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We ask new moms about the pressure to be ‘perfect’

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Becoming a parent is an exciting, wonderful experience, but like all beginnings, it can also come with a certain amount of anxiety. Many new moms will read books, download apps and seek advice from family and friends as they feel that they need to know it all, cope under all kinds of new pressure, function on limited sleep, and in general do a perfect job in this very new and daunting time. Along the way they hear opinion after opinion about how to be ‘perfect’ and how to do it ‘perfectly’.  Baby Dove believes that there are no perfect moms, only real ones, and that new moms should trust their way.

After reflecting upon this year’s recent Mother’s Day celebrations, Baby Dove, a supporter of real moms, wants to remind all South African moms that no one knows your baby better than you do. This is the perfect time to give moms the positive reinforcement they need to hear. To be able to close out the noise and criticism, to listen in, and trust themselves to look after their baby the best way they know how. As a mom, you understand the difference between the hungry cry, the tired cry and sad cry, so moms need to give themselves more credit for the things they do well when they trust their way. The bond a mother has with her little one is one of a kind and beautifully unique, and that bond should be celebrated, every day of the year.

Baby Dove understands that all new moms are filled with doubt and anxiety, and what you really need is support and for someone to tell you that you are doing a great job and to encourage you that you know best. Moms need more cheerleading and less reason to doubt themselves. And new moms definitely don’t need more advice. Baby Dove realises that each South African mom has a different story, a different parenting angle, and a different journey. We ran a poll over Mother’s Day and asked some local moms 6 questions about motherhood. When asked, do you feel pressure from society to be the perfect mom? 89% of moms responded yes. 58% of moms felt that the perfect mom that we see portrayed in the media is not achievable. We asked if the stereotype of the perfect mom is unrealistic and if it creates anxiety for parents, 83% of moms said yes.

90% of moms want their peers to identify them as more than just a mom now that they’ve had a baby, and 82% don’t think they should have to give up their passions and interests to be a good mother. Lastly, we asked, do you think you’re a better mom when you take care of yourself and do the things you love, 95% of moms agreed with this statement. What is clear from these poll results is that real moms are real women, trying their best and making their way, day by day, and learning about themselves and their babies as they go.

Baby Dove is there for moms every step of the way, creating a community where moms can support each other and reassure one another to trust their way, whether its by the book, the way their mother did it, or making it up as they go.

This Mother's Day and every Mother's Day, Baby Dove will be there by your side to assure you that you are not alone. In a work full of pressure and stereotypes, we need to help each other more and close out the noise of the outside, and trust our unique way. Because there is no such thing as being a perfect parent so – Trust Your Way.

This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by Baby Dove.

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