Parents change an average of 2,555 nappies in their baby's first year, according to a study of 2,000 mums and dads of children under five. The research found 47% wished they had been better prepared for life with a newborn, while only 38% felt they had enough information before becoming a parent.
The study highlighted that 39% of parents wished someone had told them how many nappies they would use before starting a family. Nearly half (48%) had experienced a nappy leak while away from home, with 22% forced to cut an outing short because of one.
Costs and daily challenges
Parents spend an estimated £3,253 during their child's first year, including more than £588 on nappies alone. Getting out of the house was a major hurdle, with parents saying it took them an extra 33 minutes to leave, and in the rush they commonly forgot baby wipes (31%), spare baby clothes (30%) and nappies (21%).
Four in ten parents have dealt with a toilet disaster while out, leading to nappy changes in unexpected places. These included cafes and pubs (42%), the boot of a car (39%) and even on a park bench (12%).
Advice and information gaps
The research, commissioned by Rascals, the nappy and wipes brand behind the Real Talk Takeover, aims to bring the practical, unfiltered realities of newborn life into the open. Dr Lillie Parker, who 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.”
She added: “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.”
Online searches and trusted sources
According to the research, 92% of parents found themselves searching online in the middle of the night for baby-related answers. The most common searches included “how to get my baby to sleep?” (40%) and whether their baby's poo was normal (35%).
Despite the 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%).
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.”
Top 20 things parents wish they knew
The full list of things parents wish they knew before having a baby includes: 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, and how hard it can be to get a wriggling baby dressed.
