Skip to main content

Our favorite Facebook groups for expecting parents

Welcome to parenthood! Regardless of whether you are in the first few months of pregnancy or are knee-deep in diapers and toddler sass, one thing is for sure: You are going to have a lot of questions. It takes a village, but sometimes the people you typically turn to won’t be there to help or offer guidance. That’s why you’re going to want a virtual community, too. Facebook has a plethora of “expecting parent” groups you can join for common inquiries, words of wisdom, or a figurative pat on the back. Here are the best Facebook groups for new moms and dads to explore as you navigate this uncharted territory.

pregnant woman on computer
PH888 / Shutterstock

Mom Life!

Created and moderated by Instagram’s Eva Chen, the Mom Life! group page features must-have products, tips, hacks, and more helpful tidbits for brand-new moms. Chen herself describes it as “half support group” and a “happy place” for moms to sit back, relax, and hang out.

Recommended Videos

Mama Said

A product of the Mama Said podcast, created by actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler and her friend Jenna Paris, this small group is a place to air your embarrassing pregnancy moments, confess your parenting truths, and yes, ask questions about day care hunting versus nanny scouring. It’s a great group to find support, empathy, and have a giggle.

Milky Mama Lactation Support Group

If you plan on nursing or are currently breastfeeding, you will want to join this community of 30.8K moms ASAP. Not only will you get support in your challenging journey, you can read through evidence-backed facts to help guide you on the path to breastfeeding success. Lactation specialists will help you with everything from latching issues to supply problems.

Formula Feeding Mommies Group

Planning to bottle feed with formula? No judgment, and no shame in that game! Breastfeeding and supplementing? That works, too! You can get tips on types of formula, bottle options, eating schedules, and more in this group with 21.2K mama members. The admins are committed to a shame-proof environment where your parenting decisions are respected with kind words and open minds.

Baby Bump Community: A First Time Pregnancy Support Group

Those expecting mamas who are preparing for their first will benefit from joining this women-only safe-space group that seeks to spread awareness of health considerations through factual information and to support women during their challenging nine-month journey.

First Time Fathers

One of the best Facebook groups for new dads? It’s First Time Fathers, a supportive Facebook group of dads who lean on each other through the ebbs and flows of fatherhood. The biggest rule on the page: “Respect your fellow dads.”

LGBTQ+ Parents and Families

Every parenting journey is unique. As an LGBTQ+ parent, this group, hosted by the nonprofit Family Equality for LGTBQ+ families and LGBTQ+ people, will help you find advice, share joys, or air some grievances in a safe and inclusive place.

Intended Parents Through Surrogacy

Whatever the reason for choosing (or considering) surrogacy as a means to parenthood, it can be a difficult and isolating time. This group will offer support, empathy, and connection with other “Intended Parents” and those who have been on the same bumpy road. Note that this group is not a matching service nor is it open to surrogates.

Adoptive Parents Support Group

This group is for current and prospective adoptive parents. It offers a safe place to express concerns, share stories, and get words of wisdom from a “friend” who has been in your shoes.

Becoming a new mom or dad is an exciting and nerve-racking time. Having a virtual community to turn to with questions and concerns, or, heck, for a good old venting session will help you throughout these turbulent nine months — and beyond! Social media can get a bad rap, but these groups are all about parents supporting parents. And we could all use the occasional thumbs-up, the sporadic “you’ve got this” emoji, or a kind word of encouragement from another mom or dad.

Nate Swanner
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nate is General Manager for all not-Digital-Trends properties at DTMG, including The Manual, Digital Trends en Espanol…
6 quick meal ideas for pregnant women that are still healthy
Healthy recipes perfect for pregnancy
Pregnant woman with fruit and orange juice.

