Think you know what life with a newborn will be like? These are the things parents say nobody warned them about

Nearly half of parents wish they'd been better prepared for newborn life, with late-night Google searches and unexpected nappy leaks among the biggest surprises.

A 9-day-old newborn is lying in his bed; his parents are looking at him with love.

Getty/Catherine Delahaye

Published: November 2, 2026 at 12:12 PM

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Bringing home a newborn is one of life's biggest milestones, but how prepared can you really be for what comes next? From trying to leave the house with everything you might possibly need to dealing with unexpected nappy leaks and Googling baby questions at 3am, there's plenty about early parenthood that no amount of antenatal classes can quite prepare you for.

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Now, new research has revealed just how much of a learning curve life with a newborn can be, with nearly half (47%) of parents admitting they wish they'd been better prepared for the everyday realities of having a baby.

The study, commissioned by babycare brand Rascals among 2,000 UK parents of children under five, also found that just 38% felt they'd received enough information before becoming a parent. And it's not necessarily the big milestones that catch parents out, but the surprisingly tricky everyday moments.

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The everyday realities of newborn life that catch parents by surprise

One of the biggest adjustments is simply getting out of the house. According to the research, parents said it takes them an extra 33 minutes to leave the house after having a baby, with wipes (31%), spare baby clothes (30%) and nappies (21%) among the things most commonly forgotten.

And even when you've managed to get everyone out of the door, things don't always go to plan.

Almost half (48%) of parents said they'd experienced a nappy leak while away from home, while 22% had been forced to cut an outing short because of one. A further 41% had dealt with a full 'poonami' while out and about.

It's perhaps little wonder that parents find themselves developing some impressive improvisation skills, from changing nappies in car boots and on park benches to learning how to eat an entire meal with just one hand.

New parents are turning to Google in the middle of the night

It's not just the practicalities that can take some getting used to. The research also highlights the emotional and social adjustments that come with welcoming a baby.

Two in five parents (40%) said they were surprised by how much their social life changed after having a baby, while nearly a third (31%) admitted cancelling plans because getting out of the house felt like too much effort.

Young mother holding her toddler boy while taking a baby stroller out of a car trunk in the parking lot.

Getty/urbazon

And when those inevitable questions start creeping in during the night, many parents are reaching for their phones.

A huge 92% said they'd searched online in the middle of the night for answers to baby-related questions. The most common searches included 'how to get my baby to sleep' (40%) and whether their baby's poo was normal (35%).

Despite the wealth of information available, 17% said they'd mainly learned about parenting through trial and error after their baby arrived.

Parents were most likely to turn to their own parents for advice (43%), followed by GPs, midwives and other medical professionals (33%). The first few days at home were identified as the time when advice was most needed.

Looking after a newborn can be overwhelming

NHS paediatrician and mum of one Dr Lillie Parker, who has partnered with Rascals on its Real Talk Takeover campaign, says it's often the everyday moments that parents feel least prepared for.

She said: "The first days and weeks at home with a newborn are very special but can also be overwhelming and unpredictable. 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."

The first days and weeks at home with a newborn are very special but can also be overwhelming and unpredictable.

NHS paediatrician and mum of one Dr Lillie Parke

Dr Parker hopes the campaign will help parents feel less alone when things don't go quite to plan.

She added: "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."

The research also found that parents face an average of seven nappy changes a day during the first three months, with an estimated 2,555 nappies used in their baby's first year. Add in an extra four loads of washing each week and it's easy to see why those early months can feel like a bit of a whirlwind.

Want some company during those long newborn nights?

Minah Shannon

If the thought of late-night Google searches, unsettled babies and wondering whether everyone else has parenting figured out sounds familiar, we've got something that might help.

MadeForMums has launched The Late-Night Parents Club, a brand-new podcast hosted by broadcaster, mum-of-one and former The Traitors contestant Minah Shannon.

Created especially for parents navigating those quiet, exhausting and sometimes lonely hours of early parenthood, the 16-episode series brings together parenting experts, familiar faces and honest real-life experiences.

Minah is joined by experts including NHS GP and broadcaster Dr Punam Krishan, midwife and bestselling author Marie-Louise, known as The Modern Midwife, and relationship expert Charlene Douglas. Each episode also features a voice note from a familiar face sharing their own parenting experiences.

It's designed to be watched or listened to without disturbing a sleeping baby, making it ideal company during night feeds or those moments when sleep feels a very long way away.

The Late-Night Parents Club has 16 episodes, with new episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday until 10 December. Whether you're a first-time parent or navigating newborn life all over again, it's a reminder that you don't have to have all the answers straight away.

Listen to the Late-Night Parents Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.

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