Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, may be feeling “totally alone and disconnected” from her loved ones as many new mothers do, and the criticism she has been facing may take a toll on her mental health, according to Angela Spencer, childcare expert and founder of Babyopathy. Ms Spencer explained how mothers may feel particularly fragile during their first months as mother. And Meghan is facing the pressure of being constantly under the public scrutiny, with social media users criticising her and the commentators and paparazzi reporting on her. 

Ms Spencer told Express.co.uk: “Any celebrity who has a baby is ultimately a new mum.

“No matter how much help they might have, they may also be feeling totally alone and disconnected from their family support network.

“Regardless of their status, every new mum needs support, help and advice, – they should certainly never be berated by the press.”

Meghan is also facing the pressure of being a perfect mother, with social media users highlighting what they believe she is doing wrong and comparing her to models they believe more fitting. 

Ms Spencer continued: “Many celebrities paint a picture of new motherhood on social media that is completely unrealistic, meaning that other mums may feel that they should be able to “keep up” with their peers.

“We never know every detail of a person’s life or what they have experienced or felt, and this goes for their birth experiences too.

“When the press, as in Meghan’s case, make comments about how someone is carrying their baby or how big their tummy is still or even that they are painting too much of a perfect picture, those words are likely to effect a new mother who is already in a fragile state post-birth. 

JUST IN: The hidden quirk NOBODY spotted during Meghan and Harry’s wedding

“Bullying is bullying whether it’s said to someone face to face or from behind a screen or a newspaper article.

“Maternal mental health wellbeing is at an all-time low, and suicide in new mums does happen!

“This is the scandal in my eyes, not whether someone is doing motherhood perfectly or not!”

Meghan has been harshly criticised by social media users, in particular on Twitter, over the way she was holding her now three-month-old baby boy Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor during a charity polo match. 

But Ms Spencer urged to be careful with criticism, as it could be dangerous and groundless.

She said: “Those who berate new mothers, and post mindless or bullying comments should be ashamed of their lack of empathy and compassion! 

“No one gives birth and is instantly aware of every piece of knowledge and information required to be a mum!

“Unfortunately, when it comes to Meghan Markle being vilified by the media for apparently holding her son Archie ‘wrongly’, no one knows exactly what was happening when those photos were taken.

“She could have been adjusting her grip, or the angle of the photo could have said something different than was actually happening, so for Meghan to be so criticised was really unfair. 

“We need to change the negativity surrounding maternal mental health and support all mums, celebrity or not, or we are just adding to an increasingly negative trend”.

The appeal for kindness comes at a time various members of the Royal Family, including Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, Duchess o Cambridge, are involved in initiatives to raise awareness about mental health issues.

In late July, Prince William launched Heads Up, a campaign aiming to change the conversation surrounding mental health which will last throughout the whole FA Cup.      

Source: Read Full Article