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POINTS DON’T MEAN PRIZES – WHICH? RESEARCH CONFIRMS YOUR SUPERMARKET SHOP IS CHEAPER WITHOUT A LOYALTY CARD

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PARENTS FEEL MOST LONELY FIVE MONTHS AFTER HAVING A BABY: EXPERT SHARES WAYS TO FEEL MORE CONNECTED FOR MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK (4th-10th May)

Parents feel most lonely five months after having a baby – when the reality of having a newborn kicked in and friends and family were less available.  

A poll of 1,000 parents with a child aged under five found more than half (55 per cent) have experienced loneliness since having their baby. 

Despite the first few months being filled with excitement (56 per cent), visits from family and friends (48 per cent) and adrenaline (37 per cent), that sense of support didn’t always last. 

For a third (34 per cent), loneliness was driven by the reality of life with a newborn setting in, as well as a growing sense that their priorities no longer aligned with those of their friends (35 per cent). 

More than half of mums (56 per cent) and nearly a third (31 per cent) of dads said they felt lonely even when they were with their baby.  

Worryingly, three quarters (76 per cent) admitted they hid how they were feeling from others.  

The study was commissioned by Aldi, which has collaborated with perinatal mental health charity, PANDAS Foundation, to raise awareness of the wellbeing of new parents for Maternal Mental Health Week (4^th –10^th May). 

The research also found 58 per cent would run errands simply for the chance to interact with others – even when they didn’t need anything. 

Supermarkets (67 per cent), parks (42 per cent) and cafés (42 per cent) were among the most common places where parents interacted with others, with nearly half (47 per cent) feeling relieved when a stranger spoke to them. 

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Support is often strongest in those early weeks of parenthood – but our research shows it’s the months that follow where many parents can feel most alone. 

“That’s why it’s so important we keep checking in, long after the initial excitement has passed.” 

Sally Bunkham, for PANDAS Foundation, said: “Once your baby arrives, everything changes.  

“It can feel overwhelming in ways many parents don’t expect, even during what’s meant to be one of the happiest times.  

“That’s why early interventional support is so important, making sure parents feel seen, supported, and not alone from the very beginning.”  

The research also found that just a few months into parenthood, 51 per cent experienced a slump in their mood, with many saying they felt anxious about what the next phase would bring. 

Parents said they saw fewer people once their partner returned to work (61 per cent), with 57 per cent reporting they had the most interaction with others in the earliest weeks after their baby was born. 

Of those, 39 per cent said visits and conversations slowed down after the first few months, while a quarter (25 per cent) admitted they simply didn’t have the energy to socialise. 

During this time, mums spent an average of seven hours a day alone with their baby, while dads experienced this for four hours. 

Despite a clear feeling of loneliness, the top emotion when first having their child was excitement, according to 72 per cent of those polled via OnePoll. 

Others were overwhelmed (58 per cent) and exhausted (44 per cent) while also being grateful (57 per cent).  

Dr Caroline Boyd, clinical psychologist, author and PANDAS ambassador, said: “These findings reflect a common but often hidden experience of early parenthood - a period where loneliness can intensify as support drops away and parents are still adjusting to their new identity. 

“In the context of this profound transition, feeling connected to trusted others is not a luxury but essential, particularly in a culture that places pressure on parents to cope alone. 

“This is why initiatives like our partnership with Aldi are so important in raising awareness and encouraging parents to seek out spaces where they feel safe enough to share how they’re really feeling.” 

The supermarket is donating £20,000 from proceeds of Mamia baby wipe sales to PANDAS Foundation during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Support is also signposted directly on-pack across Aldi’s Mamia baby wipes, putting mental health guidance in parents’ hands when they need it most. 

Dr Boyd’s top tips to help new parents feel less lonely and more connected: 

1. Start small with connection 

Even a brief interaction when you’re out and about – at the coffee shop, in the supermarket, on the bus. Make eye contact, smile, exchange a few words. Even a short, positive interaction - just 30 seconds – can lift your mood. 

2. Find one space that feels safe enough 

A group, a class, a walk, a local stay-and-play - spaces offering music, singing, yoga, art or nature-based activities can help you feel more connected to others. Try shifting the focus from supporting your baby’s development to enhancing your own sense of connection, even if you only stay a short while. 

3. Give it 7 minutes 

Connecting with someone new can feel awkward at first. The “7-minute rule” suggests it can take a little time before a conversation starts to flow. Give it a chance. 

4. Be intentional with your online time 

If doom scrolling is leaving you feeling worse, try shifting towards online spaces that feel more real and reciprocal - like a book club, writing group, or a forum for parents with shared experiences - where you can share, reflect, and feel part of something. 

5. Share how you’re (really) feeling 

In a culture shaped by the myth of ‘Supermum’ it can feel risky to speak honestly about how we feel. But talking helps us make sense, even when the words don’t come easily. If you can, share a little of what’s going on with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, partner or a support service like PANDAS.  

ENDS 

*Research carried out in April 2026 by OnePoll on a sample of 1,000 parents with children aged under five 

FAQS 

How much is Aldi donating to PANDAS Foundation? 

Aldi is donating £20,000 from proceeds of Mamia baby wipe sales to PANDAS Foundation during Maternal Mental Health Week, helping fund vital, free and confidential support for parents and caregivers who need it. 

Where can I find support for perinatal mental health?