Nothing beats the beauty of mum friends. Whether you’re looking for a chat buddy during night feeds or recommendations for an infant swim class, local mums come pre-loaded with an arsenal of useful information that can help you better navigate this new (and trying!) period in your life.
Other mums just get it. Need to cancel your coffee date last minute because your little one had an epic meltdown? No problem, no questions asked. Dying to share your newfound love of Little Stackers baby bottles and sippy cups with someone who will appreciate the same? Call a mum friend! What happens, though, if your old friends simply don’t have children of their own? What’s the best way to meet other new mums when you’ve had the same friend group since you were little?
Fear not! Enlist the help of this handy little guide on how to strike up new friendships at the playground or in brand-new playgroups or internet forums. Here are our top tips to connect with fellow mamas…
- Put your phone away. Are you someone who uses your phone as a crutch in social situations? Resist the urge to scroll and try to stay present. Make eye contact. Ask other people questions about themselves. A head buried in a phone is the universal sign to stay away, so do your best to open up and engage no matter how awkward it might feel at first!
- Use the babes to your advantage. Does your mind ever go completely blank and you’re not sure what to say in social situations? Don’t panic—it happens to the best of us. When all else fails, focus your attention on the little ones. Ask a mum where she bought her baby’s adorable hat or compliment her shoes, paving the way for additional conversation should you find yourself stumped at any given moment.
- Ask questions. The proof is in the pudding—people just love to talk about themselves. Resist the urge to keep the spotlight on yourself and instead ask open-ended questions that encourage others to open up.
- Remember you’re all in the same boat. Take a deep breath and keep in mind that the majority of other mums are looking to meet new people too! Chances are the gals you’re chatting with are feeling just as awkward as you are at any given moment.
- Be realistic. Not every conversation you have will lead to a lifelong friendship. That’s okay! Don’t underestimate how far simple interactions can go when it comes to improving your mood. If you’re not really clicking with someone, try not to take it to heart. Your mama besties are out there, we promise—you just need to find them!
- Create a group chat. You know better than anyone that new mums have a lot going on, so don’t take it personally if a new friend suddenly goes silent. Instead, take a proactive approach and organise a group chat with mums you meet to help stay in touch. Plan weekly get-togethers at the park or stroller walks. Do your best to cultivate and enrich new relationships.
- Get in touch as soon as possible. Now’s not the time to play hard to get. After meeting a new mum you get along with, text her straight away to help break the ice: saying you enjoyed your conversation and putting out feelers for another get-together.
- Ask for help. Long gone are the days of keeping your problems under wraps. If there’s anything a new mum loves, it’s other mums who keep it real! Reach out to new friends for help when you need it. You’ll be surprised by how quickly people will rush to your aid.
Not sure how or where to find other mamas in your area? No matter where you live, you’ll likely stumble upon various local mum groups available to help you connect and meet new people. Your local maternal and child health nurse can also set you up with a mum's group not long after you give birth. If that group isn’t right for you, test drive other local playgroups or perform a quick Google search to pinpoint groups in your area.
You can also check out these helpful resources to scout out meetups in your area:
If you’re looking to meet new mums but don’t know where to start, try leaning on one of the above options to give a new playgroup in your area a go. Remember, though… just because one playgroup isn’t quite the right fit doesn’t mean you can’t try out others. Your mama bestie is out there in that great big new mum universe—you just need to find her!
Oh, and when you do find her, remember to tell her about Little Stackers baby bottles and sippy cups. You'll be friends for life!
