A place to learn and play — for all ages

Windsor Park

East Kildonan

East St. Paul

St. Vital

Winnipeg

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This article was published 01/05/2024 (496 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local business is looking to make a big splash in the national baby sensory pool.

Lullaland baby sensory classes were developed in Winnipeg by Denise Turanli and Fran Hiebert. The two women met years ago, while working for a multinational drinks company.

“We worked in a very male-dominated industry, which brought us together very quickly,” Hiebert said. “Fast-forward years, we both get pregnant at the exact same time, we find out on the same day, and we have baby boys born one day apart. We went through motherhood side-by-side.”

While attending baby groups together, Turanli and Hiebert started talking about what they would do if they were putting on the sessions.

“We found there was such a gap in the market — serving families well, creating something equally engaging for grown-ups as it is for babies,” Hiebert said. “That was really important to us.”

Lullaland launched in 2019, offering 45-minute classes once a week for newborns (aged six weeks to six months) and babies (six to 14 months), with a rented spot in St. Vital. Since then, a toddler program (up to three-and-a-half year olds) has been added into the mix. Between the three programs, Lullaland now puts on 43 classes a week, in seven-week terms, across nine locations in Winnipeg and East St. Paul, with over 500 families attending. A term costs $161, plus tax.

“We use sensory props, lights, textures, colours, singing, and we really try to create an immersive environment,” Hiebert said. “This is a shared experience, it’s not about dropping the baby off, but about building those connections between the grown-up and the baby. Also, it gives these guys a chance to meet other people going through the same thing as them. There’s so much they can connect on, and we’ve seen lovely friendships blossom from the classes.”

Romie Dhaliwal, an optometrist from northwest Winnipeg, began attending Lullanewborns classes when her son was born in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“ I feel like I had a second baby just to come back to Lullaland.

“I had a friend who told me about it,” Dhaliwal said. “It was my saving grace during that time, being a new mom and being alone.”

Initially, Dhaliwal was interested in the sensory and developmental aspect of Lullaland. Now that her second child is working through the program, she says the group dynamics are a big part of the draw, as well.

“This is all part of the gross and fine motor skills,” she said. “I feel like I had a second baby just to come back to Lullaland. That’s no joke. I think it is so important. Post-partum can be such a lonely time for moms. You don’t need to know anybody to come here, and you meet people, and you become lifelong friends.”

Brooke Pritchard and her daughter, Payton, are also big fans of the program.

“She gets so excited the second we walk into Winakwa Community Centre,” the Windsor Park resident said. “She knows exactly where we are and what we’re doing. She absolutely loves one of our leaders. She sees her friends, and it’s nice for me to connect with other parents, as well. We tell everyone about it.”

The popularity of Lullaland has Hiebert and Turanli now taking applications for franchisees across Canada.

“It feels like an exciting chapter coming up,” Hiebert said.

“We hope to be the largest pre-school play program in Canada. That’s the vision. But really, we’re looking for the right person, someone who wants to start their own business, who likes flexibility in their schedule, and who is passionate about young families and seeing them thrive. This is a job where you’re working in the community.”

For more information, visit lullalandsensory.ca