11 lovely baby-friendly activities to enjoy during maternity leave in Cork
Ah, newborns.
Tiny bundles of pure, unadulterated adorableness… who also happen to be the world’s worst conversationalists.
As any sleep-deprived Cork parent will tell you, those blissful early days are also a marathon of nappy changes and soothing lullabies. So, if you’re currently navigating the joys and chaos of maternity or paternity leave, a little escape plan for when cabin fever kicks in is practically a survival necessity.
While a wander around the local shopping centre is usually a good option if you’re venturing out for the first time, as the weeks roll on, you might be looking for more support, social interaction and connection than Zara and H&M are equipped to offer.
We asked our readers to share their tips on things to do during maternity leave in Cork:
Catch a movie
The Omniplex Cinema in Mahon Point and the Arc Cinema on North Main Street regularly host baby-friendly movie screenings. Check their socials for the latest timetables.
“It’s all adult movies – you bring you baby for free, the lights aren’t as dark and the sound isn’t as loud. Great for smallies who will sleep through. As my guy got bigger we would choose a seat up the front and put a mat on the floor bring some toys and let him play for a while they feed him off to sleep: they let you bring buggy right up to door of the theatre and you can park it outside. Was a great day out. Coffee and chats then in O’Brien’s after.” – Caoimhe G
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Join the community
“Join Cuidiu! It’s a great community of parents and hosts lots of events locally.. it is a really handy way to build a community around you when things are quite lonely with a small child. cuidiu.ie – Madhu P
Get moving in Mallow
“Pilates with @everybodyphysio in Mallow, lunch in Café Townhouse Doneraile. And a walk in Doneraile park, Pilates with Bumps & Babes Fitness, O’Callaghan’s in Mitchelstown are super baby-friendly too. The Gate Cinema Mallow do monthly screenings, Mum and Baby Yoga with Ganapati School of Yoga, The Rockabye Choir in Douglas on Tuesdays, The Marina Market and you can’t forget fancy Dunnes! Also great changing facilities in Dunnes on Patrick’s Street.”
– Nóra Ní P
Stretch and socialise
“Soul Yoga Cork have fabulous Mom & Baby Yoga/Pilates. The Yoga sessions are very laid back, with no prior experience needed and a nice opportunity to meet and chat with other mums while babies have the space to do what they need to. The Pilates is the same but more focused on post natal exercises. They also have great pregnancy Yoga.”
– Romy C
Try personal training or Pilates
“Bumps & Babes Fitness – Krissy is an amazing Pilates instructor who does a fantastic ‘bring your baby’ postnatal Pilates class (mat/reformer) as well as 1:1 personal training/Pilates – highly recommend, it’s great fun, good for recovery and she is absolutely lovely as well as being an expert in this niche of Pilates.”
– Siobhan O’N
Fresh air and chats
“The amazing Sara at Mums & Minis runs a mom and baby walk on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walk on a Tuesday morning and then head for coffee afterwards.”
-Eva Mc C
Baby-friendly gym classes
“F45 Training Elysian do fantastic gym classes for mums four days a week at 11.30am – you can bring babies along – highly highly recommend . Free parking too in The Elysian.”
– Laura O’D
Clap Handies!
“I enjoyed going to baby toddler groups and also baby swimming classes and Clap Handies – loved getting out and went to the cafe way too much. Treat yourself to getting your hair done or a massage or spa day and make sure and catch up with friends.”
– Kristie F
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Get some special snaps
“Booking a Newborn or Family Photo Session. Mams in particular rarely get to be in gorgeous photos (as they’re the ones who end up taking them all). It’s such a special and fleeting time… having stunning photos to look back on is priceless.”
– Virginia T
Learn baby massage
“Try BabyChi baby massage course with the fantastic teacher Rachael in Mahon Point. Excellent class, so much useful info and great for meeting other mums and learning loads / feeling like everything you’re going through is actually totally normal. Also Baby Sensory Cork and swimming such as Water bBbies, Turtle Tots, Swim Cubs.”
-June L
Sunday stretch
“Bump, Birth & Beyond Cork runs a mum and baby yoga class on a Sunday morning in Maryborough Woods. It’s an amazing class to focus on your own recovery and learn baby yoga techniques too. I’ve been going for six months pp and have loved it. It’s a great place to meet other mums and just relax, the babies love it too! Clap Handies is great too, my daughter loves the classes, especially all the bubbles.”
-Jennifer S
