With many new parents in Scotland experiencing a drop in contact with others just a few months after having a baby, a leading psychologist has shared her advice to help parents feel more connected during early parenthood.
To mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (4th–10th May), Dr Caroline Boyd, clinical psychologist, author and ambassador for perinatal mental health charity PANDAS Foundation, has teamed up with Aldi to highlight the very real loneliness many parents can experience in the months after bringing their baby home, and to raise awareness of the help available.
New research from Aldi found that 53% of parents in Scotland have experienced loneliness since having a baby, peaking at five months, when visits slow down and partners return to work.
Many said loneliness was driven by the reality of life with a newborn setting in (34%), as well as a growing sense that their priorities no longer aligned with those of their friends (35%).
More than half of mums (56%) and nearly a third (31%) of dads said they felt lonely even when they were with their baby. Worryingly, more than three quarters (76%) admitted they hid how they were feeling from others.
The study also highlights how meaningful even small interactions can be, with nearly half of parents (47%) saying they feel relieved when a stranger speaks to them.
To support, Aldi, Britain’s biggest discounter, is donating £20,000 from proceeds of Mamia baby wipe sales to PANDAS Foundation during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, helping to fund vital, free and confidential support for parents and caregivers across the UK.
Support is also signposted directly on-pack across Aldi’s Mamia baby wipes, helping parents access mental health guidance when they need it most.
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."
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said:
“Support is often strongest in those early weeks of parenthood – but 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."
“Through our partnership with PANDAS Foundation, we want to help break the silence around perinatal mental health and ensure parents know support is there when they need it most.”
Dr Caroline Boyd shares five simple ways to feel more connected during early parenthood:
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 doomscrolling 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.
For more information or to access support, visit here.
*Research carried out in April 2026 by OnePoll on a sample of 1,000 parents with children aged under five
