New research released today has shown that, after the understandable flurry in the first eight weeks of motherhood, the period when first-time mums have the most questions about their babies’ development can be pin-pointed to five months and one week after they have given birth.
This crucial period is when visits from friends and family naturally decline, leaving mums to make decisions on their own, and at risk of feeling isolated and anxious.
Mums had the most new questions at this time around weaning (81%), sleeping (42%) and safety in the home (22%). The survey was undertaken to help with the development of NHS Baby LifeCheck by the Department of Health.
The research found that during the five to eight month period:
· 81% say their baby’s needs are changing and developing quickly (teething, weaning, moving around) which leads to lots of questions and concerns as to whether they’re doing things right and meeting all of those needs.
· 60% experience a drop in regular visits from friends and family.
· 54% say their partner is less able by this point to get home or be at home to help out.
· 32% say they don’t have any time for themselves.
· 20% felt the realization that baby care tasks are ‘repetitive and mundane’.
However, advice and support is available at this time from child health clinics, general practice and Sure Start Children’s Centres.
Kayleigh Pillington, a new first time mum of Logan-Rhys, now six months, says: “Everyone is so excited about the baby at first, but five months in when you’ve got more questions than ever because they’re doing all these new things, interest in you and the baby really dies down. That’s when I started to feel anxious – it was all on my shoulders and I just wasn’t sure if I was doing it right.”
More than half (54%) of new mums hear from family once a week after their baby is born, but this drops to only a quarter (25%) five months in.
While grandparents, aunts and uncles may offer to help with babysitting and bedtime up to three or four times a week (65%) in the first month post birth, by five to eight months they only offer once a week or less (63%).
Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said:
“This is about equipping first time parents to make the best choices for their babies. The Government recognizes that being a new parent can be a worrying time, and you want reassurance that what you’re doing is right. Parents are looking for a source of reliable information to get this reassurance and to know that they are doing the best they can for their child. That’s why the Government has set up the NHS Baby LifeCheck to empower parents to make confident decisions about their baby’s health, happiness and safety.”
Nicola Stenning, a Health Visitor from London said: “Parents are given essential support and advice in the first few months of their baby’s life. But the next stage is also a key time in their child’s development and can be a difficult time especially for first time parents. It is important that information and advice is easily accessible, which is why NHS Baby LifeCheck was developed.
“It particularly focuses on providing support for parents of five to eight month old babies between scheduled visits from health professionals and it is a key time in their development. By guiding parents through some simple questions, we can then offer advice and reassurance on making the best decisions for their child without being judgmental.”
Source: Department of Health
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