New mums admit to shedding old friends in favour of new mates they can relate to, a study has revealed. Researchers found almost three quarters of new mums lost touch with several pals from their pre-baby life, with the average mother saying goodbye to three old friendships altogether.
Instead, one in five new mums are choosing to surround themselves with other women in the situation who are happy to talk about sleepless nights, nappies and breastfeeding.
Tina Withington, spokesperson for Philips AVENT, which carried out the study to mark the launch of its free app Due Date Club, said:
”Having a baby is a massive milestone for anyone, and one which completely changes your life.
”If your friends don’t have children, it can be extremely difficult for them to understand your new responsibilities.
”Other mums can provide additional support lacking elsewhere such as offering advice on areas like breastfeeding and sleeping patterns.”
The study of 2,000 mums found 74% reckon having a baby affected their friendships, with 72% completely losing touch with some of their mates.
Even those who continued to meet up with their childless friends struggled to find common ground again, with 48% admitting they found it hard to find things to talk about.
But, while 58% of women who have recently had a baby blamed the lack of contact on being too busy to socialise, 43% said their old friends just didn’t realize how their priorities had changed.
62% of women admitted to feeling lonely after having a baby, while another 38% admitted they were too scared to go to mother and baby groups and almost a quarter had no idea where to go to meet other mums.
While they might lose touch with some old friends, the study also revealed that new mums can expect to make four new friends after meeting them at antenatal classes, mother and baby groups and even just chatting to them at the park.
Tina Withington for Philips Avent continued:
”Many mums feel as though they lack common ground with old friends once having a baby, as priorities change so quickly.
”Friends without children may not understand how tricky it is to balance motherhood with a social life, and when you do get together, it is hard for new mums to talk about anything else other than their day to day role of changing nappies, playing with toys and entertaining the baby.
”It is only natural the mums might veer towards other people who are in the same position, so that there are shared interests and experiences to talk about.”
