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Just 3% of parents trust their parenting instincts, and the reason why will sound familiar

Just 3% of parents trust their parenting instincts, and the reason why will sound familiar

New research reveals how information overload and pressure to get parenting right are leaving mums and dads struggling with confidence.

Close up portrait of a young multiracial mother holding her new born baby girl.

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MadeForMums

Published: October 20, 2026 at 5:20 PM

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Having a baby comes with a steep learning curve, with many new parents turning to the internet for help. However, new research suggests that having more parenting advice at our fingertips isn't necessarily making life easier for mums and dads.

According to a new survey of 1,000 UK parents, just 3% say they trust their own parenting instincts, while only 5% feel able to stay calm when their baby cries. The findings, released this National Parenting Week (19th-23rd October 2026), highlight the confidence gap facing parents who are navigating an overwhelming amount of advice alongside the pressure to get everything right.

The research, commissioned by baby care brand MAM and conducted by Opinion Matters, suggests that information overload could be contributing to anxiety during the early stages of family life. The survey was conducted by Opinion Matters between 18 and 22 September 2026 among 1,000 UK adults who had become parents within the previous 10 years.

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Nearly half of parents struggle to settle their baby

Despite the growing availability of parenting information online, many parents say they still find it difficult to work out what their baby needs.

79% say there is more parenting information available than ever before.
76% believe there is more pressure on parents today to do everything right.
46% say they don't know how to settle their baby.
49% expected comforting their baby to be easier than they found it.
Just 3% say they trust their own parenting instincts.
Only 5% say they can stay calm when their baby cries.

The findings suggest that access to more advice does not automatically translate into greater confidence. For parents already adjusting to life with a newborn, the challenge can be knowing which guidance to follow and feeling reassured that they are doing the right thing.

Parents worry about taking their baby out

The research also highlights how concerns about an unsettled baby can affect everyday activities, with some parents worrying about situations that might otherwise be a welcome change of scenery.

43% worry about their baby becoming unsettled in a café or restaurant.
36% worry about their baby crying or becoming unsettled while shopping.
30% worry about this happening during car journeys.
29% worry about their first solo trip out with their baby.
22% worry about their baby becoming unsettled on a plane.
21% worry about this happening during a doctor's appointment.

These concerns can make the prospect of leaving the house feel daunting, particularly for new parents who are still getting to know their baby's cues and routines.

Having access to more advice doesn’t necessarily make parents feel more confident. In some cases, it can leave them questioning every decision they make.

Damian Butler, managing director of MAM UK

Damian Butler, managing director of MAM UK, said: “These findings highlight a real confidence gap for today’s parents. We have more parenting information at our fingertips than ever before, but having access to more advice doesn’t necessarily make parents feel more confident. In some cases, it can leave them questioning every decision they make.”

Why some parents find it hard to ask for help

The survey also found that parents can feel under pressure to be the person who knows how to soothe their baby best, making it harder to take a break or hand over to someone else.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of parents said their baby only settles, or settles best, with them. Meanwhile, 29% said they did not feel comfortable leaving their baby with another caregiver, and 27% wished someone else could soothe their baby as effectively so they could take a break from time to time.

Clare O’Brian, a midwife who was involved in trialling a new baby-soothing device, said parents should not interpret crying as a sign that they are doing something wrong.

“Crying is one of the most challenging parts of those early weeks and months, and it’s completely understandable that parents may feel overwhelmed if they can’t immediately settle their baby. The important thing to remember is that a baby crying doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong,” she said.

“Sometimes babies simply need time, patience and comfort, and it’s okay to ask someone else to take over so you can have a breather. Parents don’t need to be perfect, they need support, reassurance and the confidence to know that they are getting to know their baby, one day at a time.”

Parents don’t need to be perfect, they need support, reassurance and the confidence to know that they are getting to know their baby, one day at a time.

Clare O’Brian, midwife

What can help when a baby is crying?

There is no single way to settle every baby, and what works can change as they grow. Familiar soothing techniques include cuddling, feeding, gentle rocking and skin-to-skin contact, depending on the baby's needs and circumstances.

The research has been released alongside the launch of MAM Pulsi, a new baby-soothing device designed to recreate the distinctive pulsation of the umbilical cord. The rechargeable device is intended to be used alongside established soothing routines, rather than replace them.

According to MAM, its development programme involved 312 babies across two studies. Fifteen medical experts tested the device with 240 babies in six countries, while a further 72 families used it at home for two weeks. The company says 93.3% of the medical experts involved said the device calmed babies and that they would recommend it.

These are findings reported by the manufacturer, and they do not mean the device will work for every baby.

For parents feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, the wider message from the research is that struggling to settle a baby is not unusual, and asking for support is not a sign of failure.

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