Can I just say, I think the concept of mom friends early on is a little overrated. When your babies come, they will all be on different schedules and it will be really difficult to meet up. And you think your new mom friends will be able to sympathize with your issues, but you will probably all have totally different issues - your baby is a crappy sleeper, your friend's baby is a great sleeper. You have an easy time breastfeeding, your friend can't breastfeed. You might have totally different philosophies/lifestyles re: babies. Etc. I often actually felt MORE alone have talking to my "mom friends." There will probably also be a slightly competitive vibe among your new mom friend group that can be not the healthiest.

I also didn't like having "mom friends" early on because I felt really pressured to always leave the house and meet up with my mom friends, when what I really want to do was just sit at home and rest with my new baby.

Another thing is that a lot of new moms have mental health issues - PPD, PPA - and I think it's weird that we expect all these new moms to "support" these serious mental health issues during one of the most stressful times of their lives. You will probably either have PPD/PPA and trying to get "support" from your friend who has a NEWBORN, OR your friend will have PPD/PPA and you'll feel guilty because you're trying to take care of a baby while also supporting your new friend who has a mental health issue. It's all so dumb to me.

I say, keep your old friends, the ones who already know you best. Do you have any friends who already have kids? Just keep up a good texting relationship with them.

The only time I think you really need "mom friends" is when you're a SAHM and need to make playdates when your kids are toddlers.

Local Email List, Neighborhood FB group, or nextdoor.

Anonymous wrote:Any recommendations for groups in the Hyattsville, Riverdale, College Park area?

Thank you!

Route 1 Moms on FB.

I think there is probably a Hyattsville specific one at least.

Any suggestions for cathedral Heights / glover park area?

Any recommendations for groups in the Hyattsville, Riverdale, College Park area?

Thank you!

We met some friends during a series of birthing classes we took. We were all due within a week of each other and we kept up for a long time after the kids were born. I would assume it's different now with COVID but it might be a place to connect with a few people prior to giving birth.

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but is there a new moms group for country club hills?

Join MONA.

Circle Yoga in Chevy Chase DC also has virtual Prenatal Yoga and Elizabeth Hubley, who teaches the Thursday night classes, runs virtual pregnancy support and new mom groups through Siena Wellness. Those groups often include a fair contingent of Bethesda people.

Not OP but is there a new moms group for country club hills?

All of the above and stressing the fb groups. I’m part of a neighborhood group on there and someone posted about ‘new moms’ - suddenly a group of 8 of us are meeting in the park. Also, I initially made a post enquiring in nextdoor if there are any new mums and found a few through there

PACE has virtual groups but $$$

The Breastfeeding Center has several free support groups. You don’t have to be breastfeeding to participate in some of them.

My local yoga studio (Past Tense in Mt Pleasant) has virtual prenatal yoga that includes “community building” time. You might have a local studio with similar set up?

Anonymous wrote:Either find a local group that organizes via FB, or as you get closer to your due date, post on your local listserve to see if there are other soon to be moms in your area.

Seconding finding local Facebook groups. There’s one in my neighborhood, they’ve been meeting for socially distanced park dates.

Either find a local group that organizes via FB, or as you get closer to your due date, post on your local listserve to see if there are other soon to be moms in your area.

Have you heard of Peanut? It’s like a dating app for finding mom friends. Congratulations!

This is my first pregnancy (I’m 10 weeks along) and am relatively new to the area (Bethesda). Are there places to meet new moms in the area during the COViD era? Thinking virtual or outdoor classes. Was looking forward to that part of pregnancy after getting past the first trimester but obviously know my fellow new moms like me will be looking for activities that are virtual or at least socially distinct. Thanks in advance!