According to recent research by Asda Little Angels, it takes mums and dads an average of 9.7 months to feel ‘normal’ again after having a baby- longer than the actual pregnancy! Here are just some of the things you may recognise if you’re finally passed the sleepless nights and erratic schedule.
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You are sleeping more- After weeks of existing on just a few hours each night- if that- you are starting to get larger blocks of rest without being disturbed and you wonder how you ever coped on so little.
You are doing more of the things you love- You finally have the time and the energy to return to the things that light you up- like reading, writing, cooking, watching movies- all the stuff you once took for granted.
You have more time for each other- Now your baby is less demanding, you can spend more time on being a couple rather than just parents and you begin to be intimate again.
You are starting to make plans- Your priorities over the last few months have been basic- all you cared about was looking after your baby and getting some rest. Once you are sleeping more soundly you feel in a much better position to look ahead and put some things in the diary.
You can watch something all the way through- Your baby now sleeps for longer periods, meaning you can finish a movie or an episode of something without interruption.
You have a routine- You may have tried and failed to establish a routine early on- but now you know what time to feed, clothe, bathe and put your baby down for naps and sleep with military precision, which means you also know when you have some time for yourself and your partner.
You start to feel like a family- Once you can do things together rather than in shifts to give each other a break- something changes, and you start to feel less lonely and enjoy your time as a unit rather than a tag team.
To celebrate all the thrills and spills of parenthood, Asda Little Angels has launched a new podcast series – Nappy Natters. Hosted by parents who have been through it all, the show gives an honest insight into the whirlwind of emotions experienced during bump, birth and beyond.
Anna Plester, Category Planning Manager for Asda Little Angels, commented: “We want mums and dads to know they’re not the only people experiencing the imperfections of parenthood. For 81% of new parents, sharing the ups and downs with other mums and dads makes them feel ‘normal’. We hope that Nappy Natters provides the encouragement and comfort of knowing that they’re not in this crazy journey alone – we’re with them every step of the way.”
The first episode of Nappy Natters, the three-part podcast series, is available to download from iTunes and Acast now
Acast ASDA Little Angels – Nappy Natters
iTunes ASDA Little Angels – Nappy Natters