In today’s digital age, where information is available at the tip of your fingers, one would expect that new mothers in the UAE would turn to the wealth of online resources for advice on raising their babies. From parenting apps and forums to professional support groups, there’s an abundance of digital tools to help parents navigate the complexities of new motherhood. However, a recent survey reveals an interesting trend: Seven out of ten mothers in the UAE still rely primarily on their family members, especially their own mothers, for baby care advice, rather than trusting the growing number of digital resources at their disposal.
The research, titled ‘Sources of Trust in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait,’ surveyed new mothers across the GCC and found that 71% of UAE mothers lean on family advice during their child’s early years, despite the rise of parenting apps, online support groups, and easier access to professionals. This reliance on family offers a deeper insight into the emotional and cultural factors that influence parenting choices in the UAE, suggesting that the comfort, trust, and emotional support that family offers cannot easily be replaced by modern technology.
The Comfort of Family-Based Parenting Advice
While the internet offers endless resources, from step-by-step guides on everything from feeding schedules to sleep training techniques, many new mothers in the UAE feel that their family’s advice is irreplaceable. The familiarity, comfort, and personal experience offered by family members provide new mothers with a sense of reassurance and grounding during the early, often overwhelming, days of parenthood.
Dubai resident Amal Hurieh is a perfect example of this trend. Amal, who is a new mother, says that despite having access to a wealth of online advice, she chooses to rely on her mother’s wisdom, which has been passed down through generations. “My mother is staying with me during these first few months, and her presence is a blessing,” she says. “Even though I have access to all kinds of online advice, nothing compares to the comfort of her words and experience.”
For Amal, her mother’s guidance has been a vital source of reassurance. Even when Amal faced common challenges like trying to get her baby to sleep, it was her mother’s hands-on approach that worked the best. “I was feeling overwhelmed, trying everything I had read about online, but nothing seemed to work. My mother simply took the baby in her arms, hummed a soft lullaby, and gently rocked her to sleep,” she recalls. Amal’s mother’s soothing presence made all the difference, proving that sometimes the best parenting advice isn’t found in an app or blog post, but in the loving arms of a mother.
This reliance on family is reflected in the survey, which found that 30% of new mothers in the UAE face “conflicting advice” from different sources. With so many parenting methods available online, mothers can often feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. For many, the solution is simple: trust the tried-and-true advice passed down through family.
The Pressure of Conflicting Information
The internet is often seen as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides instant access to a vast array of parenting information; on the other, it can lead to confusion and information overload. Parents are often bombarded with conflicting advice, ranging from sleep techniques to feeding schedules, and this can be a source of stress for new mothers who are already navigating the complexities of motherhood.
Amal’s experience with conflicting advice is a common one. “The information I found online was overwhelming,” she admits. “Some sources said one thing, while others said something completely different. It felt like I had too many choices and didn’t know what to follow.”
In this digital age, mothers can easily become bogged down by online advice, especially when it contradicts their instincts or makes them feel inadequate. The research shows that 30% of UAE mothers experience this issue, and many choose to rely on family because of the comfort and consistency it provides.
“It’s not about following a trend or a new method—it’s about trusting your instincts,” Amal says. For her, the confidence she gained from her mother’s advice helped her trust her own judgment as a parent.
Emotional and Mental Relief From Family Support
The emotional and mental toll of new motherhood can be immense. Sleepless nights, feeding struggles, and the constant need for reassurance can leave mothers feeling isolated and overwhelmed. This is where family support becomes invaluable. Not only does family offer practical advice, but it also provides emotional relief that can make all the difference during the most difficult moments.
Zoya Chhabra, a new mother from Abu Dhabi, turned to her mother for support during a challenging time when she struggled with breastfeeding. “For the first three to four months, I struggled to produce milk, and I would wake up several times at night to express whatever I could,” she recalls. “The guilt of not being able to breastfeed was overwhelming.”
While the internet often pushes breastfeeding as the ideal method, Zoya found herself feeling inadequate when her body wasn’t producing enough milk. In a moment of vulnerability, it was her mother’s support that helped her feel reassured. “My mother reassured me that formula feeding is just as good and that I wasn’t alone in facing this challenge,” she says. “Her support gave me immense mental relief when I was going through what felt like a nightmare.”
Zoya’s mother encouraged her to prioritize her own health, reassuring her that many mothers face similar challenges. “She said many mothers face similar struggles and encouraged me to relax and prioritize my health. She also emphasized the importance of getting enough sleep to ensure I could take care of my child properly,” Zoya explains.
In this moment, Zoya realized that sometimes the best advice doesn’t come from the most popular internet post or professional expert—it comes from the person who knows you best and is there to offer unconditional support.
Reassurance Through Traditional Practices
For some mothers, family influence goes beyond emotional support—it extends to cultural and traditional practices that are passed down from generation to generation. Many new mothers in the UAE find comfort in following the same practices that their own mothers used when raising them. For Felizze Faye Flores-Navarro, a Filipino expat in the UAE, this connection to tradition is an important part of her parenting journey.
“My mother came to stay with me three months after my child was born, offering immense support and guidance,” Felizze says. Despite reading various opinions online about how often to hold her baby, she chose to follow the practices that her mother had taught her. “I cherish holding my baby often, just like my mother did for me. I still rock my baby to sleep in the same comforting way my mother did for me, following time-honored practices.”
Felizze’s family’s influence has shaped her parenting choices in various ways, from how she holds and comforts her child to the foods she prepares for them. While some modern parents may be hesitant to use oils on their baby’s skin, Felizze continues to follow her mother’s advice, using oils on her child to keep the skin soft and healthy.
“I never relied on store-bought baby food; I prefer to make fresh, homemade meals, just as my mother taught me,” she says. “Coming from Nueva Ecija in the Philippines, which is known for its bountiful vegetables, my mum taught me to appreciate fresh, healthy eating. I strive to pass this same value on to my children.”
In Felizze’s case, her mother’s advice helps her maintain a connection to her cultural roots, and she finds solace in carrying on those traditions with her own children. It is clear that family guidance extends far beyond just practical advice—it helps shape the parenting experience, grounding it in cultural values and family history.
A Global Trend: Family Advice Over Digital Resources
The reliance on family for parenting advice is not unique to the UAE. Across the world, many mothers continue to seek out the comfort and support of their families rather than relying on digital resources. In cultures where family bonds are particularly strong, such as in the GCC, the wisdom passed down through generations holds immense value. While digital resources may continue to grow, the emotional and cultural connections fostered by family remain irreplaceable.
The Future of Parenting in the UAE
As technology continues to advance and digital tools offer increasing support for parents, the role of family advice remains central to many new mothers’ journeys. Digital resources like parenting apps, blogs, and online communities will continue to play a significant role, but it’s clear that family support remains the most trusted and valued resource.
For new mothers in the UAE, family is more than just a source of advice—it is a pillar of emotional support, reassurance, and cultural continuity. As society continues to evolve, it is likely that the blend of modern digital resources and traditional family-based advice will shape the future of parenting in the UAE and beyond.
Conclusion: Family Advice Remains at the Core of Parenting
In a world flooded with information, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by conflicting advice. However, as this research highlights, new mothers in the UAE continue to turn to their families as the most trusted source of parenting guidance. The wisdom passed down through generations offers comfort, reassurance, and a sense of connection that no online article or parenting app can provide. In the end, family remains the heart of parenting, where love, support, and understanding go a long way in shaping the experience of raising a child.
