Facebook, Instagram oversharing of baby photos a depression risk for mothers

THEY’RE the bane of many a Facebook user, but those baby photos your friends are oversharing could mask a sad reality.

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NEW mums who are over-the-top baby braggarts are at higher risk of depression, ­scientists have revealed.

Bub bores addicted to posting endless toothless smile photos online and ­detailing every organic meal they have prepared are looking for affirmations that they are perfect parents with ­perfect kids.

But when they don’t get the positive feedback they are seeking, they can feel like failures, a new study shows.

Researchersund that of the working mothers surveyed, those who posted the most on Facebook reported more depressive onths of parenthood than other mums.

Those same mums reported stronger emotional reactions to feedback.

While the study does not suggest social media is harmful, it found it is not an effective platform to seek validation that they are good mothers.

The average new mother reported a slight increase in Facebook use since her baby was born and most had uploaded a photo within one week of the child’s birth.

The study found 98 per cent of mothers admitted posting photos of their newborns ­online.

Brisbane clinical psychologist Dr Judith Locke believes new mothers have enough stresses without worrying about feedback on social media.

Dominique Thatcher of Sunshine Beach with son Jasper James, three months, at Noosa. Pic: Lachie Millard

“Parents are often harshly judged and mums can be tired out and may misread comments or be annoyed if someone doesn’t reply immediately,” she said.

“If you are anxiously waiting and relying on replies then maybe it is time to back off from Facebook.”

Sunshine Beach mother Dominique Thatcher believes it is OK to be a proud mum, but not an endless braggart.

“Nobody wants to see (three-month-old son) Jasper’s every move posted online,” she said.

“I want to show photos to family and friends who don’t live near but am very careful with my use of social media.

“I don’t expose myself to judgment. I do think that there are mums who seek out validation but that is a ­slippery slope.”

Originally published as Facebook, Instagram oversharing of baby photos a depression risk for mothers