Half of New Parents Experience Unwanted Thoughts of Hurting Their Infants

Nearly all new birthing parents, 99%, report unwanted, intrusive thoughts of accidental harm to their newborn, and about half experience thoughts of intentional harm, such as dropping or stepping on their infant, according to the University of British Columbia’s Perinatal Anxiety Research Lab.

These thoughts, which often arise unexpectedly and feel distressing because they contrast with a parent’s values, are more common during stress and reflect what preoccupies the person. Parents typically worry whether such thoughts indicate risk, but studies show those reporting intentional harm thoughts are no more likely to act on them than those who do not.

Distinguishing these from harmful thoughts in postpartum psychosis is key: only 1, 2 in 1,000 birthing parents experience psychosis, and infanticide occurs in just 1, 4.5% of psychosis cases. In psychosis, harmful thoughts often tie to delusions or external voices, whereas intrusive postpartum thoughts are internal, distressing, and usually resisted.

Yet misinterpretation by clinicians and lack of public awareness can lead to unnecessary interventions, including child protective services involvement, causing significant distress. Educating both parents and health professionals is critical to ensure such thoughts are seen as normal, not dangerous.