It Doesn’t Always Take a Village: Pros and Cons of Online Mom Groups

Guest Blogger: Deanna Richmond, MD, South County Pediatrics, Webster, MA

As with many things in life, mom groups on social media have both an upside and a downside. On the positive side, these online communities are a great forum for moms to communicate with one another and get support on a wide range of everyday issues. Being a new or stay-at-home mom can be isolating so to virtually connect with a group of women who “get” you can be a real sanity-saver!

The downside, however, is that a lot of misinformation gets spread in these social media groups, especially when it comes to health matters. I say this not only as a pediatrician, but also as a mom and a member of several of these groups.

For example, I’ve seen a mom post a photo of her child’s rash and ask others what it is and what to do. Chances are, that mom is going to get a wide range of opinions and conflicting advice, none of which may be accurate.

I’m also aware of a situation where a mom was advised by another mom to give her infant goat’s milk instead of formula. This is extremely dangerous because it can lead to a life-threatening condition called megaloblastic anemia.

So, when is it appropriate to turn to other moms for guidance, and when should you rely on your doctor? Here’s my advice:

• If you’re looking for recommendations on over-the-counter products like lice shampoo, the best humidifier, or even the name of a pediatrician, other moms can be an excellent source of information to help you make a decision based on their real-life experiences.
• But if your child has symptoms like a fever, or vomiting and diarrhea, it’s always best to call your doctor, or your doctor’s office, for guidance. The nurses are available to field questions, and if they need more medical direction, they’ll ask the doctors on their team.
• Similarly, online groups are a valuable social outlet for moms where you can form playgroups, vent frustrations, talk about lack of sleep or share discipline problems you may be struggling with (Terrible Twos, anyone?).
• However, if your child shows signs of a serious behavioral issue like anxiety, ADHD or depression, always seek professional help as soon as possible.
• And even when your child isn’t ill and you have questions about vaccines, what medications to give your child or other health-related questions, it’s always best to seek your pediatrician’s advice

This underscores why it’s so important to have an established relationship with a pediatrician from the time your child is born. In fact, ideally, you’ll choose a pediatrician before your child is born so that this relationship is in place when your baby arrives.

And when you have a medical question, you know exactly who to call for an answer you can trust.