Listen: hidden struggles of life as a new parent

Becoming a parent is one of life’s biggest milestones, but it’s also one of the most emotionally challenging.

New research reveals a staggering three in four parents in the UK (76%) say they experienced mental health struggles during pregnancy or in the months after giving birth, with symptoms ranging from low mood and anxiety to feelings of isolation and hopelessness.

The survey by Aldi, which questioned more than 2,000 parents of children under five, found that more than half have suffered from low mood and irritability, while 45% say they felt lonely. A third reported hopelessness or anxious thoughts, and nearly a fifth (18%) struggled to bond with their baby.

Aston spoke to psychologist Dr Caroline Boyd.