The postpartum period is a critical phase for new mothers, marked by significant physical, emotional and psychological adjustments. Studies underscore the essential role of community and social support during this time. However, after the short maternity leave, many mothers feel unsupported. This spurred mom Christie Buss to create her own support circle, now a sprawling community called The Parent Hub.
Studies Show New Mothers Need More Support
A study conducted in the City of Tshwane explored the experiences of first-time mothers discharged early from healthcare facilities. The findings revealed that these mothers often lacked confidence and the necessary knowledge to care for themselves and their newborns. The study concluded that alternative forms of social support are crucial to ensure a smooth transition into motherhood.
It’s something that Christie knows from first-hand experience: after giving birth to her third child, she felt isolated and unable to cope. “I really felt a little bit alone, exhausted, and like, I didn’t know what I was doing, and it was just such an overwhelming, lonely journey,” she says of that time. Her newborn had what doctors thought was bad colic (which later turned out to be an allergy to Christie’s breast milk) and needed Christie’s attention at all times. It meant she had no time for herself, much less for her friends. “My friends kept on being like, ‘Okay, well, can we do a wine night yet?’ And I was like, ‘Guys, I can’t, I don’t have anyone to give my baby to. He screams all the time. He needs me all the time.’”
The Power of Communities like The Parent Hub
At the time, she had already built the online infrastructure for The Parent Hub, but hadn’t hosted any in-person meet-ups. In desperation, she dropped a message on the Facebook page: “I was like, ‘Would anyone like to go for a walk?’”. Standing in the parking lot at TPH’s first-ever meet-up, Christie wasn’t sure if anyone would show, or if it would help. But four women pulled up with their babies. As they walked together, Christie opened up about her experience in new motherhood. “And out of those four ladies, three of their babies also had colic, and they were exhausted,” Christie recalls. “In that moment, I was just like, ‘Oh my goodness. This is so needed. This is so needed.’”
Studies back up Christie’s experience. A paper in Frontiers in Psychiatry notes, “Perceived lack of social support is a risk factor for developing mental health problems. Insufficient or inappropriate professional support for both parents has been reported by many studies.” There’s more: many of the countries deemed the world’s happiest are also ones with most gender equality, according to research. This equity includes opportunities for women’s career advancements and crucially, generous paid leave policies for parents. These countries also boast affordable child care. All of these create a supportive environment for mothers.
What Communities For Moms Can Offer
The Parent Hub has since grown from weekly walks in one area to a sprawling initiative. They operate in the Western Cape, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban. TPH also hosts different avenues for connection, with meet-ups for sea swimmers, businesswomen and yogis. And, once mums of newborns settle into a routine, many stay to assist new mothers joining the community. Christie hopes to expand the programme to include support for mothers of older children, too, but would love more mothers to help expand the project. Ultimately, TPH hopes to create an environment where mothers feel less alone. “I realised that we live in this world where the majority of families are no longer where dad goes to work and the mum stays at home, looking after a baby and creating community,” says Christie. “Many of us are working and cleaning the house and cooking, and unfortunately, the thing that we’re leaving behind are friendships and community.”
