We are so lucky to have many different baby groups, classes and support sessions in Newmarket.

I’ve highlighted a few of the fitness, messy, fun, sensory, support and Daisy groups in the Newmarket area and will do my best to keep this updated.

None of the classes below need to be booked – simply turn up! (Apart from Daisy classes which need to be booked through Helen here)

I want to share the best bits with you and distract you from the worst. I want to tell you to sleep, indulge, relax (enjoy being braless and able to jump) and be selfish while you can but this isn’t about that – it’s not really about our little one, it’s about us, me and you!

Sorry for the way I have let our friendships deteriorate. Once so keen, interested, and proactive and now so, so…. well, distracted.

All of a sudden, you are handed a gooey bundle by the midwife and your title changes. Are you; ‘YOU, Mum, Wife’ or ‘Mum, Wife, YOU’ or ‘Wife, Mum, YOU’ etc… As to be expected, the pecking order changes, your identity changes and your friends’ opinion of you changes.

To the friends that have been so giving! Within four short months we have received baby shower gifts, baby arrival gifts, Christmas gifts, Christening gifts and so many “just because” gifts. We are so thankful for your generosity and kindness. As parents we are going to have to work hard to teach our little one to be very grateful, as it is clear that she is so loved and oh so very spoilt.

To the friends that carry on regardless – I get it! Why change your routine because we decided to have children? Being the one that liked to arrange the social events and regularly get friends together, it’s a culture shock to see your #BestGirls Instagram posts, Facebook updates and Snapchats. But I promise that I do “get it!” Don’t call me and certainly don’t leave me a voicemail, don’t send a text that requires a lengthy reply, don’t send a Whatsapp voice message that might disturb a calm baby and don’t send a snapchat that I will miss and can’t replay…the list goes on.

I know I make things hard for you and myself! Trying to be the best Mum I can be means that other things slide; the laundry, my beauty regime and friendships.

Please don’t stop trying to reach out to new Mums – I may not reply but continue to contact me on as many different forms of social media as possible and as often as you can. Despite being incredibly caught up in my own world of spit up, babble, lack of sleep and dirty nappies, I try to listen and hear what you’re telling me about your life too – honest.

To the friends that always persevere. Thank you for always asking how I am, and when I don’t reply, you try and ask me again. You update me with your news without expecting a response. You fill me in with your gossip and you always show me that you care. Believe me, I love to her about your dating experiences, career news, exciting excursions and gossip and I am so grateful that you at least pretend, to care about my nipples, nappies and napping troubles.

To the friends that make themselves present and seen. So long, boozy bank holidays, lavish weekend breaks and sporadic plans. Thank you to those that choose and want to now spend times having disturbed lunches, walks in the countryside and interrupted conversations in our lounge – let’s face it we will always provide wine and/or gin and you are more than welcome to indulge in as many baby cuddles as you wish!

Dear childless friends, you might be one of these, some of these or even none of these but THANK YOU for being patient, supporting and so valuable.

A new Mum

What is it? Daisy Baby  – Tinies with Helen Plumb

“Our uniquely integrated class for mum and baby where baby massage, baby yoga, baby reflexology and calming techniques are delivered alongside educational themes which will be relevant to the babies developmental milestones. Classes progress from our rhythmic and relaxing Tinies on to the colourful and lively Wrigglers. Classes also incorporate yoga-based movement, relaxation and support for mum.”

Where is it? Tesco Community Space, Newmarket

How much is it? £36 for six weeks

When is it? Friday’s at 11am in Newmarket (Or Tuesday’s at 11am over in Isleham)

Where to park? Lots of free parking is available in the Newmarket Tesco Car Park

Pro’s: Great chance to learn a new skill (baby massage) whilst taking a calm hour to bond with your baby. The wonderful Helen is the perfect group leader too – providing helpful information, sharing her Daisy knowledge and her own personal baby experiences!

Con’s: If your baby sleeps through the class you do feel like a bit of a lemon – but that’s the same with most baby classes.

What did AB think to it? She loves the baby massage and rhymes. She will only “coo” when she feels secure and comfortable and she is particularly vocal during the Daisy Tinies classes. AB also always has a really solid nap after being massaged in the class.

What did Mummy think to it? We have now added the Daisy baby massage technique into our bed time routine in between AB’s bath and story time/night-time feed. The accompanying nursery rhymes help tired mummy’s remember the order and method of the massage.

Was any cake involved? No… although you do walk through the bakery to get to the community room and the group tend to head to the coffee shop afterwards! Helen does make all guests a cup of tea or coffee on arrival.

Score out of 10: 10/10

Are you a breastfeeding Mummy: At the end of the class, Helen encourages Mum’s to lay back and relax/meditate with their baby. I always take the chance to give AB a lying down feed whilst listening to Helen’s dulcet tones.  

Daisy Baby – Tinies with Helen Plumb

WIN!

If you Google “Pregnancy massage Newmarket” it is no surprise that The Lavender Clinic is one of the top hits to appear on the page in front of you!

I met the talented massage therapist, Melanie back in December when I was treated to a pregnancy massage during my third trimester. With tight water retention and an aching lower back, I wish that I had booked up more 60 minute pregnancy massages with Melanie from The Lavender Clinic – particularly as she charges just £35 and is mobile.

Setting up in the comfort of my own home in Newmarket, Melanie released my back tension and eased the pain in my legs from having water retention. Pregnancy massage was a wonderfully natural way to ease my pregnancy ailments.

The Lavender Clinic’s Melanie offers pregnancy massage to Newmarket mummys-to-be over sixteen weeks pregnant.  Amongst many benefits, massage during pregnancy may help to alleviate:

• Muscle tension
• Muscle spasm and cramping
• Sciatic pain
• Swelling oedema
• Back, neck and shoulder discomfort caused by hormonal and postural changes
• Stress

It can also help to:

• Improve the quality of sleep
• Reduce headaches
• Relieve heartburn
• Balance mood-swings and help depression.

WIN a 60 minute full body massage or pregnancy massage. 

Massage available in Newmarket, villages within 8 miles of Newmarket, Soham, Ely and Fordham. Terms and Conditions can be found via the Rafflecopter link.