These are the things parents wish they knew sooner (Image: Getty Images)
Parents will change 2,555 nappies in their first year with their baby. A study of 2,000 mums and dads of children under five found 47% wished they had been better prepared for life with a newborn, while just 38% felt they had enough information before becoming a parent.
Most notably, the research found 39% of parents wished someone had told them the number of nappies they would get through before they started a family. Almost half (48%) had experienced a nappy leak while away from home, with 22% forced to cut an outing short because of one.
Parents spend an estimated £3,253 during their child’s first year, including more than £588 on nappies alone.
Parents go through over a 2000 nappies in the first year (Image: Getty Images)
Getting out of the house was one of the first challenges, as parents said it took them an extra 33 minutes to get out the door, and in the rush parents commonly forgot baby wipes (31%), spare baby clothes (30%) and nappies (21%).
Four in ten have had to deal with a toilet disaster while out and about, leaving them having to change nappies in places they never expected. This included cafes and pubs (42%), the boot of a car (39%) and even on a park bench (12%).
The research, commissioned by Rascals, the nappy and wipes brand behind the Real Talk Takeover, which aims to bring the practical, unfiltered realities of newborn life into the open and help parents feel more prepared for the moments traditional advice can overlook.
Dr Lillie Parker, who has partnered with the brand, said: “The first days and weeks at home with a newborn are very special but can also be overwhelming and unpredictable.
“Parents are often given some information about key topics like infant feeding and sleep, but far less about the everyday moments, such as how long it can take to leave the house, where they may end up changing a nappy or what to do when a leak strikes a long way from home.”
Nearly half have had to deal with a nappy disaster outside the home (Image: Getty Images)
According to the research, 92% of parents found themselves searching online in the middle of the night for answers to baby-related questions.The most common searches included “how to get my baby to sleep?” (40%) and whether their baby’s poo was normal (35%).
Despite the amount of information available, 17% said they mostly learned through trial and error once their baby arrived, according to the OnePoll research.
Parents trusted their own parents for advice most (43%), ahead of GPs, midwives or other medical professionals (33%) and their partner (20%).
The first few days at home were identified as the time parents needed advice most (27%), while establishing a routine that worked for their family and successfully leaving the house alone with their baby were among the milestones that helped build confidence.
Dr Lillie Parker, added: “Rascals understand that real life with a baby rarely goes exactly to plan. The Real Talk Takeover is about being honest about those moments and helping parents feel more prepared and less alone when they happen.
“Confidence as a parent takes time and often builds gradually as parents find the routines, products and practical solutions that work for their family.
“However, many parents will face the same struggles and knowing this can make those early days feel a little less daunting.
“By talking more openly about the realities of newborn life, we can hopefully help mums and dads feel supported and reassured that they are doing just fine.”
THE TOP 20 THINGS PARENTS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE HAVING A BABY:
- How difficult it can be to leave the house on time
- How quickly your phone camera roll would become mostly baby pictures
- How much your social life would change
- How many nappies you will get through
- How much washing there would be
- How messy nappy leaks and blowouts can be
- How much extra washing a baby creates
- How expensive the first year can be
- How often you would eat one-handed
- That silence from your baby can feel suspicious
- That you would learn to identify different cries like a baby detective
- You will end up changing nappies in awkward places, such as on public transport or in public toilets
- How repetitive the day-to-day routine can be
- How much time you would spend Googling baby-related questions
- How much advice you would receive from other people
- Having to change nappies in awkward places
- How much time you spend Googling baby-related questions
- That a tiny sock can disappear more often than your own keys
- How often you would leave the house with baby sick, milk or food on your clothes
- How hard it can be to get a wriggling baby dressed
