New parent stress factors

Night feeds, keeping on top of the dirty washing and other people judging your parenting techniques are among the most stressful things about becoming a new parent. Do you agree?

A poll of 2,000 mums and dads asked them to think back to a time when they were blessed with a new bundle of joy – and the struggles which came with it. A lack of sleep, leaving the newborn alone at any time and simply trying to cope with the huge change also appeared in the top 20.

What’s more, the average parent reckons it took nearly a year after their baby was born before they started to relax as a new parent. Do we ever really relax after having children? What do you think?

The research, commissioned by Uber Eats to celebrate the launch of a limited-edition parents menu, also saw finding time to go food shopping and eat a proper meal instead of snacking on the list.

Baby showers

Baby showers have swept in as the norm in recent years thanks to influences from the USA. Did you have a baby shower? I’ve been to them but never had one as I find them a bit odd in all honesty. I also find it a bit premature – giving birth can be far from straightforward and I’d rather wait until the baby was here safely and all was well before celebrating.

I’d much rather wait until a baby had arrived to send a gift too, but I know that many people love baby showers and get very into the games and the gifts and so on.

What’s your view? I’d love to know in a comment below.

Gifts for a newborn

If you are searching for the perfect gift to buy for a newborn, places like Kiddies Kingdom are a great starting point because they stock loads of practical items that would benefit a family with a new baby.

Whether it’s bedding essentials, a breastfeeding pillow, a cute toy for the car seat, a thermometer for the bath or some cute bath toys, you can find lots of things without resorting to buying more of what everyone else buys. I love practical gifts and I try my best to buy these things when choosing a gift for new parents. Things like these cute bath stack and pore buckets are great as they are great for hair washing as well as being fun to play with, even for older children.

The gift of time

Have you ever considered giving the gift of time to new parents? How would you have received this if it had been offered?

The same study mentioned above also found that learning to be flexible with plans and seeing family and friends are considered some of the most stressful things about becoming a new mum or dad.

More than three quarters expected more support from family and friends, including assistance with the cooking and cleaning, as well as taking on babysitting duties or just being good company. I have to say that this surprises me. I never expected help, but perhaps that was because it wasn’t possible due to my family being in another country. Having said that, I do think that parents have to learn to go it alone and to function without support, as so many don’t have it.

Eight in 10 of those polled, via OnePoll, felt overwhelmed in the first six months. A totally normal feeling after a huge change in circumstances!

A quarter said that they would have preferred help with meals, cleaning and food shopping after the baby’s arrival instead of everyone gathering for a baby shower. How do you feel about this? Actual practical help has got to be better than tons of flashy gifts surely?