Behind the Smile: Why We're Asking Mums to Drop the Mask

Let’s be honest, motherhood is often painted as a joyful, glowing journey.

But for many, the reality looks a lot different.

According to new research, 58% of mums are putting on a brave face, hiding feelings of deep loneliness behind a forced smile.

This Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re teaming up with our friends Tommee Tippee and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) to launch the Forced Smiles campaign - a call to end the silence around maternal loneliness.

The Hidden Crisis of Motherhood

Loneliness in motherhood isn’t a fringe issue, it’s everywhere. From pregnancy to postpartum, isolation affects mums at every stage. Our survey found that:

• 54% of mums felt lonely during pregnancy

• 75% struggled with loneliness in the first three months after giving birth

• 76% were surprised by just how isolating motherhood turned out to be

And here’s the kicker: many mums said they’d rather talk about postnatal sex or perineal tears than admit they’re lonely.

Why the Smiles?

To bring the issue to life, we installed ‘forced smiles’ on statues across London - symbols of the silent pressure mums feel to “just get on with it.”

For generations, society has expected mums to carry on, often without acknowledging their emotional reality. But forced smiles don’t fix anything. They only make mums feel more alone.

As one mum told us, “I don’t feel myself and feel embarrassed to say I’m lonely. It wasn’t that people weren’t there - it’s that people just said, ‘Well, you’re pregnant,’ and moved on.”

What Loneliness Really Looks Like

Loneliness in motherhood isn’t just about being physically alone. It’s the emotional kind - the kind that sticks around even when you're surrounded by others (including your baby).

Mums described feeling unseen, lost, anxious, and ashamed. In fact:

• 75% said loneliness harmed their mental health

• 69% said it led to a loss of identity

• 63% said it knocked their confidence

• 43% said they’ve never told anyone how they feel

This isn’t okay. And it’s time for change.

Starting the Conversation

We believe that no mum should feel like she’s the only one struggling. When we asked what could have helped, 43% said simply talking about it would’ve made a difference. 56% said connecting with other mums would’ve helped too.

That’s what this campaign is all about: encouraging honest conversations, supporting each other, and saying goodbye to forced smiles for good.

You Deserve Support

If you’re feeling lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed, you are not alone.

There are communities (like Peanut) here to help you find connection, comfort, and support, as well as organisations like the MMHA, which has an incredible information centre for parents seeking mental health guidance and support.

Find support here

Let’s talk about loneliness. Let’s drop the forced smiles. Let’s be there for each other - because being honest about motherhood might be the most powerful thing we can do.