Pregnancy takes a toll on the body. Not only are you tired, but you are super nauseated, your feet hurt, your back aches, and man, are you hungry! When you're pregnant, the last thing you may feel like doing is cooking. Moreover, while your tummy could be audibly rumbling (and you know you need to eat food), the smell of certain ingredients may leave you feeling less than eager or excited.
What's a ravenous soon-to-be mama to do? You know, besides ordering takeout for the millionth day in a row. Time to motivate. No need to rely on pizza again; we've got you covered in the kitchen. We're sharing six healthy pregnancy recipes that will take 30 minutes or less to prepare. They're simple, they're healthy, and they'll keep you satisfied -- so you can get back to putting up those sore feet and resting your heavy eyes.
Why nutrition is so important

We all know that it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet at all times, especially during pregnancy, but many people don't know why it's so important. Not only does eating healthy during pregnancy help your baby grow and develop in utero, but it also helps you have a healthy pregnancy and reduces the risks of such complications as gestational diabetes, preterm birth, obesity-related complications, and in some situations preeclampsia and high blood pressure. Eating healthy can be difficult for those who don't love to cook and are accustomed to ordering in or dining out, but we try to make it as easy and uncomplicated as possible with these recipe ideas.
Go with garlic-lemon salmon

Read more
Home birth: What you need to know about the benefits and risks
Here are some things to learn about before making this choice
Pregnant couple sitting on the couch with a monitor.

All pregnant women have a picture in their head of their ideal birth. The type of pain relief or lack thereof, the music and ambiance, and the time leading up to the birth have all been thought through dozens of times by the mom. With more women wanting to have more control and power over their bodies, home births are on the rise as a favored labor option. While every pregnant person should check with their doctor to see if they are a great candidate for a home birth, here are the pros and cons to know before your due date.
Home birth benefits

People want a home birth for all of the benefits it offers the family. Here are perks that may attract you to this type of birth.
You will be in a comfortable surrounding
Being in your home or other safe space instead of the hospital is more relaxing for the mother. Even if you have visited the hospital a few times during the pregnancy — nothing beats being at home.
The mother will have more control
A mom's home is her castle, and she runs it well. A mother giving birth at home feels empowered to have more control over everything from the birthing position to sounds to using any aids like oils or candles to make it more comfortable.
There's room for a support system
Since COVID, the number of people allowed in the birthing room has been lowered, and in some cases, hasn't gone back up from just one additional person in the room. A home birth allows for as many (or as few) people as you want to be there for it.
Family can be included
Hospitals usually don't allow siblings in the birth space. We get it. A home birth lets siblings be a part of the process as much as the mother wants, which could be a special bonding time for the kids.
Recovery starts immediately and is usually easier
There's nothing that drives a woman who has just given birth to insanity than waiting for those discharge papers. With a home birth, you are already home and can immediately start healing.
Other perks for a home birth

Read more
6 sleep training methods that all new parents should know
Sleep training methods when you have a new baby in the house
Infant boy sleeping on bed.

Even if you think you're ready for a newborn to take over your life, nothing prepares you for the lack of sleep and trying to establish a sleep routine. After a few restless nights, parents will try anything to get their little bundle of joy to realize how lovely sleep is. If you need a hand putting your baby down to bed at night, here are the sleep training methods all parents need to know.
The more extreme sleep training methods

These are a little more on the controversial side, but they are recognized sleep training methods.
Cry-it-out method
One of the most controversial sleep training methods is the cry-it-out method, which might be the hardest on parents. You put your child to bed as you normally would and do not, for any reason, go back into their room. If your child still takes a night feeding, you feed the baby and get right back out of the room. Experts don't even agree about if and when it's OK to go in and comfort the baby.
Chair method
The chair method is also a little controversial because it is like the cry-it-out method, except the parent is sitting in the room. You put a chair next to the crib and sit in it to comfort the baby. Once your little one is asleep, you leave. If the baby starts to cry or wakes up, you go to the chair while they fall back asleep. Each night, you move the chair a little further away from the crib. You don't pick the baby up, pat them, or do anything to soothe them but sit in the room with them.
Fading methods

Read more