Parents feel loneliest five months after having a baby as family visits fade

Parents experience their deepest loneliness five months after welcoming a baby – when the reality of life with a newborn sets in and relatives and friends become less accessible. Research involving 1,000 parents with children under five revealed more than half have encountered loneliness since their baby arrived. While the initial months brim with excitement and energy, alongside visits from loved ones, when this begins to fade many new parents develop feelings of isolation. Over half of mums (56%) and almost a third (31%) of dads admitted they felt lonely despite being with their infant. This sense of isolation was further compounded by a sense that their priorities no longer aligned with those of their friends. Yet, three quarters hid how they were feeling from others. The research was commissioned by Aldi , which has partnered with perinatal mental health charity, PANDAS Foundation, to highlight and challenge stigma surrounding new parent wellbeing during Maternal Mental Health Week (4th –10th May). The findings showed 58% would run errands - despite not needing anything - simply to engage with other people. Supermarkets , parks and cafés ranked among the most frequent locations where parents connected with others, with nearly half (47%) experiencing relief when a stranger initiated conversation with 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 the mental health charity, 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. "Early interventional support is so important, making sure parents feel seen, supported, and not alone from the very beginning." In the research, parents said they saw fewer people once their partner returned to work (61%). A quarter 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. 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. "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, which have QR codes to scan for support on packs, to PANDAS Foundation during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.