Hertfordshire mother says social media pressures are mounting on young mums
It's as a report reveals 66% of young mum feel a pressure to succeed from social media apps
A mother from Hertfordshire is among many urging new mums to seek professional advice if experiencing postnatal anxiety.
New research highlights the growing mental health pressures faced by new mothers, with two-thirds saying they feel overwhelmed by the volume of parenting advice they receive—especially on social media.
The survey, conducted by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), found that 69% of new mums believe the barrage of advice adds to the pressures of motherhood.
More than half (52%) said they had felt overwhelmed by parenting guidance from influencers, while an equal proportion admitted to following advice from friends or family even when it didn’t feel right for them.
As a result, 51% of new mothers said they had found it harder to cope with their mental wellbeing after giving birth.
The BACP’s latest Public Perceptions survey also revealed that while 43% of new mums have considered therapy or counselling, many have not accessed it—often due to feeling it would be “self-indulgent” without a “serious problem.” Nearly one in three (31%) shared this concern.
Among the most common sources of stress for new parents in 2025 were sleep deprivation (41%), anxiety about the wider world (39%), and financial strain (37%).
A musician and author from Hertfordshire, Izzy Judd, opened up about the emotional toll of early motherhood and the need for more compassion toward mothers’ mental health
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she said: "I think if we can help mothers take away the shame of needing help—be that in the form of therapy or just someone to talk to—then we’re moving in the right direction."
Social media emerged as a particularly strong influence. Two-thirds (66%) of new parents said it creates an “overwhelming pressure to succeed,” compared with just over half (51%) across the wider population. A third (34%) worried they would never be as happy as those they see online, while 39% said it negatively affected their body image.
Commenting on the social media pressures, Ms Judd added: "I think that's because we only see one side of the picture.
"There is so much advice and opinions, and it's sometimes you're overloaded and although some of this is helpful, sometimes what we're seeing on the social media might not be a trusted source.
"You might feel you are comparing yourself, and that can have a real effect on your mental well-being."
To counter these pressures, BACP has launched Positive Steps, a new campaign aimed at encouraging new mothers to consider therapy as a form of self-care. As part of the campaign, real-life stories from mothers who have benefitted from therapy have been painted along a popular parkway in south London—a route frequently used by parents with prams.
BACP spokesperson and counsellor Georgina Sturmer said: "Being a new mum is no walk in the park – it can be one of the toughest periods in a person’s life.
"Whether it’s coping with changes to your body during pregnancy, dealing with a traumatic birth, or navigating sleep deprivation – new mums can face a range of challenges, and none are too small or too trivial to need help with.
"It’s so important to seek professional help from a registered therapist if you are feeling low or overwhelmed as a new mum, if you can.”
The Positive Steps campaign aims to normalise therapy as a supportive, non-judgemental tool for new parents and to help them feel less alone during what can be a particularly isolating time.