Hi everyone,
I went along to Sue Lewis' postnatal classes which are pilates based classes-the level gets harder as the weeks go on! I had been working with Sue for a while which is how I knew about them-I had a great NCT group but also met some other mums through Sue's group-the nannies to care for the babies are a godsend-they were lovely and the first non-family I entrusted with my precious baby.
I ran postnatal classes myself for a while in Earlsfield a few years back. It depends what you want to get out of them-social contacts for support and company, advice and info on bringing up baby or professional care.
The postnatal service I offer which by far seems to be the most successful in terms of being 'worth it' are individual consultations by phone or in person-sometimes you just don't want to hear the woes of the rest of the group and need some targeted advice or info to support you on your journey.So if you already have good social support then targeted professional support is worth considering-be it physical/exercise based, or in terms of baby care advice.

Vicki Scott
Midwife
www.newbabycompany.com
And SW mum!

I did the post natal class & I have to say that it was a bit of a waste of time, the timing wasn't great at 10am as it clashed with feeds etc & it wasn't what I was expecting.

I would see how your ante natal class goes & what your group is like, it's a bit of a lottery & you may find that you don't really have anything in common with many of them other than having a baby within a few weeks of each other.

NCT antenatal classes focus on the birth & don't prepare you for after the birth. There are some great books again so do read up!

I saw my NCT group 1x a week or so for the 1st 7 months or so but tailed off after I went back to work & now I rarely see any of them.

I met other mummies through Tin Pan Annie, Sing & Sign, baby swimming etc & still see them now so NCT isn't the only way to make new friends.

Good luck :)

I’m a Postnatal Leader with Clapham NCT so here’s some more information about our postnatal Early Days courses for mothers of babies under 6 months.

The course content is shaped by the women attending, but typically we cover these sorts of subjects:
Sleeping (both you and your baby)
Crying
Different approaches to parenting
Pros and cons of routines
Baby development
Changes in relationships
Looking after yourself
Body image
Back to work or staying at home
Choosing childcare
Introducing solids

The course is all about exploring what works best for you and your family as you begin your new life with your baby. As one author of a book about motherhood memorably put it, there is no single blueprint to being a good mother. However it can take time to find your feet and feel confident in your choices.

Both mothers and babies are individuals, and babies have their own personalities and preferences right from the start. The example I often give when I’m introducing a course is dummies – some babies love them, while others will spit them across the room in disgust. And parents can have very different views on dummies (which can quickly change once your baby arrives). Routines are another good example – they can range from a life saver to a cause of total misery depending on your own particular circumstances. It can be really difficult for a new parent to be told that they ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ have a routine for their baby.

I am always moved by the support mothers give each other on the course as they share the highs and lows of new motherhood. People can find it a relief to discover that the cauldron of emotions and worries they are experiencing is normal and it can be valuable to discuss the more sensitive aspects of new motherhood (eg relationships) in a non-judgemental environment. The discussions are backed up with up-to-date evidence-based information, including handouts on postnatal topics of interest. We also signpost people to resources and information (eg free legal helplines on your employment rights).

Here’s some of the feedback I have had from my most recent courses:
[i]“The range of topics is very good. I have found it all very interesting and useful.”
"It was reassuring to hear that others have gone through similar experiences and have similar worries"
“It was really helpful and a lovely atmosphere. I’m so glad I booked this course!”[/i]

[b]Noles [/b]– I’m really sorry to hear that you felt the course wasn’t worth it and I hope you fed your concerns back to your course leader and in the online evaluation form you should have received from the NCT after attending your course.

Please PM me [b]NewAussieMum[/b] if you’d like any further information. Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy and your new arrival.

Alex
Clapham NCT Postnatal Leader

It depends what you want & what the NCT are offering
? Post natal exercise ? post natal information and discussion ? nannies to look after the babies ? experienced ,qualified ,professional Women's Health physio to take the coures.
This is what I run in Wimbledon 3 different levels of PN exercise classes with some early tips for life with a new born ,for mums while 4 nannies look after the babies.
If you want more information do call me on 020 8946 8561

The friends I made through my antenatal classes have been absolute lifesavers. Our little ones are turning two and we still see each other almost every week, and some of us almost every day! I could not have met a nicer or more supportive group of mummies. You might find you have all the support you need through your ante natal class and there are also a lot of other support services that are available that I took advantage of (breastfeeding, etc). I agree with Noles to wait to see how you get on and to use that money for the plethora of mummy/baby classes available in the area. There are so many great ones!

I did one last year and regretted spending the money on it. My advice would be to hold off until you have your baby and then take a view. I made good friends through my ante natal class and they proved to be my support network post birth. None of us from the post natal class really met up and all the stuff we discussed I was already dealing with through other friends with babies. I would save the money and spend it on some good baby activity classes and meet mums that way.

I just signed up to my antenatal NCT in Wandsworth common, and now they're selling the postnatal course - what do people think, worth it?