More than half of modern mothers believe being a new mum is harder now than for any previous generation, according to research. A poll of 2,000 mums finds that 55% of women aged 25-44 feel the role is harder today than it was in the past.
Lack of support and new pressures
Some 49% feel they don't have the village-like support of previous generations. Meanwhile, 42% of those with children aged 10 and below don't have the support their own mums once did, and 62% say they face new pressures, such as those coming from social media and peers.
Nearly eight in ten millennials say they struggle to balance work and motherhood, whereas 43% of boomers said their time as a mum was "easy" because they were able to stay at home and look after their little ones without working.
Mental load and campaign launch
However, the majority of mums feel their partner or family don't notice the mental load they are carrying (59%) or that their own needs are treated as less important (49%). Overall, almost all (95%) mums report feeling they shoulder most of the mental and emotional responsibility of parenting.
To help address this, Philips Avent, which commissioned this research, has launched 'A Mum is Born', a new campaign calling on family and friends to step up and support new mums without being asked.
Marci El-Deiry, spokesperson for the brand, said: "While we celebrate every first smile and milestone for the baby, we don't always recognise the person learning one of life's biggest new roles.
"As a mum raising my sons, I've learned that parenting isn't something you figure out overnight. What made the biggest difference wasn't having all the answers but having people who showed up.
"That's why this campaign and raising awareness of the need to share the care is so important, as I've heard my experience echoed in this research."
Mural and public response
According to data from OnePoll.com, 38% of mums struggle to ask for help because they are too embarrassed to admit they are struggling, often believing they should be able to cope on their own.
But the research also finds 85% agree that small moments of acknowledgement would have a powerful impact on how they feel day to day.
When asked what these moments of acknowledgement would be, the top answers included reassurance they are doing a good job (37%), help with household chores (35%), and being checked in on as a person, not just as a mum (35%), as a third said they were overlooked after becoming a mum. Modern mums also wanted continued support; offering to watch the baby so they can rest (39%) and checking in regularly beyond the first few weeks (38%).
To bring this message to life, Philips Avent has partnered with internationally renowned artist and mother Kelly Anna to create a mural now on display at Westfield White City London, which celebrates the moment a mother is born.
Speaking on her involvement in creating the mural, Kelly Anna said: "When I became a mother, I realised how isolating it can feel, and how impactful a simple moment of acknowledgement can be.
"When working on this piece, I didn't want to just recreate the emotive and widely recognised image of a mum giving birth; I wanted to create a call to action.
"Art has always been my way of creating connection, and I hope this mural reminds everyone in our community that mums should be equally supported as their baby."
