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06/11/2013

First-Time Mums Find The First Year 'Stressful'

The average first-time mother finds the first year of her baby's life "chaotic" and "stressful", it has been claimed.

New research, carried out by Nurofen for Children, focused on the challenges of becoming a parent, and it revealed that most mums found the first 12 months of their baby's life to be emotionally and physically draining.

Of the 2,000 women who took part in the study, a large percentage admitted that it was the more negative aspects of parenthood, such as sleepless nights and a feeling of bewilderment, actually outweighed the positive aspects.

It is only when the baby reaches the age of 11 months, are the more positive elements of motherhood found more strongly, as mothers are gaining more confidence in their role.

The report found that more than half of new mothers suffer a knock in confidence during their first year as a mum because they say they don't know what they are doing. Many also said they would have liked more help, or instructions, on how to cope with certain aspects of motherhood.

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For example, half said they wished someone could explain why babies cry, while 43% said they would have liked help on how to deal with sleepless nights. For one in three mothers, they admitted they are confused about treating their child's illness, with many unsure of the difference between illness and 'general grumpiness' in the first year.

Elsewhere, when asked what they missed most about their lives before they became mothers, 55% said their social life and 35% said work, while 51% wished they could have their old body back.

Dr McKenna, a spokeswoman for Nurofen for Children, is quoted in the Daily Mail as saying: "When it comes to health advice, only a quarter of mothers feel comfortable sharing advice with other mothers on knowing when to query things with a doctor, and even less feel comfortable advising how to recognise when a baby was ill, or when it's appropriate to administer medicines.

"I don't think I ever fully appreciated what it was like to have a sick child, until my own children fell ill.

"My advice would be not to go it alone, share your anxieties no matter how foolish they may seem and don't be scared to ask for advice.

"Consulting a healthcare professional who can help guide you through your child's illness will help to ease their pain and your concerns."

(JP/IT)

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"The average first-time mother finds the first year of her baby's life "chaotic" and "stressful", it has been claimed."