92% of new parents feel judged – here’s what mums really think

Feeding, crying, and milestones – what are mums feeling judged about?

The latest Great British Parenting Survey by HiPP Organic questioned 2,000 UK parents with young children and uncovered the main areas parents feel scrutinised about:

• Feeding choices (42%) – Bottle, breast or both? Nearly half of parents feel unfairly judged about feeding decisions.
• Developmental milestones (36%) – Feeling pressure about whether your little one is 'on track' is affecting over a third of parents.
• Crying in public (35%) – Parents are painfully aware when their baby's tantrums become a café conversation-stopper.
• Returning to work (32%) – Judgement doesn't stop at parenting style; decisions around returning to work also bring unwanted scrutiny.

Mums feel the pressure more than dads – here’s why

Perhaps unsurprisingly, mums are feeling the brunt of this judgement. The research found half of mothers (50%) worry about ‘getting things wrong’, compared to 38% of dads. And loneliness during early parenthood? Twice as many mums (46%) admit feeling isolated during the crucial first year compared to fathers (22%).

Independent midwife Christine Lane sees this daily in her practice: “These findings reflect what I hear every day. When your baby won’t stop crying or sleep routines feel impossible to establish, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong – it means you’re navigating the very real and common challenges of early parenthood.”

Christine stresses it's normal to feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, with 93% of parents experiencing anxiety from contradictory parenting guidance. She says seeking help is vital:

“Trusted resources and expert guidance can make all the difference. Just as vital is knowing it’s okay to ask for support.”

Behind closed doors – parents’ secret struggles

While 72% of new parents said they feel supported by family or partners, many admit they're silently struggling with specific issues.

• 1 in 4 mums (24%) sought no advice when experiencing relationship challenges
• 1 in 5 parents (20%) didn't discuss their financial worries with anyone

Ian McCabe, Marketing Director at HiPP Organic, shares that this silence was a key reason for the research: “As parents told us their stories, we were struck by how many felt they needed to navigate this crucial time with limited support. That's why we believe it takes a village to raise a child.”

So, what's the good news?

Despite external pressures, the survey revealed many parents actually trust their own instincts:

• 36% of parents found their instincts were correct even when external advice suggested otherwise.
• Over half (55%) find happiness in small, daily parenting moments.

Christine adds an important reminder about expectations: “The pressure to appear as though everything is perfect is immense, particularly in a world where social comparison is constant. Parents need spaces where they can be honest about their experiences without fear of judgement.”

Expert tips: How to handle parenting judgement confidently

Based on HiPP Organic’s research, independent midwife Christine Lane offers mums practical ways to confidently tackle common early-parenthood struggles:

• Trust your instincts: “You know your baby best – even if external advice says otherwise, trust your gut.”
• Find your tribe: “Choose people who lift you up rather than judge your choices. Lean into the 72% who found family and partner support invaluable.”
• Handling crying: “Gentle movement, skin-to-skin contact, and white noise can all help soothe a crying baby. Remember, crying is their primary communication tool.”
• Sleep challenges: “Keep a consistent bedtime routine but remain flexible – broken sleep is completely normal. Ask for help when you need it.”
• Feeding worries: “Your feeding choices are personal. Breast, bottle, or both – what matters is what works best for you and your baby. Expert advice can provide reassurance when needed.”

And finally, a gentle reminder we can all act on:

• Be kind to other parents: “With 92% feeling judged, support rather than critique others' parenting choices. There's rarely one right way.”

Read more:

• New Barbie with type 1 diabetes is here – and she’s got pink patches and a matching insulin pump
• Planned C-sections linked to slight increase in childhood leukaemia risk, a new study suggests
• Fewer than half of parents use parental controls on their kids’ devices – but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.