Just for Babies in London
Just for Babies
London is a fabulous place to spend time with a baby. History and beauty mingle around you every step through this great city. Getting around is easy with a push chair, you just push them into the buses and taxis. Throw an A to Z in the push chair and download a bus map from Transport for London and off you go… http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/central-london-bus-map.pdf
Take in some culture: Most of the museums are free, nearly step-free, have excellent changing facilities and beautiful parks nearby. Enjoy it while you can. The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The V and A, The Serpentine, The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The British Museum, The Wallace Collection, and Tate Britain are all free and easily accessible in zone 1.
Let someone else put out the toys and clean them up at a neighbourhood playgroup. Choose a neighbourhood you would like to go for a museum or a shopping area, look up the playgroup, ring ahead to confirm its on, and take the baby out for a play and then sleep in the push chair while you have your time.
Baby swims are heavenly. Each neighbourhood listed has a baby and toddler swim time listed. The Queen Mother Sports Centre teaching pool is bath water warm, and just wonderful to play in with a baby.http://www.london-baby.com/?page_id=449 or, take a baby swim class with the amazing team at Love Swimming: http://loveswimming.co.uk/
Mummies Morning at Whole Foods Market: Every Monday from 10:00 - 11:00 am in the VIP area that overlooks High Street Kensington, there is a mums meet up. Bring you little one, kick back in a gorgeous arm chair and cuddle with your infant as you enjoy Whole Foods cakes, coffee, tea, juice … FOR FREE!!! Further, they bring in different therapists and speakers to give freebies out to mums.
Catch a film. Electric Scream on Portobello Road, Notting Hill is the coolest activity I have done yet with my infant. The chairs are large, cozy leather recliners with footstools. Between each chair is a large console that has a wine bucket built in. You can watch the film while drinking a glass of pinot noir!!! They offer snacks like hummus and pita, cheese and crackers!! Sadly, my infant is a year old and we won’t be able to go back many more times (and once they are mobile it is a lot of work walking around the theatre, carrying a glass of wine ha ha) . http://www.electriccinema.co.uk/electric_scream.php There are parent and baby viewings at Renoir Cinema Russell Sq, The Gate Cinema, Clapham, Brixton, BFI Southbank and Hampstead. I am off to go to a few more of these before its too late!!!
Take in a concert. Wigmore Hall has just introduced a new series, For Crying Out Loud, the first one will be on Thursday 28th January, 11:00am, there are more dates set in March. These will be 45 minute concerts for mums or dads with babies under 1 year of age. The cost is £6 and you need to book ahead. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
See a puppet show. The Little Angel Theatre has baby friendly performances, generally on Thursdays and Sundays at 11:00am, ring ahead to confirm www.littleangeltheatre.com
Play in the Science Museum Garden. They have a mirror wall, a super tactile wall, a play area with giant blocks, a pod filled with stuffed animals, puppets and an enormous water table. Its germ central, but great fun for infants on up.
Sensory rooms. The Portman Centre on Church Street and the BatterseaPark 1 O’clock Club (near the children’s playground) both have these amazing baby rooms with lights, mirrors, soft toys and climbing blocks. Its great fun.
Parent and Baby Fitness. The amazing Nina Turner is bringing a much needed class to the post-partum lives, parent and baby fitness. A chance for you to bring the baby along and get a workout. A real deal at £60 for non-members, £50 for members for 6 sessions. Contact [email protected], tel:02077988686
Cranial Osteopathy: There are two amazing doctors at Calmer Clinics who specialize in Cranial and Paediatric Osteopathy, David Propert and Alexia Lescure, friends and family have had greatly benefited from their practice http://www.calmerclinics.com/index.html
Pippa’s Poppets and Music and Movement SW1: come and check out Pippa’s Poppets, 0-3 years. For venue details and prices go to: www.pippaspoppets.co.uk
The big attractions like the Westminster Abby, London Eye and the Changing of the Guard are all accessible with an infant, but read my reviews before heading out as there are just a few things to keep in mind before you invest the time and or money into them. http://www.london-baby.com/?page_id=244
