Are you a marooned mommy in Marblehead? Wondering where to meet other new mothers during this long, cold winter?

If you have a newborn in Marblehead, chances are you’ve been staying at home during much of the artic weather we’ve had this winter. And for first-time mothers, the massive snows and frigid temps we’ve been experiencing can make getting out with your infant seem especially daunting and make meeting other “new moms” seem like a task harder than labor!

You don’t have to wait until spring to make new friends at Devereux Beach or Seaside Park, though.

Here are a few of the favorite options for meeting other moms with newborns.

1) “Social Butterflies” Infant Playgroup; Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. at Hip Baby Gear, This free, ongoing, drop-in playgroup is an easy way to meet
other first-time moms. The group varies in size each week, but usually has around 5-8 moms plus babies, usually from Marblehead, Salem and Swampscott. A casual and relaxed atmosphere, with the occasional guest speaker or free class demo.

2) Fit Mama/Happy Baby fitness class; schedule varies, You & Me Studio
 Babies are welcome at local mom Sarah Junk’s fabulous studio, where you can get fit while your little one sleeps next to you in her car seat. Besides Fit Mama, this studio has other classes specifically designed for post-partum mothers, and
has received rave reviews from many Marblehead moms. (Note: The Lynch/Van Otterloo YMCA also has a post-partum class, Baby and Me yoga, that allows moms to bring their infants into the studio.)

3) Mom and Baby Show; Mondays at 10 a.m., Cinema Salem, One East India Circle, Salem. Catch the latest Hollywood hits with your infant at this cozy (and close!) theater. Quality first-run movies (last Monday’s film was the Oscar nominated The King’s Speech), along with brighter lighting, quieter sound, and changing tables, make this a great way to start your week. Many of the moms stay for a bit afterwards chatting in the lobby. Don’t forget to grab some popcorn!

4) Musical Munchkins Babies Class; Tuesdays 2 p.m., Kiwi Girl Studio at Hip Baby Gear. This wildly popular music class is run by Kellie Cormier, and is
one of the “hippest” places to meet Marblehead moms. Designed for infants through age 6 months, this class introduces your baby to various musical genre and teaches you great ways to bring music into their lives on a daily basis. Low-key fun that attracts a mix of mothers from all over town!

5) Marblehead Mothers Co-op IV; various times and places, $40 per year fee;  This local mothers group has regular outings, craft nights, wine and apps events, and more to help you get to know the Marblehead moms
in their co-op. Who are they? Members range from born and raised ‘Headers to foreign ex-pats; stay at home moms to full-time working moms, with kids ranging from infants to teens. Go try one of their events and see if this groups’ “No Mama drama” mantra is for you!

6) The Muffin Shop, Java Sun or Starbucks, various locations in Marblehead. Too overwhelming to commit to any of the above options? Check out the local coffee shops, where you are sure to find the “baby buggy brigade” on any given morning. Prime time is after 9 a.m. (just after the local preschool drop off time) until about 11:30 a.m. That mom at the counter with the adorable looking newborn who seems to have it all together? Chances are she’s been going crazy with lack of sleep too! So break the ice and start a conversation. You can always talk about the weather these days!

Have more ideas on where to meet other first time moms in Marblehead? Is your
playgroup open to new additions? Email me and your idea can be added to the New Moms Resource list I’m creating to be posted on Marblehead Patch and the North Shore Night Nannies Facebook Page. melissamcrane@aol.com