diff --git a/fishbook/frontend/relacs_classes.py b/fishbook/frontend/relacs_classes.py
index 464318e..71e64a5 100644
--- a/fishbook/frontend/relacs_classes.py
+++ b/fishbook/frontend/relacs_classes.py
@@ -18,7 +18,11 @@ class BaselineData:
 
     This class provides access to basic measures estimated from the baseline activity.
     """
-    def __init__(self, dataset: Dataset):
+    def __init__(self, dataset=None, dataset_id=None):
+        d, _ = Dataset.find(dataset_id=dataset_id)
+        if len(d) == 0 or len(d) > 1:
+            raise ValueError("Dataset id not found or not unique")
+        dataset = d[0]
         self.__spike_data = []
         self.__eod_data = []
         self.__eod_times = []
@@ -66,6 +70,21 @@ class BaselineData:
         a_corr = a_corr[int(len(a_corr) / 2):]
         return a_corr[:max_lags]
 
+    @property
+    def baseline_rate(self):
+        """The average baseline firing rate for each run of the baseline repro
+
+        Returns:
+            list of float: the average firing rate
+        """
+        rates = []
+        for i in range(self.size):
+            spikes = self.spikes(i)
+            max_time = np.floor(spikes)[-1]
+            min_time = np.ceil(spikes)[0]
+            rates.append(len(spikes[(spikes >= min_time) & (spikes < max_time)])/(max_time - min_time))
+        return rates
+
     def serial_correlation(self, max_lags=50):
         """
             Returns the serial correlation of the interspike intervals.