Families London SW Mar-Apr 2020

Babies
6. Get outdoors. With the right clothing and bundling, baby can spend
quite a bit of time outdoors. Not only is the fresh air good for you both, but
if the weather is nice and sunny, the vitamin D will do you good too! Try out
a farmer’s market for bright colourful fruits and vegetables, talk a hike
through the forest or even just sit in the park and take in your surroundings.
Your little one will love taking in all of the new sights and sounds.
Families Roving Mums recommend: There’s no shortage of parks and open
green spaces in London to take a walk or sit for a while. Head to a farmers
market and get some shopping done at the same time. Check out
www.lfm.org.uk to find one close to you.
Get outdoors-it will lift your spirits
7. Take in a movie. There’s no better time to take in some of the movies
you might have been missing. Many cinemas offer mum and baby movie
times with lower sound and softer lighting. Plus you’re among other moms,
so no need to worry if your little one starts to cry!
Families Roving Mums recommend: Many cinemas offer baby movie times,
check out their website for details. Try Odeon’s newbies, or Big Scream at
Clapham Picture House or The Ritzy in Brixton.
8. Learn baby sign language. It can be difficult to understand what all of
those cries and noises mean the first year. It can make you feel frustrated
and at a loss as to what your baby wants and needs. Why not give baby sign
language a try! It will allow your infant to communicate their needs more
clearly to you and it’s an amazing bonding experience.
Families Roving Mums recommend: There are many classes out there,
including those online. Check out Sing and Sign www.signandsign.co.uk or
Tiny Talk www.tintalk.co.uk, which both run classes in the South West area.
9. Get physical. Exercise will not only help you shed any extra baby
weight, but will make you feel better too with a kick of endorphins. Why
not involve your baby if you can? Try some mum and baby yoga, or
dancing with baby, buggy fit. It gives you time together, plus a good boost
of energy!
Families Roving Mums recommend: Why not give a baby and yoga class a
try, some buggy fit or even a dance class with baby. Not only will it boost
those endorphins, you’ll meet some other mums looking for a bit of
company too!
10. Story time at the library. All children love to be read to, no matter
what their age. And they benefit from being read to also. Check your local
library for story times so you can join other mums and your baby can fall in
love with books.
Families Roving Mums recommend: Check the website of your local
council to find the library closest to you and what they offer. You may find
they also offer special seasonal activities and even meet ups for mums and
babies.
The first year is hard, and it can be even harder doing it by yourself. Try
one, or try all of the points above and hopefully you too will start to grow
your own village. Child-raising isn’t easy and we all benefit from one.
Learn baby sign language
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March/April 2020 • Families South West 39