Many women say they feel isolated and lonely following the birth of their first child, but a new study has revealed that a baby actually improves your social life.
The UK research found that women make an average of nine new friends upon the birth of their first baby, and in the first year this number swells to 22.
More than half the 2000 mothers polled in the study found it was easier to bond with other women once they became a mother, with 70 per cent of those women saying they had much more in common.
A further 16 per cent reported a better social life after having children, with more time to meet up with other mothers.
Sydney mum Bianca Cuschieri agrees with the findings, saying that a support system is very important for new mothers and that socialising is now a lot easier.
She attended prenatal classes with other first-time mums and says, “We became really close friends because we were all preparing for our baby at the same time.
“We were all expecting within one month of each other and after our children were born, we remained friends and started our own mother’s group.
“You have everything in common with each other because you are going through exactly the same thing as each other at exactly the same time.”
The study found this was a common experience, with almost half the mums making friends through mothers and toddlers groups, and 31 per cent of women striking up friendships during antenatal classes.
Bianca says she has more time to socialise since the birth of her son, who is now one, and would have found it very difficult to cope without her supportive group of friends.
“It absolutely would have been harder without them. I would have felt very alone and without support,” she said.
“Without them, I would have felt very depressed and had no-one to talk to.
“But if I’m having a bad day, I can chat to one of them about it and they are going through the same things as I am as a mother, it’s so important to have both emotional and practical support.”
Jane Albon, founder of Natures Purest, the company that commissioned the study, said it was very important for women to form friends around child birth.
“There is a misconception in society that starting a family will mean you are stuck indoors but it’s simply not true,” she said.
“Our research shows the opposite – becoming a mum can do wonders for your social life as there are so many groups and activities to become involved with.
“Having a baby is a life-changing experience, especially if you are a first-time mum, so it’s important to have friends in a similar position.”
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