Things to do in Bristol with a newborn

Being pregnant is a very special time but often when your little one finally arrives, it can be daunting as you embark on a very steep learning curve. Babies are unpredictable and they don’t come with a manual – just how quickly they develop can surprise you on a daily basis.

Being out of the house with a new baby is important. It gives parents a chance to meet others and form friendships, which is especially helpful when those friends are going through the same experiences. In Bristol, we are blessed by living in a vibrant city with so much we can get out to, and there are plenty of things you can do with your newborn.

Bristol libraries 
Baby bounce and rhyme plus story time sessions
Libraries around Bristol run 30-minute sessions of nursery rhymes and songs suitable for babies every week; for older pre-school children there are also storytime sessions and older siblings are welcome to attend any baby clubs. Singing rhymes with babies can help with their language development and little ones’ understanding of the world around them, and is great for bonding too. Times and days of the week vary so check your local library for details.

NCT Bristol, Clifton Down, BS8 3NG 
Baby massage 
The benefits of baby massage are apparently endless, from aiding digestion to improving circulation and better sleep. Plus, as humans we are very tactile. Courses run over a few weeks so you can perfect your skills and also meet other new parents. The latest course from National Childbirth Trust (NCT) at their Clifton base starts on September 25 and costs £47 for five sessions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkHz84klz8-/?taken-by=nctcharity

Local leisure centres 
Swimming with baby 
It’s said to be extremely good for newborns to go swimming as the earlier you take them, the more comfortable they will be in the water and the quicker they will therefore learn to swim when they are a bit older. Leisure centres with pools are dotted all around the city and often have special sessions for very young swimmers. Children under the age of three also swim for free at Bristol Lido in Clifton.

St Werburgh’s, Southville & Keynsham 
Dance Mums 
This fitness class aims to help new mums to get their figure back whilst keeping their babies in their arms. Suitable for babies from eight weeks old and parents of all abilities, you can get involved as much as you feel like. It’s a chance to do some exercise whilst making new friends and having your baby right near you.

Various soft play centres 
Stay and play 
Weekly drop-in groups where your baby can enjoy soft play and you can have a chat with other parents whilst having a cuppa happen all over the city. A great place to find one is your local church or community centre as they usually have activities listed for new parents. Sessions often cost no more than a couple of quid and can be invaluable for meeting others, letting your baby play in a safe space and getting some me time.

Patchway, Westbury-on-Trym, Clifton, Southville & Whitchurch 
Adventure Babies
Baby sensory activities are a step up from the story time sessions at your local library as they focus on stimulating all of your newborn’s senses with interactive words, props, messy play and lights. You can start going with your new arrival right up until they are 18 months old. Course lengths and start dates vary depending on location.

Various venues 
Sing and Sign 
Babies learn to talk during the first two years of their life, but they can still learn to communicate before they say their first word. Baby sign language classes can equip children with the tools to communicate a lot quicker, and even young babies can learn all kinds of signs (around 150 of them) including gestures for words like ‘milk’, ‘more’, ‘change nappy’ and ‘tired’. Classes take place across Bristol, suitable for newborns, babies and toddlers.

https://www.facebook.com/SingandSignBristol/photos/a.531508623600599/1726596237425159/?type=3&theater

The Southville Clinic, BS3 1AS 
Nutritional therapy for baby 
Even though your baby will be just having milk for a while, there’s no harm in learning about what food is great for your little one’s health. One person who really knows her stuff is nutritional therapist Lucy Patterson who works from The Southville Clinic
on Coronation Road. She can advise you on a great diet for your whole family, and is very friendly and approachable.