Expectations Vs. Reality

When you were waiting for your little one’s arrival, perhaps you had preconceived notions about what being a mom would be like. You read all the books and parenting blogs. Maybe you felt as ready, equipped, and confident as anyone entering this exciting life chapter. In fact, 60% of our moms surveyed said they were “somewhat prepared” or “very prepared” for the realities of having a baby.”

As it turns out, however, many new parents may not have been quite as prepared as they believed. 61%% of respondents said their perception of parenting has changed to become “somewhat harder than expected” or “much harder than expected.

Sleep? What’s That?

What were some of the most prevalent challenges? Perhaps unsurprisingly, “lack of sleep” topped the list, with 29% of new moms citing it as their biggest challenge. While newborns sleep up to 17 hours a day, they often wake every two or three hours for feeding, and even more often if they need a fresh diaper or soothing. These round-the-clock demands can take a toll on even the most prepared new parents. 

The constant exhaustion of adjusting to a new routine can impact one’s emotional well-being, which might explain why “emotional stress” came in a close second on the list of challenges (26%). More than 35% of respondents rated their mental health since becoming a new mom “fair," with 14% rating it “poor,” and almost 9% answered “very poor.”

Feeding and Routine Challenges

Every day, your baby is changing in amazing ways. One week, your newborn's tiny hand is gripping your finger; the next, they could be holding up their head and giving you heart-melting smiles. The important nutrients they receive from breast milk or formula support all that growth and development. 

While most new moms (66%) reported feeling “very confident” or “somewhat confident” that they understand their baby's nutritional needs, 78% said they experienced difficulties with their baby’s feeding routine, with  difficulties establishing a consistent feeding routine, (28% “frequently” and 50% “occasionally”). The reasons behind the challenges were not specified, but could include factors such as difficulty recognizing hunger cues, feeding changes during growth spurts, or schedule-disrupting events like doctor’s appointments, or hosting visitors. 

As for challenges related to feeding methods, only 18% of moms reported having “no challenges encountered with breastfeeding or bottle feeding.”  The most commonly reported challenge reported by 48% of moms was “pain or discomfort.” This was followed by “low milk supply” (43%) and the “baby’s preference for bottle/breast” (40%). These are common factors that can interfere with a consistent feeding routine—and increase stress for mom.

The Work-Life Imbalance

Transitioning from maternity leave to work outside the home is also a significant challenge for our survey respondents. 

Over 70% find balancing “work responsibilities with parenting” “moderately challenging” (23%), “very challenging” (29%), and “extremely challenging” (20%). 29% of respondents reported feeling “somewhat dissatisfied” (18%) or “very dissatisfied” (11%)  with their current work-life balance. Although not explicitly mentioned in the responses, potential contributing factors could include feeding adjustments, limited workplace flexibility, childcare issues, or the emotional strain of being separated from their baby. Whatever the reasons, it’s apparent that most new moms find juggling work and motherhood can be tough to navigate.

It Takes A Village

How are new moms handling all these challenges? Many respondents turn  to their trusted circles for support. 43% say they turn to “family” the most since becoming a new mom, followed by healthcare professionals (17%) and friends (12%). Some moms may also leverage parenting apps, social media groups, and parenting books, classes, and workshops. 

Motherhood is a journey filled with incredible highs—and often unforeseen hurdles. If you’re a new mom experiencing sleepless nights, stress, feeding frustrations, or other challenges, remember that you’re not alone.  Together as a community, we can work toward creating more tailored resources and support networks for parents. 

That’s why Enfamil invests so much in programs that are designed to support you. From baby feeding tips to infant nutrition insights, we offer helpful resources for every stage of your baby’s development. 

As you manage those midnight feeding sessions and seemingly ever-changing diaper changes, remember to cherish the precious moments, the sweet snuggles, and the heartwarming milestones. This is a time of incredible growth and bonding, a temporary phase that lays the foundation for a lifetime of wonderful adventures you and your little one will embark on together.