Finding Your Mum Circle: A Guide To Making New Friends Once Your Baby Arrives

Becoming a mum will change your life in every possible way. It will be filled with some precious moments, but it can also be lonely. Having a baby can mean big changes to your social life, with your days (and nights) revolving around diaper changes, feeds and sleep patterns. But the good news is that there are other people in the same situation, opening the door for new friendships and experiences. Learn how to find your “mum circle” to help you share the highs and lows of motherhood, supporting each other on this special journey.

Make connections during pregnancy

Building your mum circle can happen before your baby arrives. Classes and groups for pregnant women can be a great way to meet other mums, especially those at a similar stage of pregnancy. Pregnancy support groups are a great place to start, with classes (including online ones) that can help you throughout your 40 weeks. Other pre-baby classes to explore include yoga and fitness classes, giving you safe and supportive spaces to meet other expectant mothers.

If you’re unsure where to look for classes and support groups, ask your doctor or nurse during an appointment, or search online for information. 

Reach out to your friends with children

Your mum circle could be closer than you think! Reach out to your friends and relatives with children who you can count on for advice and support – they’ll be full of tips and advice to help you. If you have friends with babies of similar ages, you could find yourself with a ready-made group for coffee dates and lunches, as well as late-night messages to share the tears and triumphs! If you want to know the answers to questions like ‘Why is my newborn waking up every hour?’ or ‘What’s your advice for teething?’ – you can be sure someone has the answer. You could start a WhatsApp group for you and your fellow mums to chat about all things baby-related. Consider it your safe space, free from judgment or mum-guilt!

Join some mum and baby groups

Baby groups can be an excellent way to meet new people, and even help your babies develop some important first friendships. Baby groups can help keep babies active and provide learning opportunities, but they’re also safe spaces for mums to socialise and meet other parents. From coffee mornings to activity classes, there are all kinds of baby groups you can join to help you make the most of the mum lifestyle. As the weeks go by, it will be comforting to see some familiar faces, and you could meet up with other mums outside the groups. Find out what’s happening in your community and sign up for the groups and classes that interest you.

Look to social media for networks

In addition to your real-life mum circle, you can find support and friendship online too. You may find there are several Facebook groups and other networks for mums in your area, helping you find people to connect with for meet-ups and advice. Beyond your local area, the internet has many handy networks for parenting advice, tips and conversations. Some of the best social networking sites for parents include Mumsnet and Family Lives. You might also find that content creators on social media are a good source of information, especially the ones that are engaged with their following. You may even decide to start posting about parenting yourself!

Start a conversation

As daunting as it may seem, sometimes you just need to be brave and start a conversation! Making friends as an adult can seem like a scary prospect – and worse than Tinder in some people’s experiences! A little courage could help you meet some special people who become an important part of your life. Whether you see another mum in a café or you strike up a conversation at drop-off, there are a lot of different situations where you could start chatting with other mums. Remember that someone on their own may be feeling just as lonely and scared as you do, so a reassuring smile and a friendly hello can go a long way. 

Finding your mum circle can help you get the support you need to navigate the different stages of motherhood. From having someone to vent to about your lack of sleep, to finding practical advice on feeding and sleeping habits, having other mothers to confide in can help you grow your confidence and remind you that you’re doing a great job – even on the toughest of days!