| Author |
Message |
Rikke
Joined 11-01-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, 11 January, 2007 - 06:57 pm: | |
Does anyone know of local antenatal classes? I would love to attend classes with local parents-to-be, but I am struggling to find a class. The nearest available antenatal class the NCT can offer me is a weekend course in Catford. I was hoping to make new FH friends who are also expecting a baby - my baby is due the end of May. Any suggestions would be very welcome. |
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, 11 January, 2007 - 07:56 pm: | |
We ended up with a class in New Cross Gate when we did NCT a few years ago. I am not sure they have someone doing it right here, so yours might be the best option. You still meet parents more or less around the same area. |
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 12 January, 2007 - 10:37 am: | |
I did my NCT class in Charlton!! Not exactly local but all that was available. But there was another Forest Hill couple there and the rest were from Greenwich/Blackheath which isn't that far away and we still meet up 18 months after the birth of our babies. So don't despair.
I then went to the New Mums group at my doctor's surgery on Forest Hill Road so met more people there.
If you are at the Southwark end of Forest Hill (as I am) you may find it makes more sense to look at NCT classes in East Dulwich. There's certainly more going on there in terms of antenatal and postnatal classes. |
Megan
Joined 05-03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, 12 January, 2007 - 12:19 pm: | |
Hi I'm due in May and have joined a NCT in West Dulwich not sure if there are any places left but worth a try. |
Teabloke
Joined 08-02-2006
| | Posted on Friday, 12 January, 2007 - 03:01 pm: | |
When my wife was pregnant over two years ago, we went for several weeks to antinatal classes at Lewisham hospital. It was set up by the one of the hospital midwives who worked one day a week out of (our) Sydenham Surgery. It is very much worthwhile attending a local programme if you can as we still see many of the parants from the Lewisham, Forest Hill and Sydenham areas. Having all had children of a similar age spawned a whole new fun social circle largely base around visits to nursery, singing classes, library story times and meeting up at each others homes etc. Being able to offer and recieve support through other peoples experiences, especially in the early days after childbirth can be a great comfort!
Best of luck!
William |
Elizabeth25
Joined 04-03-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, 14 January, 2007 - 12:16 pm: | |
We did our NCT class in New Cross as well. However, there were a number of people in the class who lived in Forest Hill/Brockly/Honor Oak. The location of the class is more about the availablity of the teachers, not nessasarily the location of the attendees. |
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, 14 January, 2007 - 09:07 pm: | |
Hi Rikke,
Wife & I did NCT at North Dulwich (St Faiths), which was do-able from North Dulwich station and the P4 bus. Since the birth, we have met lots of local new families (mum's mainly) though the local NCT mum's and babies group, and through spotted the same faces at the Horniman gardens.
Good thing is there are so many babies in SE23, there is lots of support. The mums and babies films at Clapham picture house is recommended too. |
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
| | Posted on Monday, 15 January, 2007 - 09:00 am: | |
Definitely can recommend Big Scream film clubs which now take place all over London. It was always the highlight of my week and I was very sad when my little girl was weaned and it wasn't really practical any more(easy to administer milk in the dark, but not pureed carrots). I used to go to Greenwich Picture House - quite easy on P4 and a bus/walk from Lewisham to Greenwich. I found Clapham a bit trickier logistically. There's also Brixton Ritzy - P4 again. They all start at slightly different times so you can find one that fits into your baby's "routine" - if it has one. |
Rikke
Joined 11-01-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, 16 January, 2007 - 02:32 pm: | |
Hi all
Thank you so much for all the really useful responses! Its good to know that even if I have my classes outside of Forest Hill that I will hopefully still get to know people from the Forest Hill/Sydenham/Honor Oak area.
I have just booked myself into the NCT classes in New Cross, as they are spread more evenly than the weekend course in Catford, and I hope that means I will get to know the other parents-to-be better.
I will be back in touch nearer the time for more useful local advice on how to keep a baby and mother entertained over the summer in Forest Hill!
Rikke |
Vbailey
Joined 16-01-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, 16 January, 2007 - 03:08 pm: | |
Hi Rikke
Sorry, have only just got a log-in or I would have posted earlier today. I live in Syd, but work in Forest Hill and my 1st baby is due 8th May. I had exactly the same feelings as you about attending a NCT class miles away, but I've taken the plunge and booked into the NCT weekend course in Catford. The NCT courses in East Dul, Beckenham etc are booked up until July! Too many of us having babies in SE London.
