Making mom friends in three easy steps

Published on: babycenter.com

You may be thinking: Friends? I already have a lot of friends! But a new-mommy friend is different.

We're talking about someone who's living through the same sleep, feeding, and development issues you're facing with your new baby. Someone who's happy to talk about poop, breast milk, and spit-up. Someone who won't mind — or notice — that you're wearing the same sweats you wore yesterday and the day before.

These are the best kind of mommy friends, and their camaraderie will help you more than you can imagine. But forming new friendships isn't always easy, and approaching new moms can feel as awkward as a first date. Here are some tips for making the process easier.

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Step 1: Locate other new moms

Your ideal, like-minded mommy friend is out there somewhere. But she's probably not going to show up in your living room. So lose the bathrobe, grab your baby, and go find her.

Playgrounds and library story-time sessions are great places to meet other moms.

"I usually start with playgrounds and play areas at restaurants," says Rollie Sampson, a military spouse who has moved a lot. "It's always a challenge — not only making new friends, but finding them!" she says.

You can also sign up for mom-and-baby classes, such as yoga, swimming, or music, or find a mothers' group in your area. Many neighborhoods and towns have their own mothers' clubs, and local organizations like churches and synagogues often do too.

"I joined a mothers' group that resulted from a new-baby class led by the county nurse. We still meet twice monthly, 22 years later!" says Linda Carlson.

Another good spot for mommy-hunting is the gym, where you can exercise and meet potential friends in one fell swoop.

"I've met many moms walking from class to the childcare area," says Caren Cohen. "It's natural to gravitate from there to coffee or lunch."

You might just meet your new mommy friend while you're doing errands, taking your baby on a walk, or even waiting in the pediatrician's office. So aim to get out of the house at least once a day, and keep your eyes out for chances to make a connection.

When Jessica Barton took her 6-week-old to the mall, she didn't expect to stumble upon a friendship. But she happened to see another new mom sitting on a bench.

"She was fumbling with a bottle while her baby screamed. My son was working himself into a major 'I'm hungry' tantrum as well, so I looked at her and said, 'Is this seat taken?' We fed our boys and started sharing the details of their births," says Barton.

By the end of the conversation, Barton's new friend had invited her to a playgroup. The two moms are still buddies four years later.

While nothing beats face-to-face interaction, many moms find online social networking to be a wonderful tool for getting in touch with old friends and making new ones. If you haven't already, create a profile onBabyCenter's Community put the call out to moms in your area.