You’re Not Alone: What Expectant Moms Are Really Feeling Right Now

You’ve read the books.

Built the registry.

Maybe even started folding newborn onesies.

And still… you’re not sure you’re ready.

Here’s the truth: You’re not alone.

According to a recent survey by Baby Dove, nearly 7 in 10 first-time, expectant moms (69%) say they don’t feel fully prepared for motherhood, even as they actively try to get ready.

That feeling? It’s normal. And you’re in good company.

In this article: 📝

Expecting the Unexpected

Let’s start with what’s real.

Preparing for a baby isn’t just about picking a name or setting up a nursery.

It’s an emotional, physical, and mental transformation, and no one hands you a manual.

That’s why so many moms-to-be are carrying a quiet sense of doubt.

What’s weighing on them most?

• Getting baby to sleep (62%)
• Feeding, whether breast or bottle (60%)
• Bathing baby safely (57%)

These are daily moments that can feel overwhelming without the right tools, support, and encouragement.

The takeaway? If you’re lying awake wondering how you’ll manage those first weeks, you’re absolutely not the only one.

What Moms Actually Want RN

When we asked expectant moms what would help them feel more ready, their answers were grounded:

60% want real talk from other moms

56% want a checklist of what to do and buy

55% want access to a new mom support group

This desire for connection is something we hear again and again in the Peanut community.

It’s about feeling seen. Feeling understood. Feeling less alone in the unknown.

The Missing Piece

More than half (62%) of moms surveyed say women don’t receive enough support during pregnancy and childbirth. And half don’t have any mom friends they feel comfortable turning to.

That loneliness matters.

But here’s the shift: More than a third (35%) are finding comfort in online communities and digital hubs that offer real, judgment-free support, where questions are welcome and no one expects perfection.

What You Can Do (and What You Don’t Have to)

Here’s what we want you to remember as you prepare for this next chapter:

You don’t have to feel ready to be ready.

You don’t need to know everything to be a good parent.

You do deserve products and people that support you.

Start small. Start here! Find one group or person you trust. Pick baby care that makes you feel confident, like gentle, dermatologist-tested options from Baby Dove, which is built on the gentle, superior care of a legacy brand moms have trusted for generations. And above all, let go of the pressure to do it all on your own.

This journey is yours, but it was never meant to be solo.

Explore the Peanut x Baby Dove Nested Hub for checklists, product recs, doula resources, and real talk from fellow parents. You’ve got this.

Visit the Hub 🥜