More than one in three parents lie about their baby's achievements
New parents are feeling increasing pressure to live up to 'insta-perfect' expectations, new research suggests.
This has even led to more than one in three (up to 38%) admitting they lie about their baby's achievements to others. Nearly one in 10 confess they tell these types of fibs all the time.
Some 67% of new parents say online parenting forums, parenting experts and 'Instagram families' make them worry they are not doing a good enough job, the study by Cubo Ai reveals.
And while 'parent one-upmanship' is irritating to 44% of the new mums and dads polled, as many as a third (32%) say it makes them feel worried they are failing as a parent.
Plus, a whopping 82% feel there is an 'immense pressure' to live up to society's high expectations of parenting.
Some 39% of new parents also complain of having a 'baby bragger' in their group of friends who makes everyone else question their own child's achievements. Anyone spring to mind?
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In a list of the most annoying baby brags, 'my baby sleeps through the night' tops the list, voted for by 50% of new mums and dads just trying to do their best.
'My baby is already talking' (44%), 'my baby NEVER cries' (43%), 'the health visitor says my baby is really advanced' (41%), and 'my baby is so pretty they could be a model' (36%) also feature high as things that get under parents' skin.
The study of 1,000 parents of children aged three and under also unearths a third (34%) who were polled admit they cannot stand it when other people comment on their child's development.
Some 37% say they cannot bear the thought of someone thinking their child's development is slow or delayed, while 36% just want to avoid being judged altogether.
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It also seems dads are more likely to tell white lies about how well their baby is doing compared to mums, with 43% and 34% respectively.
"Our research highlights just how anxious new parents are about their babies – especially when it comes to sleep," says Brian Lin, CEO of Cubo Ai.
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They study also reveals 49% of new parents feel concerned their little one will fall ill, especially during the night, while 44% are worried about a blanket or teddy covering the baby's face while they are sleeping, putting them in danger.
And four in 10 (40%) feel panic-stricken if their child does not sleep through the night, while a fifth (20%) are worried their baby would somehow manage to climb out of their cot and hurt themselves.
For information on babies and sleep visit the NHS' sleeping safely page or helping your baby to sleep.
Watch: Research reveals just how rough new parents have had it during the pandemic
