London statues get ‘forced smiles’ to expose hidden loneliness in motherhood
New campaign reveals the emotional toll of motherhood, with 94% of mums feeling lonely—but too many still suffer in silence
Nearly all mums say they’ve felt lonely—now a striking London campaign is calling time on the ‘forced smiles’ hiding the truth.
Being a mum is meant to be the most joyful time of your life, right? But for many women, the reality looks very different. New research from Peanut reveals a staggering 94% of mothers feel lonely—and more than half are faking smiles to hide it.
The 'forced smile' hiding maternal loneliness
If you’ve ever felt pressure to ‘put on a brave face’ as a mum, you’re far from alone. A powerful new campaign from women’s social network Peanut has given a voice—and a face—to this emotional reality.
For Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (5–12 May), statues across London have been given ‘forced smiles’ to symbolise the unspoken burden carried by so many mums.
The installation is a stark visual reminder of what 58% of mothers admit: they smile through loneliness, assuming no one notices. A further 76% say they had no idea motherhood could feel so isolating until they lived it.
Mothers are forcing smiles outwardly and then suffering alone across the UK. Motherhood is the ultimate ‘insta vs reality’ moment.
Why no one talks about it
While mums are often open about the physical aftermath of birth—think perineal tears and night sweats—talking about loneliness remains taboo. In fact, 43% of mothers say they’ve never told anyone how isolated they feel.
I don’t feel myself and feel embarrassed to say I’m lonely... People just say ‘well you’re pregnant’ and I felt left out of normal activities.
So why the silence? The survey reveals mums stay quiet because they fear being a burden (62%), believe they should just ‘get on with it’ (59%), or feel ashamed (51%).
Loneliness isn’t just a ‘new mum’ issue
This isn’t just about those first foggy newborn months—though they’re tough, with 75% of mums feeling lonely in the first three months postpartum. It starts in pregnancy, with over half (54%) feeling isolated while expecting.
The emotional toll is immense. According to the research:
- 75% say loneliness affects their mental health
- 69% report a loss of identity
- 63% see a drop in confidence
- 53% feel they’ve failed for struggling
Mother-of-one Dizney explains, “It wasn’t about physical isolation anymore… Loneliness made the days feel longer, the doubts louder, and the weight of everything heavier.”
Another mum, Alisha, says, “Currently on maternity leave, I don't have anything to do or hardly anyone to see. It makes me feel worthless, undeserving, down.”
Real stories, real struggles
From feeling like an “alien” after moving postpartum (Adelle), to missing pre-baby friendships (Jessica), the emotional weight of loneliness shows up in countless ways.
I’ve closed myself off around those I love... I started to resent my partner for getting to continue having a ‘normal’ life.
It’s a raw, honest picture of motherhood rarely seen on Instagram.
Campaigners say it’s time to break the silence
Peanut has teamed up with Tommee Tippee and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) to launch this campaign—and to encourage open, judgement-free conversations.
You don't have to put on a brave face. Your mental health matters. Whatever you’re feeling, there’s a community ready to listen and help.
The campaign also highlights the potential of peer support: 56% of mums say connecting with other mothers would have made a big difference.
Where to find help
If you’re feeling low or just need to talk, help is out there. Visit the Maternal Mental Health Alliance Information Centre at maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/parents or join conversations and support groups via the Peanut app.
Because no one should have to raise a child feeling this alone.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.