Baby classes are a lifeline ... don’t take them away from us
Fears for parents’mental health as new covid rules enforced
Renfrewshire mums, babies and businesses are struggling because of strict coronavirus rules surrounding baby classes, an early years specialist has warned.
Ashley Stewart, who runs Renfrewshire Baby Sensory, says her business could go under because of the updated guidelines around baby classes, while new mums are missing out on lifeline support.
From late August, classes of all sizes were allowed to go ahead, but that was scrapped in recent weeks over fears for public health.
The new rules stated that a maximum of ten people – including children and adults – could be present during a class.
Following complaints, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon changed the guidance last week, with class sizes being increased to ten adults and ten children – but only if the child is aged under 12 months.
For toddlers, the group is still restricted to five children and five parents.
Ashley is backing a nationwide campaign to extend the number of parents allowed to attend classes.
Having previously welcomed up to 18 parents to any one session, she says her business will struggle to cope with the reduced numbers.
“It would just about cover the rent of the church hall,” she told the Express.
“Out of my original five venues, I only got the go ahead from three.
“I went into the three venues and measured the space. To provide a two-metre block for parents and their child, I was able to fit ten into each venue.
“That was effectively halving my class sizes, but I was able to go ahead with the ten.
“I’m having to run more classes, which means I have to pay more rent.”
Ashley, 34, is planning to resume her classes in Paisley and Renfrew from Monday, October 19.
The benefits are huge for both mums and children who attend the sessions, she said.
The qualified early years practitioner and mum of two added: “Mums talk to us about postnatal depression, ask for advice on breast feeding and weaning. It’s a huge support network for parents and to take that away is quite upsetting really.”
The benefits of baby classes were outlined in a petition calling on the Scottish Government to expand the number of adults who can attend sessions.
Launched last week, it has already garnered almost 17,000 signatures.
One parent who has backed the campaign is Inchinnan mum Becky .
Becky, who was due to attend Ashley’s class this week, said she was desperate to meet other new mums after giving birth to her daughter, who was born two months early.
“My daughter is going to be ten months old and has never really had any interaction with any other babies her age, which is devastating,” she said.
“I feel that every child should be allowed to interact with other kids and because of covid this has been taken away from us. We can’t even go to anyone’s house to play.
“I feel like my daughter is missing out on so much and I’m unsure what this means for her development and future interaction with other children.”
It’s a huge support network for parents and to take that away is quite upsetting