I'm also attending a great Antenatal Yoga class as part of the Active Childbirth org in Kathleen's house in Streatham. Kathleen also runs birthing weekend courses which give info on massage/acupressure techniques to be used in childbirth and friends of mine did the course last weekend and thought it was really useful. The Albany midwife practice also run drop in courses (free) in Peckham Pulse every Thursday evening. I'm thinking if there's a demand for more classes in FH/ Syd then I'm going to set one up once the bambino has arrived. Let's set up the SE23/26 division!
Maybe see you in the summer with pram.
all the best
Vicky |
Jane2
Joined 24-01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, 09 February, 2007 - 09:39 pm: | |
Hi, I'm a Forest Hill mum too. I did the NCT weekend classes in Catford and found that most of the people in my group were from Greenwich, so we haven't really kept in touch too much. But don't worry, there are loads and loads of other ways to meet mums locally!
Firstly, the Forest Hill NCT branch arranges coffee mornings for new parents and other events. I am one of the Forest Hill NCT reps, if you are an NCT member you will get sent details in the local newsletter, please just get in touch with us and we'll arrange for you to meet up with other local mums once you've had your baby, tea and biscuits provided!
Also already mentioned your doctor's surgery might have new mums sessions. The libraries all do baby and toddler singing sessions, the ones in Lewisham and Catford libraries are good. Lots of the local churches also do baby and toddler groups, and you don't need to be a church-goer to attend them.
There is a One O'Clock club in Crystal Palace every day of the week, and there are baby swimming classes at The Bridge Leisure Centre.
Also there are local baby massage and baby yoga classes, and baby music classes such as Monkey Music and Caterpillar Music.
Lewisham Children's Information Service produce a really useful brochure listing lots of local activities, your health visitor might be able to provide a copy or if not call 0800 085 0606 - its called 'the directory of services for young children in Lewisham 0-5 years'.
As others have mentioned, the Horniman is a great place to go, also Dulwich Park which has a child friendly cafe and a park.
There is loads going on in Forest Hill for babies, you'll wonder if you have enough time for it all! I hope this helps, if you want any more information about anything I've mentioned please post. |
Myasnova
Joined 22-02-2007
| | Posted on Friday, 23 February, 2007 - 09:59 pm: | |
Hello!
I am also expecting my first baby towards end of April/early May!
We've got a Ante-natal (and post-natal) yoga on our door-step - Parbury Road.
If any local mums to be and mums would like to meet up in mum/child-friendly place - count me in!
On the subject of NCT classes. We are attending the intensive ones in Catford (we've had 2 sessions so far and the 1 remaining is the breastfeeding workshop at someone's home). I am very pleased with the class and it was a great way to meet more local mums to be!
All the best,
Maria |
Rikke
Joined 11-01-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 28 February, 2007 - 06:10 pm: | |
Dear Jane2
What a fountain of useful knowledge you are! That all sounds very promising, and I guess I will be seeing you at some point at one of the NCT Forest Hill coffee mornings.
I feel there is a small momentum gathering for setting up a mums-to-be / new mums meeting somewhere in Forest Hill within the near future. I would certainly love to meet up with some of you who have posted messages on this thread. Rosemary, if you are reading this - I will give you a ring and you can join in.
If others are interested in this, please let me know and suggest a suitable venue for pregnant women and mums with babies + any partners who wish to join in of course.
Let's see if this can work out.
All the best
Rikke |
Myasnova
Joined 22-02-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 28 February, 2007 - 08:54 pm: | |
Am definitely up for meeting up.
There is Moonbow Jakes cafe (sometimes people smoke in there, but it's very cozy). It's next to Homeview Video rental shop on Brockley rise.
Alternatively The Honor Oak pub?
Maria |
Rikke
Joined 11-01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, 09 March, 2007 - 01:01 pm: | |
Dear Maria
Thank you for your response and suggestions.
I have never been to Moonbow Jakes Cafe, its sounds lovely, but its a bit far for me as I live the other side of FH. The Honor Oak pub would be alright, though, and is non-smoking.
I have had one more interested party who contacted me via the webmaster and she is very intersted in meeting up perhaps next weekend.
How does 3pm in the Honor Oak pub sound on Sat 17th March? This is St Patrick's Day, however, so I dont know what that means for the number of people who might go to the pub to drink Guinness. Sunday is Mother's Day, so that may not be a good day either??
What do you think? I am free both Sat and Sun afternoon next weekend and would love to meet up with you.
Rikke |
Myasnova
Joined 22-02-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, 13 March, 2007 - 08:41 pm: | |
Rikke,
Saturday 17.03 at 3pm at honor oak sounds good!
Are you still up for it?
Maria |
Rikke
Joined 11-01-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, 14 March, 2007 - 11:20 am: | |
Maria
Absolutely, see you there on Sat at 3pm!
Rikke |
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