Half of new parents experience loneliness despite support networks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 17:11 · Archive

More than half of new parents feel lonely during the first 1,000 days after having a child, despite most having a support network.

A study of 4,339 parents across nine European countries, including 500 from the UK, found that 53% experienced loneliness during the first 1,000 days with a child aged three or under. Two thirds reported having a 'village' of support around them, yet parents have an average of only three sources of support compared with eight recommended by paediatricians.

Immediate or extended family (70%), partners (72%), and friends (51%) most often make up a parent's support network. Despite this, 66% felt their village was not as strong as it had been 20 years ago. The findings come from The Pampers Baby Report: The Village Barometer, based on Europe-wide research informed by UNICEF's Office of Research Innocenti and Professor Natasha Kirkham, a developmental psychologist.

Professor Kirkham said: 'The first 1,000 days are an important foundation for child health and development, but the message should not add pressure to parents. Babies do not need perfect conditions, they need a healthy, nurturing and responsive environment around them.' The Mirror reports that sleep disruption may contribute to parental isolation, with UK parents losing an average of five-and-a-half hours of sleep per week after having a child.

How it is being reported

• More than half of new parents feel lonely despite 'village' of supportParents struggle with loneliness despite having a supportive community around them.Daily Express · 4 Nov, 16:38
• Half of new parents feel lonely - even with friends and family aroundNew research discovered more than of half parents felt lonely during the first 1,000 days of having a baby, despite most having friends and family around themThe Mirror · 4 Nov, 16:36

In this story: The Pampers Baby Report: The Village Barometer · UNICEF's Office of Research Innocenti · Natasha Kirkham

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