Becoming a mother is one of the most amazing experiences in the world, but it does have its downsides, as new research reveals.
Parenting on Female First
Missing out on lie-ins, having quality time with their partner interrupted and going out to restaurants were the main things that new mums missed.
Kirstie Allsopp, TV presenter and ambassador for P&G's Everyday Effect campaign, for which the survey was commissioned, said, “In the first few weeks after having your baby, you are mostly occupied with nothing else but your new born.
“But as you settle into a routine, it's easy to find yourself looking back to your life 'pre-baby' and thinking about the things that have changed.
“One of the biggest differences is the amount of sleep you get and the results seem to back this up with just being able to lie in bed for as long as you like the thing new mums miss the most.
“It's something so simple that is easily taken for granted before you have children, but once your baby is born, you would do anything for a bit of uninterrupted sleep and a relaxing few hours in bed.
“It's the little things which can often make the biggest difference, so someone offering to look after your baby for an hour or two so you can just doze in bed for a while is invaluable for many new mums.”
Being able to lie-in was voted the biggest thing that new mums missed, followed by some uninterrupted time with their partner.
Being spontaneous and changing plans last minute came in third place followed by uninterrupted social time with friends and being able to eat out.
Just over four in ten new mums said the first six weeks after the baby is born is a ‘whirlwind’ and nearly half said that although they were happy, they were utterly exhausted.
Only a tiny 15 per cent said that they felt in control and organised during the first few weeks with their new baby.
On average, new mums said it took them 10 and a half weeks to settle into their new role as a parent.
To make things easier in those first few weeks, new mums said they would rather have a friend offer help than buy them presents for the baby.
Psychologist and life coach, Linda Papadopoulos said, “Having a baby is one of the biggest life changes you can go through and means an adjustment in the way you think and behave.
“During major life events when life can sometimes seem chaotic, it is the little things that centre us - the everyday acts that ensure we feel on top of everything.
“Friends and family should ask what little thing would really help and it's important for new parents to accept these offers of help.
“Those little acts will help bring the calm amongst what can often feel like a storm.”
A quarter of mums said that the most useful thing someone did for them after the birth was to look after their new born whilst they caught up on some ‘me time’.
New mums were also grateful for friends and family offering to cook and clean so that they could spend as much time with their new born as possible.
Kirstie Allsopp added, “This really strikes a chord with me. Tidiness is my thing, and while others may want a food parcel delivered to them, for me, it was great if anyone unloaded the dishwasher, got the Flash out or put a load of washing on, as it meant I could spend more time cuddled up on the sofa with my new baby.
“They may seem like small things but they really do make a big difference. That's why P&G is celebrating the power of the Everyday Effect.”
Tagged in Parenting Mother Sleep Parenting News