New baby: renewed love life, new friends and closer family ties

There’s a common belief that having a baby will improve a marriage, and although that isn’t always true, current research suggests that a new baby improves the couple’s love life, gains them new friends, and creates closer family ties.

The poll, carried out by Aptamil, discovered that, although two out of three mums find motherhood to be harder than they’d imagined, they also discovered improved relationships.

Two-thirds of mums said they were supported by their own mums in the busy first weeks, while 50% relied on other family members.

Interestingly, although new friendships are often formed with other mums, thanks to the shared experience, one in ten mums said they never saw their current friends because of how their lives have changed.

Dr Ellie Lee, a senior lecturer in social policy at the University of Kent and expert in parenting culture, commented, “Given that parenthood often comes with a ‘health warning’ about the new stresses and strains it brings for mums, dads and their relationship with each other, it is striking that many mums report that having children has created a new closeness to others.”

Christine Northam from Relate, the UK’s largest provider of relationship support, said, “Having a baby can be a wonderful experience for a family, we often see couples whose relationship has flourished because of a new arrival. Family ties strengthen and close family members can be re-discovered. That said, tough times will arise when bringing up children, but it’s important to remember that if couples work together they increase the chances of having a happier family.”

Aptamil is still looking for views on being a modern mum. Visit aptamil.co.uk/21mum to take part in the online forum.