By 
Scrolling through Instagram, we’re often inundated with flawless images of new motherhood, making it easy to overlook the fact that it can sometimes be challenging.
Before my daughter was born, I pictured peaceful scenes of her sleeping in my arms, long strolls in spring with the pram, and coffee dates with fellow moms. In reality, she rarely slept without fuss, disliked the pram, and was so curious about the world that I couldn’t enjoy a hot drink for long.
It wasn’t until nearly her first birthday that I truly found my rhythm in motherhood. Around that time, she stopped needing to be rocked to sleep multiple times a night, breastfeeding became more manageable, and I started mastering her routine.
The saying “It takes a village” has become popular on social media, but the constant repetition can sometimes overshadow the genuine support new moms need. My “village” has included my husband (who often handles our daughter at night because he can fall back asleep faster) and my parents (who help with childcare weekly).
Although my family doesn’t live nearby, connecting with local moms in London has been essential. I’ve tried everything from antenatal groups and mom “dating” apps to baby classes, WhatsApp groups, chance encounters at playgrounds, and conversations at nursery drop-offs.
Before becoming a mom, I might not have had much in common with some of these women. Yet, those shared experiences—talks about teething struggles, food refusals, and diaper disasters—have kept me grounded and made motherhood even more fulfilling. Even if these chats happened while bouncing a baby and watching my coffee go cold.
I remember in those early days, seeing other moms pushing toddlers in the park while I wrestled with my pram-averse newborn. I feared judgmental looks, as if others thought I was doing everything wrong. Instead, I received encouraging smiles that seemed to say, “Hang in there; you’re doing just fine.”
Now that I’m the one pushing a toddler, I always remember how significant those small, understanding smiles between moms truly are.
