Supporting the transition to new parenthood

This chapter explores some of the experiences associated with the transition to parenthood. It considers the historical and contemporary forms of ‘expert’ advice that new parents are exposed to, along with current reform strategies and directives aimed at supporting new mothers and fathers. Public Heath England (2019) stated that ‘perinatal mental health problems affect between 10–20% of women during pregnancy and the first year after having a baby’ with this figure rising to 23.9% (Harrison et al ., 2023) following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent research (Burgess and Goldman, 2022) also reported a rise in stress and anxiety for new fathers, with underreported risk factors impacting physical health, parenting skills and social relationships. The need to explore the factors that can be attributed to adding to these problems is essential. The chapter considers some of the real-life experiences of this transition, shared through research (Simmons, 2020; Fatherhood Institute, 2024) that provides insight into the diverse and unique experiences of parents. Finally, this chapter considers the role of the Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing Professional in supporting new parents and reflects on the constraints and barriers that may have an impact on this, including challenges regarding professional autonomy and the impact of emotional labour.