'They say it takes a village to raise a baby. But my phone is eerily silent.'

We’re told it takes a village to raise a baby, but if you’re one of the first of your friends to have a baby, how does one find said 'village'? 

We’re warned about how lonely it is once the visitors stop coming and your partner goes back to work. In my case, I had my baby in the middle of the pandemic, so I didn't have visitors in the first place. And instead of getting countless messages throughout the day, my phone is eerily silent. 

We’re told to find 'mum friends' because they get it. We're told that your pre-baby friends will probably fall away. I always assumed that this stemmed from the mother’s side. I thought the mother would be too busy with the baby, or wouldn't feel up to it, or couldn’t relate to her friends anymore because she’d moved into a new life stage. In my experience, it came from the friends. It was complete radio silence.

"We’d love to meet him when you’re ready," they'd say. But I never heard from them again.

"I had my baby in the middle of the pandemic, so I didn't have visitors in the first place." Image: Supplied.

I tried to organise catch-ups, but they ended up being on the only weekend that everyone was busy - if they even engaged with the Facebook event at all. 

It left me wondering, where are the friends who showed up at my baby shower, gushing over me and offering to babysit? Was it only good in theory? How did I have enough friends to have two medium-sized baby showers, in two cities, before my son was born, but now most of them have not even met him?

There were no mothers' groups during the pandemic. I turned to new apps like Peanut where you can connect with other mums in your area (like Bumble for mums). You can match with people but, like many Bumble matches, many don’t message you or engage in any way.

If you’re lucky to be added to a mothers' group, it only takes a few months before people simply start ghosting. 

Watch: What you're like as a new mum, according to your star sign. Post continues below.

So, what do you do next? 

Remember the countless articles that asked how you make friends as an adult? Throw in a mini human who requires constant care and attention, and who is unpredictable. 

Now try to get out of the house looking somewhat okay - because looking decent is so far down the list of priorities - to go meet some new people who also have these mini humans and try to hold a conversation. 

I’m still searching to find my tribe. Don’t get me wrong, I have great friends. They just don’t live where I do so while they are simply a message away, they can’t come and help me out, or babysit, or meet up for coffee. 

To those who have left me behind, I am certain that there is no ill intent here. They probably just don’t think that I have the time to catch up. I must be tired or too busy or sleep-deprived or overwhelmed with visitors or tired. 

To be fair, I am tired, but I also spend my entire day talking to a seven-month-old whose conversation skills aren't great. 

I love my new role as a mum. But while my husband got to keep most of his friends, mine disappeared.

Feature image: Supplied. 

Want $50? Take our 10 minute survey for your chance to win.