Moms clubs, play groups & preemies

aquariogirl · July 2012

I'm a FTM of a 31 week Preemie, he is just 2 months adjusted and is at home.

I'm also new to the area where i live, my friends are in another state and family is abroad. Would love to meet moms in my area and I heard that there are "mom groups" or "play groups" , not right now but when LO gets a bit stronger.

Are there preemie moms clubs, do you go to regular moms clubs? And regular play groups? If so, when do you start doing that?

We had only left the house so far for doctors appointments. I may go out on my on just for short walks around the block but eventually I'd like to interact with other moms and don't know when LO should start interacting with other babies. I know it is too soon now, and I'm more concerned about keeping him healthy than socialization.

Id love to hear what other preemie moms do!

Irishsapphire · July 2012

I hear a lot of mothers talk about a PEPS group. https://www.peps.org/

As well, I am in Mom/Infant/Toddler groups on https://www.meetup.com. Seattle has a preemie group, but it is not very active. I have been more active in a Newbie Knitters group and a Moms group in my area.

I would go to your local board and ask for recommendations.

As well, there is a good facebook group on "It's a Preemie Thing".

CTbride79 · July 2012

I joined a Moms club in my town a couple of months ago, although I haven't done much with it lately only because I think I am the only mom with just an infant...some people have babies but have older children as well, and most of the activities revolve around play groups with big kids and I feel out of place.

I also joined an informal local group that has more moms with just babies, in particular ones around DS's age. I have only been to one meet up so far though.

Out of both groups, DS is the only preemie infant right now...he's already had his first 2 sets of shots now though and we treat him like a 'regular' baby and don't have restrictions on where we bring him.

Good luck on finding a group in your area!

rednelson · July 2012

I met other moms by going to the local breast feeding support group starting just a bit after his due date. I also went to a month long mommy and me class when DS was just shy of 5 months adjusted (although I was horrified when I was chatting and not paying attention and another LO decided to slobber/drool/kiss all over DS's face-oh well). There's also another mom that I met during the NICU days that we have playdates (mommy drink dates) with.

thishappyhouse · July 2012

At 7.5 months (4 adjusted) I started taking my daughter to a local baby and me yoga class and have had other "playdates" with people we met through those classes since then. It was a great way to meet other moms/babies and I liked that it wasnt very crowded and everything was done on our own mat & with our own toys so I didnt have to worry so much about germs.

thishappyhouse · July 2012

CTbride79:
I joined a Moms club in my town a couple of months ago, although I haven't done much with it lately only because I think I am the only mom with just an infant...some people have babies but have older children as well, and most of the activities revolve around play groups with big kids and I feel out of place.

I also joined an informal local group that has more moms with just babies, in particular ones around DS's age. I have only been to one meet up so far though.

Out of both groups, DS is the only preemie infant right now...he's already had his first 2 sets of shots now though and we treat him like a 'regular' baby and don't have restrictions on where we bring him.

Good luck on finding a group in your area!

Where in CT are you? we are in Fairfield

haziedaze · July 2012

I started attending a breastfeeding support group when he was about 37-38 weeks corrected. Our leader made a big deal that no one should come if sick because of all the newborns. The group only went up to 4 months and if babies were in daycare it was kinda discouraged for them to come. It was wonderful and I made a great group of friends from it. I would go out with them after group, but we always sat outside rather than being inside crowded spaces. In the end, it's a judgement call, but for me the social interaction and friendships I've made were well worth it!

CTbride79 · July 2012

thishappyhouse:
CTbride79:

I joined a Moms club in my town a couple of months ago, although I haven't done much with it lately only because I think I am the only mom with just an infant...some people have babies but have older children as well, and most of the activities revolve around play groups with big kids and I feel out of place.

I also joined an informal local group that has more moms with just babies, in particular ones around DS's age. I have only been to one meet up so far though.

Out of both groups, DS is the only preemie infant right now...he's already had his first 2 sets of shots now though and we treat him like a 'regular' baby and don't have restrictions on where we bring him.

Good luck on finding a group in your area!

Where in CT are you? we are in Fairfield

I'm in East Lyme, which I think is about an hour from you?

snoangel79 · July 2012

Just started bringing my kids places within the last month. They have gone to a family bbq, met a few kids, and I've had a few "playdates". They've had their two shots for 2 and 4 mo... Dr says it's fine just don't bring them to more enclosed areas or around a ton of kids, or anyone sick.