Making new Mum friends

[GraceyDoodles]

Hi, pretty new to Mumsnet but just wanted to know if my feelings are normal amongst other new mums. My little one is 3 months old and I have joined a couple of mum groups baby yoga and a baby walking club. Both groups I have mostly enjoyed and got chatting to some Mums / gone for coffee after. Im pretty introverted so it has taken a lot for me to meet new people. I'm ten weeks in to the groups and still feel a bit on edge and tense at the social aspect. Im hoping it will ease up and feel more natural as time passes. All my long term friends do not have children and are pretty career driven, I can not see them becoming parents soon or don't want children. It's just been so long since I have made new friends, I feel out of my depth and have become quite shy. Anyone else experienced similar feelings? It's a strange new world being a new mum.

I feel the same in baby groups but I’ve always struggled with making friends so it’s not a new feeling for me. Maybe you’re just not used to having to make friends in this type of environment? It must be more difficult as everyone is focused on their babies so making friends can’t be their sole focus. I don’t really have any advice but it sounds like you’re already making a good effort to get involved and talk to people, which is more than I’m managing. Just keep doing what you’re doing and hopefully friendships will come in time.

Normal. Try sing n sign or similar. Smaller groups easier. Or local baby swim pool or gym. Go on a regular day. Get used to this. School and nursery comes round fast.

I'd say it is normal too. Try to look on them as colleagues instead of potential friends. You're all going through early parenthood together so it should be fairly easy to find common topics to talk about

It can be a lot. There's been some groups where I've met people I've really liked, then never seen them again. People are so busy and getting to any baby group on time is a huge ask!

I would recommend seeking out groups that have a cafe or coffee morning attached to them, as they can provide better opportunities for unguided socialising.

I would recommend seeking out groups that have a cafe or coffee morning attached to them, as they can provide better opportunities for unguided socialising

I'd definitely second that one. I went to a group with a cafe attached and made some genuine friends through sitting and having a cuppa with them after the session had finished.

My babe is only 6 weeks so I haven't really gone to any groups yet. But I'm the same - very introverted and dreading the socialising aspect yet want to make connections. My hope is that there will be other introverted mums there and then I will just need to seek them out! Easier said than done as we introverts are elusive and I'm shy!