What New Mums Actually Need (That They’re Not Getting)

Jenny Clark
5 days ago
4 min read

The disconnect between what mums are offered and what they really need

When I was pregnant, I thought I had everything covered. I signed up for antenatal classes, read all the books, and packed my hospital bag weeks in advance. I was prepared—or so I thought.

But nothing quite prepared me for the emotional shift of becoming a mum.

People ask if you’re ready for birth, but no one really asks if you’re ready for motherhood.

And once my baby arrived, I quickly realised that while there were endless baby classes, sleep advice, and “how to” guides… there was very little that truly supported me.

I had everything I needed for my baby. But what about me?

That’s what I hear from so many mums at Nest Glasgow—they have plenty of places to go for practical baby support, but nowhere that actually nurtures them as mothers.

So what do new mums actually need?

1. Real Connection (Not Just Small Talk at Baby Groups)

The first thing I needed after becoming a mum wasn’t a class on baby massage. It was a real conversation with someone who understood.

So many baby groups focus entirely on the baby, leaving mums sitting in circles, making small talk about sleep but never really connecting.

One mum at Nest put it perfectly:

"I thought going to baby groups would help me feel less lonely, but I still felt alone in a room full of people."

New mums need spaces where real friendships can grow—beyond small talk, beyond polite smiles.At Nest, we focus on community. No forced icebreakers, no pressure—just space for real conversations to unfold.

Because friendship is one of the most powerful forms of postnatal support.

2. Spaces That Welcome Both Mum and Baby

When I tried to return to yoga after birth, I realised something frustrating—most wellness spaces weren’t designed for parents.

Gyms, studios, even cafés often assume that if you want to take care of yourself, you need childcare first.

But for many of us, that’s just not realistic.

That’s why Nest Glasgow is designed with mums and babies in mind.

You don’t need childcare—your baby is welcome.You don’t have to apologise if they cry, feed, or need a cuddle mid-class.You’re not an afterthought—this space is for you.

For many mums, it’s the first time they can move, breathe, and care for themselves without leaving their baby behind.

3. Support for Postnatal Recovery (Not Just “Losing the Baby Weight”)

One of the biggest lies we’ve been told is that postnatal fitness is about “getting your body back.”

The truth? Your body has done something extraordinary. It doesn’t need to “bounce back”—it needs support, healing, and care.

Most mums don’t need punishing workouts or pressure to “fix” themselves. They need:

Gentle movement to rebuild strength
Pelvic floor and core recovery that prioritises long-term health
Space to reconnect with their bodies—without guilt, pressure, or comparison

That’s exactly what we offer at Nest. No crash diets, no snapback culture—just restorative movement, rooted in real postnatal care.

4. Time to Just Be (Without the Mental Load)

One of the hardest parts of early motherhood isn’t just the sleep deprivation—it’s the mental load.

Remembering every appointment, tracking feeds, replying to messages, juggling everyone’s needs but your own.

And even when you’re “resting,” your mind is still running.

That’s why mums need space to pause. To exhale. To let go of the mental tabs—if only for a little while.

At Nest, whether it’s a movement class, a quiet moment with a cup of tea, or simply being surrounded by other mothers—you’re allowed to just be.

No pressure. No planning. Just presence.

5. Emotional Support (Because Motherhood Is a Whole Identity Shift)

Motherhood isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, mental, and deeply personal.

Yet most postnatal support focuses only on the baby, not the inner world of the mother.

New mums need:

Safe spaces to share how they’re really feeling
Support navigating the identity shift that comes with motherhood
Reassurance that struggling doesn’t mean failing

One study in the Journal of Perinatal Mental Health found that mothers with emotional support networks reported lower levels of postnatal anxiety and depression (Lewis et al., 2022).

Honestly, I don’t need a study to tell me that. I see it every day at Nest.

Mums walk in feeling heavy—exhausted, unsure, disconnected. And after a conversation, a pause, a reminder that they matter—they leave a little lighter.

That’s what support looks like.

What Needs to Change?

Right now, new mums are being let down by a system that assumes if the baby is thriving, the mother must be too.

But mothers matter.

We need more:

Mother-focused spaces. Not just baby classes—but places designed for mums.
Accessible postnatal care. Movement, healing, and emotional support available to every mum.
Community-led solutions. Because we were never meant to do this alone.

And that’s what we’re building at Nest Glasgow.