Parents want more dates, less diapers in Baby's first year

    
    Pampers/Angus Reid survey finds 69 per cent of parents miss spontaneity
    the most after baby is born
    

TORONTO , Oct. 19 /CNW/ - It's official: coping with a baby in the first year takes a toll on mom and dad's relationship. While the first year of parenthood is an extremely memorable and joyful time, the amount of change new parents deal with as they experience life with their newborn can result in a great deal of stress on their relationship with each other.

Couples often believe that having a baby will strengthen their relationship and hope that the experience will bring them closer together. Even the best relationships can be challenged by the life-altering changes that come with bringing a new baby into the world. In fact, according to a recent study conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of Pampers, 69 per cent of Canadian parents noted that they missed spontaneity - the ability to pick-up and do whatever they want, whenever they want with their partner - the most since baby's arrival.

Adjusting to having a baby at home can often leave parents feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Couples with new babies are busy. Feedings, diaper changes, and consoling a newborn daily can be time consuming. By the time parents get to see each other alone, they are often too tired to enjoy each other's company.

"We've all experienced sleep deprivation in our lives," says parenting expert and author, Ann Douglas . "For parents with babies, lack of sleep is amplified. They often feel physically and emotionally exhausted with little time to invest in their relationship."

It's not surprising then, that when offered 12-hours of uninterrupted time, 62 per cent of parents would indulge in an evening alone with their partner. Specifically, 71 percent of male and 55 per cent of female participants noted that they would enjoy a romantic dinner for two or sensual massage with their partner if they were given the gift of time alone - something Douglas notes is extremely important for baby and couples.

"Since even the youngest babies can sense tension, it's important for couples to make time for one another," Douglas continues. "Minimizing the number of unnecessary sleep interruptions baby has in the night is a great way for couples to maximize their time together while baby is sleeping."

Couples who acknowledge that lack of sleep is affecting their relationship are more likely to turn to their support system for help. Sleep deprivation affects problem-solving abilities, so the more sleep-deprived you are, the less likely you are to recognize that you need some time to reconnect with your partner. And while calling on friends and family to take baby for a few hours or overnight is the most common and surefire way for couples to spend some quality time together, there are a number of products that aid in helping newborns rest more comfortably. Pampers Baby Dry for example, has one extra layer of absorbency compared to the other leading brand, that provides up to 12-hours of overnight protection so parents can optimize their quiet time together as their baby sleeps.

A good night's sleep is a very precious thing for the whole family and is especially important for a baby's development. While baby is dry and resting comfortably, parents can re-charge their batteries and re-connect with each other.

    
    Other survey highlights:
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Men miss being intimate - 26 per cent of male respondents noted intimacy as the thing they missed most since the birth of baby, while only 15 per cent of female noted the same.

Women value time alone - 37 per cent of women surveyed note the amount of time they have to take care of themselves as the biggest change since the birth of their baby, while 35 per cent of men surveyed note the time spent with their partner as the biggest change.

    
    About Pampers
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Pampers is Procter & Gamble's largest global brand and the world's top-selling diaper brand. For more than 45 years, Pampers has been helping to improve life for babies and toddlers and the parents who care for them. Pampers diapers and wipes provide parents and babies with a comfortable and comforting diapering solution.

    
    About Procter & Gamble
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Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Always(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Pringles(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella(R), Gillette(R), and Braun(R). The P&G community consists of over 135,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. P&G is the leading consumer products company in Canada with over $2.9 billion in annual sales. Please visit www.pg.ca for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

For further information: or an interview with Ann Douglas, please contact: Gabrielle Totesau, Optimum Public Relations, [phone], [email protected]