Isolation the fear for the new mums who need to socialise

A new OnePoll survey, commissioned by the charity, shows that new mums are becoming increasingly isolated as traditional support from family and friends falls away.

One in three (37 per cent) of mothers in the region said they didn’t know any other new parents in their local area when they had their first baby.

Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) said they saw less of old friends who didn’t have children, and 43 per cent said their partner had to return to work less than two weeks after their baby was born.

More than half (52 per cent) of those surveyed said they were worried about getting out and about by themselves with their baby in the first few months, and 73 per cent said it would have helped to know more people with young children in their community.

Against this backdrop, the National Childbirth Trust is concerned that the threatened closure of crucial local services, such as Sure Start Children’s Centres, will make it even harder for mums to find the support and friendship they need in Yorkshire and the Humber.

In Hull alone, 13 out of 20 centres are having to shut. In response, NCT is building on its Bumps & Babies network.

The local groups, which are open to all and are organised by parents, for parents, rely on volunteers to offer a lifeline to many mums across the country, providing opportunities to socialise, share concerns and learn from each other.

Karin Fothergill , NCT Parent Support Co-ordinator for York, says: “New mums often feel isolated and lonely after the birth of their first child, and despite the support available online, there is no real substitute for face-to-face interaction with other parents who live near you.

“Many of the mums who took part in this research didn’t know where to go and who to meet up with in their local area in the first months after giving birth. This is incredibly worrying at such a crucial time in people’s lives.”

Izzy Psyanczyn, 28, attended a Bumps and Babies group in York with her son, Freddie.

“It gave me the chance to build friendships that have lasted,” she said.