Welcoming a new baby into the world is an unforgettable experience for many, but it’s not all cuddles and cooing. A recent survey of 1,000 UK parents who’ve welcomed a little one in the last decade has revealed it comes with its fair share of surprises, challenges, and countless sleepless nights.
Although a whopping 75% of parents thought they were fully prepped for their baby’s arrival, the poll also uncovered the unforeseen expenses on necessities. The research showed that a surprising 71% of mums and dads were taken aback by the volume of stuff a newborn requires in those initial months.
According to the survey British parents go through an astonishing 5,238 baby wipes and 3,365 nappies during their baby’s first year, all while averaging a mere four hours of shut-eye per night.
The monthly costs for these new parents stack up too, with £178 spent on nappies, £205 splashed out on baby attire, and £56 wiped away on baby wipes.
On top of that, parents fork out an average of £60 each month on toys and books to support their child’s early development. However, generous friends, family, and colleagues, gifted an average of 13 presents to their new member of the family.
Despite seven in ten parents confessing that the first few months with their baby passed in a hazy whirlwind, they still managed to snap over 6,600 photographs – that’s more than 18 memories captured every single day.
A spokesperson for Asda, which commissioned the study to highlight its Baby Event which offers up to 50% off on key essentials until Sunday 11th May, said: “It’s amazing what you can get through in just one year.
“From baby wipes and nappies to breast pads and dummies – there is so much a new parent has to think about.”
The survey found that 75% of parents felt ready for their newborn’s arrival, with nappies (84%), baby wipes (80%), and dummies (38%) being the most essential items.
However, 13% of parents revealed that less obvious items like car seat cleaner, concealer, or hairspray were also lifesavers.
The spokesperson added: “It’s great to see so many parents were fully prepared for their new arrival.
“We know the list of what a new baby needs can feel endless (and expensive) so our focus through our Baby Event is to make sure parents have access to everything they need at prices which don’t break the bank.”
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