When I joined Support Group For Mothers back in 2004, I had one simple goal: to make a friend with the same-age baby. I knew I was about to meet ten women with babies close in age to mine, and I thought, “If I truly like just one of them, this will be money well spent.” The support of fellow postpartum women turned out to be invaluable, but I was just thinking it would be nice to have someone to hang out with while I was on maternity leave.
I liked ALL of them, and a some of us still get together. There's nothing that warms my heart more than running into another eight-year old when I have mine in tow and reminding the kids that they were in the same “Moms Group”.
Looking for an opening to connect with other new mothers? Here are some resources, divided between support groups and activity groups:
SUPPORT GROUPS
Support Groups For Mothers | Facilitated weekly meetings put new moms on a path to a support group and a baby-friendly social life in these non-hospital affiliated groups. Learn more>
Alta Bates new parents groups | For brand-new moms recovering from childbirth. Here's the schedule for drop-in breastfeeding support at Alta Bates (first session is free). And here are details for new parent support groups at Alta Bates.
Kaiser new parents support groups | Groups are facilitated by a lactation consultant or licensed therapist. Here are days and times for Hayward and Union City. Here are the days and times for Oakland.
La Leche League meetings | Dedicated to supporting breastfeeding, you'll find locations and details on their interactive map, which includes groups for Alameda and Oakland/Berkeley.
Birthways | This Berkeley organization offers prenatal classes, but also new mom's support groups that meet for a 6-week series. Learn more >
JCC Group “Nitzanim” | A new addition to the JCC's offering, this facilitated group will go for 6 or 8 weeks. All parents, adoptive, LQBTQ, single, and their babies 0-12 months are welcome. Next Session begins week of May 9th ; $75 member, $85 non-member for 6 weeks.
For more information or to register: 510.848.0237 x122
Bay Area Babywearers | Group with monthly meet ups. 1) in Berkeley – 3rd Saturday ~ 11am-1pm for kids of all baby-wearing ages. At Cedar Rose park. 2) in Oakland – 1st Wednesday ~ 6pm-8pm at Kelly's Corner – 3901 MacArthur Boulevard. Website for this group >
Mindful Moms | Runs 5-week sessions in Oakland for moms – at any stage of motherhood – who want to practice meditation techniques. This is for moms who can attend without children in tow. Details are here>
ACTIVITY-BASED GROUPS
Then Comes Baby | This sweet spot for moms in the Grand Lake area of Oakland offers a full schedule of classes from prenatal to Potty Training. See the website >
Mom and baby yoga classes | Drop-in to any postpartum yoga class and find a supportive environment to spend time with your baby among other moms. If you're shy, you might find it hard to meet women this way, but keep showing up and the same faces will become familiar. We love Yogalayam's postnatal yoga class in Berkeley, near the Oakland border.
Baby Bootcamp | These classes coach postpartum women through a fun outdoor workout with their jogging strollers. The current schedule is 9:30 am Monday through Friday at Lake Temescal; Saturdays at 9:30 am at Joaquin Miller Park.
Epworth Playgroups | Missed the boat when your baby was an infant? For toddlers, these groups have sessions and meet in the playroom of a church in North Berkeley. There is no religious component to the playgroups. Find out how to join >
Lotus Bloom | A child and family resource center in Oakland with playgroups for kids 0-5. Learn more >
MeetUp.com allows you to look for an existing group near you or start your own. Hoping to find fellowship among mothers of color, working moms, lesbian moms, triathlete moms, or moms with babies who have special needs? Meet Up is a great tool for that. Learn more>
Library storytimes | For babies over 6 months, there are baby-friendly circle time activities at nearly every East Bay library. Check our East Bay activities calendar to see if there's one you want to try.
Berkeley Rose School | This Waldorf school offers infant play classes for babies and Parent/Toddler classes for walkers through age 3. Get details.
tum-e-time | 4-week sessions offer new parents tips on infant massage, baby songs, and tips on how to spend time together. See dates, times, and locations.
I definitely made some good mom friends from the moms group I joined! Here are other things that worked for me.
1. Hanging out at our neighborhood playground!
2. Standing outside where I live with my baby. I made one of my best mom friends because she was walking by our house pushing her baby. Our babies were the same age, and they lived nearby. She gave me her email address; I emailed her and it was a great friendship both for the moms and our kids. (We’re still friends, but they have since moved away. Sad!)
3. Craigslist! I made another one of my favorite mom friends because I posted something for sale which she bought. She came over, we figured out our girls were the same age, and we’ve been friends ever since. I refunded her money after we became friends. 😉
Jennifer, your comment reminds me that my dad was “walking me” when I was 18 months old in our apartment complex when another dad who was taking out the trash stopped him to ask how old his daughter was. Turns out the garbage dad had a daughter too and she was just 3 days older. Fast forward to 2015 … his daughter flew in from Minnesota recently and the two of us had a super fun weekend in San Francisco celebrating 49 years of friendship! You very likely created the same special bond for your baby just from standing outside!
I loved being in a MOPs group. It stands for Mother’s Of Preschoolers…basically, if you are pregnant or have a kid through kindergarten age, then this is the group for you. The meet in many different locations across the country.
They have Moppets for the kids so the moms can connect while the kids play in a preschool setting. It includes breakfast, speakers, creative activities, and opportunities to meet many new moms in your group.
Monica, where in the 510 is there a MOPS group?
On November 21, the Golden Gate Branch Library at 5606 San Pablo Ave will begin hosting “playdates” on Saturdays at 11am . It was be an opportunity for new parents to meet , read, talk, sing and play with their babies.