Beyond Baby Groups: A New Model for Postnatal Support
- Jenny Clark
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 19
When I first became a mum, I did what so many of us do—I signed up for every baby class I could find. Baby massage, sensory play, music groups. I was determined to give my little one the best start possible. But after a few weeks, I realised something:
These classes weren’t for me.
Yes, they were lovely for my baby, and yes, I enjoyed watching him engage with new experiences. But I still left feeling isolated, exhausted, and, honestly, a little lost. While the babies were having their needs met, I wasn’t.
That’s when it hit me—there’s a huge gap in the way we support mums. Most postnatal services focus entirely on the baby, assuming that if the baby is happy, the mum must be too.
Motherhood is so much more than just meeting our babies’ needs. We need spaces that recognise that mums matter too.
Why Baby Groups Aren’t Enough
Baby groups have their place. They provide stimulation, socialisation, and activities that help babies develop. But let’s be honest—babies don’t actually care where they are as long as they’re with you. The real question is: are these spaces meeting your needs as a mother?
For so many of us, the answer is no.
I remember sitting in a circle at a baby group, singing nursery rhymes, feeling like I was going through the motions but not actually connecting with anyone. I craved real conversations, not just small talk about sleep regressions and weaning.
So many of the mums I meet have told me the same thing:
💬 "I signed up for baby groups thinking I’d make friends, but I still felt lonely."
💬 "I needed something for me, not just my baby."
💬 "I was desperate for connection, but I didn’t know where to find it."
That’s why I created Nest Glasgow—to build a space that nurtures both mum and baby together.
A New Model for Postnatal Support
At Nest, we don’t believe in just ticking the “baby class” box. We believe in a complete approach to motherhood—one that looks after your physical, mental, and emotional well-being as much as your baby’s development.
That means:
Movement classes designed for mums, where babies are welcome but not the sole focus.
Workshops on postnatal recovery, maternal mental health, and navigating motherhood.
A place to rest, breathe, and have real conversations with other mums.
Because mums deserve more than a checklist of activities for their babies—we deserve support, connection, and spaces where we actually feel like ourselves again.
The Importance of Supporting Mums, Not Just Babies
Research backs this up. A study in the British Journal of Midwifery found that postnatal depression is significantly reduced when new mothers have access to strong social support networks (Johnson et al., 2022).
This isn’t just about making motherhood more enjoyable—it’s about protecting maternal mental health. We spend so much time ensuring that babies are thriving, but what about the well-being of the person raising them?
When a mother is supported, when she has spaces that meet her needs, when she feels seen and valued, she is better able to show up for her child.
That’s why Nest exists—to shift the focus back to the mother.
What the Future of Motherhood Spaces Should Look Like
If we want to truly support mums, we need to move beyond baby groups and create holistic spaces that nurture the entire experience of motherhood.
This means rethinking how we structure postnatal care:
Multi-functional spaces that blend movement, education, and social connection.🚀 Flexible options that fit around real mum-life (because we know how unpredictable babies can be!).
Normalising support for mothers, not just babies—because the best way to care for a child is to care for the person raising them.
I believe we’re at the start of a huge shift in how we approach postnatal care. Spaces like Nest aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity. And I want to see more places like this, not just in Glasgow, but everywhere.
Because every mother deserves a space that sees her, supports her, and reminds her she’s not alone.
Nest Glasgow is a family-friendly wellness and co-working studio designed specifically for pregnancy, postnatal recovery, and motherhood support. We offer baby-friendly fitness classes, including postnatal yoga, pregnancy yoga, and mum-and-baby movement, so mums can focus on their well-being without needing childcare. Nest is more than just a mum and baby class—it’s a welcoming space for maternal mental health, community, and connection, where mothers can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported through the challenges of early motherhood. Alongside movement and well-being classes, we provide co-working sessions, giving mums the space to work, focus, and collaborate. With expert-led sessions in prenatal and postnatal care, Nest takes a holistic approach to women’s health after birth, helping mums rebuild strength, reduce stress, and find their village. Whether you're looking for postnatal exercise, mum meet-ups in Glasgow, co-working spaces for parents, or a relaxing space to recharge with your baby, Nest is here to support you every step of the way.
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