10 Oct, 2025
New YouGov polling of 700+ UK parents of children aged 10 and under, commissioned by The For Baby’s Sake Trust, has uncovered the emotional turbulence of the first 1001 days – from pregnancy to a child's second birthday.
- Half of parents surveyed (50%) say they experienced a rise in mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm – translating to 61 % of Mums and 38% of Dads.
- 1 in 6 parents said that becoming a parent negatively affected their mental health or emotional wellbeing in the first 1001 days (16%). A further 30% of parents said becoming a parent affected their mental health both positively and negatively.
- Nearly 1 in 10 Dads said they turned to alcohol or substances more during the first 1001 days of their child’s life (8%).
- 1 in 3 parents overall reported more conflict in their relationship during the first 1001 days (34%).
This research, released on World Mental Health Day, also highlights a worrying gap in professional support for parents in the early years.
- Just 28% of Dads reported that a professional asked them about their mental health or emotional wellbeing during their baby’s first 1001 days, compared to 62% of Mums.
- 40% of Mums reported feeling supported by a professional during this time, compared with 19% of Dads.
- Nearly 1 in 10 parents overall said there was no support available to them (8%).
- Barriers to accessing support were common: nearly 1 in 5 parents didn’t know what support was available (19%), and 1 in 4 Mums feared being judged or blamed (24%).
“We are often asked why domestic abuse is so common in pregnancy. That’s why we commissioned this YouGov survey – to better understand what’s happening emotionally for new parents in the first 1001 days. What we found is a period of huge upheaval, rising conflict in relationships, and far too many parents being overlooked by professionals. We believe that if professionals routinely ask parents about their mental health, alongside the mandatory question to pregnant parents about domestic abuse, we can create earlier opportunities to intervene, reduce risks, and protect babies.”
Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of The For Baby’s Sake Trust
The data also indicates how these struggles can spill into family relationships. One in three parents reported increased conflict with their partner or co-parent in the first 1001 days, citing lack of sleep, financial pressures and loss of intimacy as key drivers. Although parental conflict and domestic abuse are not to be conflated, for some families, this conflict could have the potential to escalate into domestic abuse – a well-evidenced risk in pregnancy and the early years.
"This powerful new research shines a light on just how turbulent the first 1001 days can be for both Mums and Dads. It is deeply concerning that half of parents report a rise in mental health challenges during this time, yet so many, especially Dads, are overlooked by professionals. These findings underline why the For Baby’s Sake programme is so important. By addressing trauma, breaking cycles of abuse and supporting parents holistically, it is giving babies the safe, nurturing start in life they need and deserve. At the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, we are proud to support and champion work like this, which helps to highlight the importance of every baby experiencing the best start in life."
Rt Hon. Dame Andrea Leadsom DBE, Founder and Chair of Trustees of The 1001 Critical Days Foundation
Together, these findings show that the first 1001 days of parenting are emotionally and mentally demanding – yet professional support can be inconsistent, especially for Dads. “If we want to reduce risks like poor mental health and domestic abuse during this formative period,” continues Lauren Seager-Smith, “we must do more to ask the right questions and ensure both parents feel seen, safe and supported”.
"Perinatal mental illness is common, yet stigma, fear of judgment, and inconsistent care too often leave new and expectant parents to cope alone. At the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, we know that with the right support at the right time, recovery is possible. But this requires all professionals who work with families, including midwives, health visitors, GPs and beyond, to be adequately trained, to routinely ask about mental health, and ensure all who need it receive timely, compassionate care."
Karen Middleton, Head of Campaigns and Policy at the Maternal Mental Health Alliance
The For Baby’s Sake Trust is calling for all professionals who work with expectant and new parents – from midwives and health visitors to GPs and social workers – to embed routine questions about mental health and emotional wellbeing into their practice, ensuring both parents are supported during the first 1001 days.
"This new research shows that mums and dads experience huge emotional challenges during pregnancy and as parents in the early years – and yet dads are often overlooked. By not thinking about dad’s mental health and the impact this has, we miss a crucial opportunity to support families. All parents need to be seen and supported if babies are to grow up in safe, nurturing homes. That's why I'm proud to be an Ambassador for The For Baby’s Sake Trust, who are championing whole-family support and working with parents to break cycles of abuse for the sake of their babies."
Elliott Rae, Founder of Parenting Out Loud and Ambassador of The For Baby’s Sake Trust
This new research is released during The For Baby’s Sake Trust’s 10th anniversary year, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s journey. Over the past decade, the Trust has achieved transformative results by supporting thousands of parents to break intergenerational cycles of domestic abuse, creating brighter futures for their babies. However, much work remains to be done to address the pervasive impact of domestic abuse on babies and children. The Trust views this anniversary as an opportunity to both celebrate progress and share its goal for every family in the UK to have access to support to break cycles of domestic abuse and give their babies the best start in life. Learn more here.
