feels secure.
Throughout my time running these classes I have seen a number of strong friendships made that continue long after their My Baby Can Dance journey has ended. A large number of families continue their journey beyond the baby classes by joining the toddler/pre school sessions
I am super proud of our friendly inclusive groups and if ever a parent needs help there is always someone on hand to listen and to reassure.
Anyone wishing to join our classes before the end of term will get 50% discount and priority booking for the Autumn term.
For details of our timetable please message Katherine on 07714210814 or look at our FACEBOOK PAGE
Baby swimming is one of the most amazing experiences you can share with your baby!
Babies have a real affinity with water. They spend nine months in the womb, and more and more expectant mothers are now choosing a water birth as the most natural introduction to this world. Water is recognised as a warm, supportive environment during labour and provides a natural transition for your baby from the womb to the “outside world”.
Babies can be taken into the water from birth (Puddle Ducks welcomes babies in their classes from as young as a few weeks); they do not need to have completed their injections and very young babies love the freedom, massage and gentle exercise that the water offers.
The benefits to both parent and baby of swimming together are immense and include:
· Plenty of eye and skin contact– it’s a wonderful way to bond with your baby
· Helping you and your baby feel relaxed and confident in the water
· Makes swimming a fun and socially stimulating activity (for both you and your baby!)
· Even parents who can’t swim can enjoy relaxing in the water with their baby
But most importantly of all, swimming as a baby should instil a love of water for the rest of your child’s life.
For more information and a full listing of classes (including weekend classes at a lovely warm hydrotherapy pool) please visit our website
E: york@puddleducks.com
T: 07825 269146 (Monday to Friday 9am – 1pm)
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
Would you like to spend some quality one to one bonding time with your new bundle Joy? Come along and join us in the pool where you can escape from the buzz and noise of everyday life and all those new jobs you’ve suddenly got to juggle and focus solely on you and baby. The water is wonderful place to bond and our lessons are gentle with a focus on making that connection with baby and enjoying the water whilst promoting water confidence, water safety for baby from an early age
Email: swimwithus@pureswim.uk
Tel: 07807127373
FACEBOOK
What makes The Little Gym different to other baby classes?
A child’s development is faster in their first year of life than any other period. Going from a tiny newborn to moving, grasping, smiling, and laughing. The external development in their fine and gross motor skills is clear to see, what is really interesting is what is going on inside – their brain development.
At The Little Gym we use a programme developed through 50 years of research into Child Development. Our expert teachers will take you through skills and activities designed to build strength, coordination, motor skills and cognitive development through a multi-sensory approach. Classes provide unique opportunities to develop the entire body, did you know gymnastics is the ONLY activity that works the whole body WHILE weight-bearing? This is essential to bone density. Stimulating their vestibular sense through rolling, spinning and going upside down will provide the inner ear development to help them balance.
For all these benefits and more enrol into our programme today!
Bugs (4 – 10 month) Tuesday, 10.15 – 11.00 am, Wednesday, 11.00 – 11.45 am or Friday 2.45 – 3.30 pm or our Birds (10 – 18 month) class (for babies confidently crawling)
Water confidence builds life confidence.
Our leading swim programme has been developed to build water confidence and skills throughout your little one’s first five years. We work closely with Swim England, the national governing body for swimming, and we’ve woven their learn to swim framework through our programme. You’ll love nothing more than seeing their progression as your little one moves from fun floating, kicking and splashing to swimming independently.
And not only will your little one develop key aquatic skills, but we’ll also give them the knowledge to keep themselves safe. By the end of their journey, your child will be able to independently swim to the side and climb out to safety, wherever they are.
You can be safe in the knowledge that you’re learning from the best. Our teachers are the only ones who can hold Swim England’s Level 3 qualification, the highest that can be achieved. And they’re the most passionate around, there to guide you at every stroke of your little one’s journey. Because the more confident they are in the water, the more confident they’ll be out of it too.
So, what are you waiting for? When they’re ready, we’re ready.
E: littlefish@waterbabies.co.uk
T: 01423 457000
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
A baby-wearing dance class for all parents/carers (BUMPS WELCOME TOO!)
8+ week vaginal birth/12+ week C-section -until you are comfortable carrying them (suggestion around 20kilos.)
It’s a 45-minute dance class, where you will get to dance to some ’90s/ early 00’s Pop classics, some Dancehall, Reggaeton, Salsa, Bachata, Cha-cha-cha. You name it, we will probably dance to it one day! With 15 mins at the beginning or end to meet other like-minded carers and their little ones.
Mama’s Got Moves is a chance to bond with your baby, connect them to the world of music and dance from a young age, meet other parents, do something for you, have fun, and dance! You do not need any dance experience to join this class. This is for anyone and everyone, we will go slow and learn easy routines. Baby carriers are available to borrow. Older children are welcome to come and dance alongside you or play in the background. Bumps are welcome-have your baby dancing from when they were in the womb!
See the website for details of times, locations and pricing.
BOOK ONLINE www.mamasgotmoves.com
INSTAGRAM
Here are Mumbler we wanted to help you find your tribe – the truth is that Maternity can feel lonely until you meet your people… then it can be one of the most supportive and fulfilling times of your life.
The Mumbler baby brunch is held monthly at Impossible in the centre of town. Open to anyone with pre-walking babies (usually 0-12 months ish) and the aim is to make friends who are going through the same thing at the same time as you, as well as enjoying a DELICIOUS brunch.
You can come just with your baby – most people there don’t know anyone else.
All the details are here and there is also a booking link to get onto the next one.
We’ll look forward to welcoming you to the Mumberhood!
Here at Photography by Edina, we specialize in maternity and baby portraiture, and by choosing us, you choose quality, luxury experience and imagery that you will treasure for a lifetime!
Once your new baby arrived, we are here to capture their first days for you! The best time for newborn photos is within the first couple of weeks. This is because babies spend most of their time sleeping and are still very flexible and bendy from being in the womb and the birth process. It is these qualities that help to create the squishy newborn baby pictures that everyone adores.
All our newborn baby sessions include full use of props and outfits, so all you will have to worry about is to which one to choose for your little one’s photos.
Find out more about our newborn sessions HERE
Families in and around York have also been choosing Photography by Edina for Family, Children and Mummy & Me photoshoots – all offered with a low deposit formula: you can secure your session for as little as £65, which is then entirely deducted from any purchase!
Find out more about our family sessions HERE
Popolo Ceramico York is a ceramics business that specialises in capturing baby and children’s prints on pottery and jewellery.
We hold pop up events in and around York at various venues, home appointment and studio appointments. We have specialist techniques to capture even the smallest prints. We have something for everybody, whether that is keepsakes, presents for the families or even a personalised way to ask people to be your child’s godparents etc. Home appointments are often most convenient for families with new babies as you have all you might need, there is no rush and we can take as much time as baby needs, be it for milk, comfort or a nappy change. We aim to have orders will be delivered back within two weeks. We also have larger items if you wanted to include more members of the family. Our main aim is to create perfectly personal gifts in the most convenient way possible. We are so excited for you all starting this new chapter of your lives and we can’t wait to meet some of you soon.
10% discount when you quote PopoloMumbler
E: york@popoloceramico.co.uk
T: 07904757404
FACEBOOK
