What exactly is the point of playdates? Newborns definitely don't play together, babies under 9 months take no notice of each other and, by the time they turn 1, they prefer to “parallel” play, barely acknowledging each another. And then, just when you think they're ready at 2 to gain something from the playdate experience, all they want to do with their “friends” is fight and compete for toys and attention.
MORE FOR THE MOMS
Occupational therapist Meg Faure –author of and co-author of –believes that there is great value in the playdate from very early on –not so much for the babies, but for the parents. Having a support structure and finding out how each other's babies are doing is paramount, she says. In those first weeks, even if you can't get out with your baby, it's important to see other parents and take it from there.
