Learning from your answers

Families and old friends are vital, but we also need new friends. Mothers' groups or playgroups can increase your sense of connection to others and help your baby learn how to make friends. You may also need to think about professionals whom you might not have needed before, such as a family doctor, a maternal and child health nurse, and a local pharmacist, as well as someone who might care for your baby so that you can do some separate adult activities. It's often easier to pay for practical assistance like household cleaning or babysitting than for emotional support. However, consulting a professional person who specialises in the emotional needs of parents of young children can be helpful in this new life phase. This is most likely to be needed if your own early life was difficult and you do not want to repeat these patterns with your own children. Your family doctor is the best person to ask about who provides this service in your area.