The YouGov poll of 516 women with babies under one, carried out on behalf of the NSPCC, found that at some point in the first eight weeks after birth, more than half of the mothers felt isolated with no-one to turn to and almost two-fifths admitted getting angry with their baby.
It also found that one fifth of mums said they were frequently ‘very upset’ by their baby’s crying.
The survey also highlighted that less than two-fifths of new mothers from disadvantaged backgrounds had attended antenatal classes, compared to two-thirds of advantaged mothers.
Almost three quarters of all new mothers said they would have liked more professional advice before their baby was born. In particular information about how to deal with anxiety, fear and depression, the effects sleep deprivation can have and how to cope with their baby’s crying and sleeplessness.
As part of the NSPCC’s All Babies Count campaign - an on-going campaign to raise awareness of the interests of babies and encourage preventative interventions - the charity is calling on the Government to ensure sufficient resources are available to provide the right services that babies and their families need.
The NSPCC warns that the gaps in service provision pose a particular problem for vulnerable families, especially when families are also experiencing violence, mental health, chronic debt or drink or drug problems, which can create a barrier to them bonding with their baby. These situations can leave the child at higher risk of abuse or neglect, says the charity.
To help support families, the charity has launched a range of services aimed at vulnerable families and their babies, in 21 locations across the UK. They include a new antenatal education programme entitled Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, which brings together midwives and children’s workers to help parents who need extra help to care for their baby’s physical and emotional needs.
The NSPCC has also distributed posters and leaflets to 6,000 doctors’ surgeries offering advice and support to mothers and fathers struggling to care for their baby.
Chris Cuthbert, the NSPCC’s head of strategy and development for children under one, said, ‘The interaction between mother and baby is very powerful and vitally important for a child’s development.
'Our survey clearly shows the emotional turmoil some mums are facing and their need for more support to look after themselves and handle the huge challenges of caring for a newborn. The emotional health and wellbeing of new mothers and their babies is an urgent public health issue.’
He added, ‘Currently much of the focus of antenatal education is on physical health, such as the choice of pain relief during labour.
‘However, we want both mothers and fathers to have access to high quality antenatal education on the practicalities of caring for a baby that prepares parents for the emotional challenges they will face.
'This will help them cope with the impact it will have on their life, their relationships and their own wellbeing and assist them in being the best parents they can be.’
All Babies Count campaign
