Brits reveal their top ten most asked parenting questions

New and expectant parents are Googling their top questions about their little ones, wanting to know tips and helpful solutions to their queries. Becoming a parent is daunting, and it can be comforting when experiencing concerns to find others with the same questions.

With this in mind, our experts reveal the UK's current top ten parenting questions in 2023. Topping the list is ‘how to change a nappy’, with the search term racking up a staggering 4,400% increase in interest over the past month¹.

According to Google Trends insight, we have ranked the top ten parenting questions among Brits and share our answers and advice:

‘How to change a nappy’ (+4400%)¹

When arriving home with your newborn, you’re thrown into motherhood, and there are many things to consider. With many conversations around the best nappies to use and how to use them correctly, how, and how often, do you change a nappy? Young babies may need changing as many as ten or twelve times a day, while older babies must be changed around six to eight times.

If your baby's nappy is dirty, it’s best to use it to clean off most of the excrement from their bottom. Once this is done, use either the cotton wool and warm water or baby wipes to remove the rest and ensure your baby is clean. A top tip is to clean inside the folds of the skin. If you're using disposable nappies, try not to get any liquid on the sticky tabs, as they won't stick if you do. If you're using cloth nappies, carefully place them in a nappy liner and then fasten the nappy. The nappy then needs to be adjusted to fit around the waist and legs comfortably.

We recommend using reusable nappies from birth if you’d like to reduce the impact you’re having on the environment and the number of times you change your baby.

‘When to stop breastfeeding’ (+ 4200%)¹

Breastfeeding is a very personal experience for mums, and if this is the chosen route for feeding your baby, it can be difficult to decide when to stop. Breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of your baby's life. While many parents decide to stop breastfeeding before their child turns two, there's no reason why you should not continue breastfeeding your child into their second year.

Breastfeeding can provide comfort for your baby when they’re unwell or upset, and it’s common for both the baby and mum to enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding. However, with that being said, mums shouldn’t feel pressured to breastfeed, and you should always do what you’re comfortable with.

‘How to baby-proof’ (+2600%)¹

Baby-proofing your house is recommended for when your baby begins to explore, often when they’re beginning to crawl. Some baby-proofing precautions you can take include:

• Fitting safety devices to doors, windows or drawers
• Covering sharp edges and corners around your home
• Locking any dangerous items away, such as medication
• Adding barriers, such as baby gate, to keep your child away from hazards such as stairs

We recommend looking at things from your baby’s perspective when baby-proofing, crawling around your home and seeing things from a lower perspective can help you spot any hazards you’d miss from adult height.

‘How do babies learn’ (+2300%)¹

Babies constantly learn every day, discovering new abilities and expanding their senses. Play is the main way infants learn to understand their surroundings and communicate with others. During the first month, your baby will learn by interacting with you. The first thing a baby learns is how to use their body language to ensure their needs are met. Sensory details such as your touch, the sound of your voice and the sight of you will allow comfort through all learning experiences.

‘How to store breast milk’ (+1900%)¹

Mums often choose to express their breast milk and store it for future use. This can be useful if you’re going to be away from your baby, if your breasts feel uncomfortably full, your partner is helping to feed the baby or if you simply want to boost your milk supply.

You can express milk by hand or with a pump. The best way to store breast milk is in a sterilised container or in special breast milk storage bags. Once contained, you can store the milk in the fridge for up to eight days at 4C or lower. You can store it for two weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge and up to six months in a freezer if it's -18C or lower. Breast milk that's been cooled in the fridge can be carried in a cool bag with ice packs for up to 24 hours. We recommend labelling all breast milk when storing with dates of when it was expressed.

‘How to potty train’ (+362%)¹

Potty training your child takes patience, and you must go at your own pace with your little one. To potty train, the main key is communication, introduce your child to the potty and talk to them about nappies. Children learn by watching and copying what they see, so you can use toys to demonstrate how to use the potty. Keeping the potty in plain sight can be helpful, allowing them to sit on it and get used to the environment.

‘How to breastfeed’ (+334%)¹

Breastfeeding is an individual experience for every mum, it can take time to get used to. There are different positions you can breastfeed in, so you and your baby should use trial and error and see which works best for you. In any position, you should make sure you’re supporting your baby’s head and neck, allowing them to tilt their head and swallow. Bring your baby close to your breast and allow them to latch themselves, it can help to lean forward. Breastfeeding is also optional, and if you choose not to, the method of feeding your baby on formula is very similar.

 ‘How much to feed baby’ (+ 161%)¹

There is no correct amount to feed your baby, each little one will differ with how regularly they need feeding. Usually, most newborns eat every two to three hours or eight to twelve times every 24 hours. Babies usually drink one to two ounces at each feeding after the first few days of life. Your baby will have hunger cues and will let you know when they’d like feeding; this can be in the form of crying, sticking their tongue out, putting their hand to their mouth regularly, opening their mouth and sucking on other items.

 ‘How to get baby to sleep’ (+100%)¹

Babies can vary in their sleep patterns, especially in the first few months of life. Tips to get your baby to sleep involve encouraging a routine or sleep habits, including a bath, cuddling, singing and quiet music in a dimly lit room. Give your baby time to settle down after comforting, we also recommend putting them down drowsy but still awake, with a comforter such as a teddy bear or a pacifier, allowing them to be soothed to sleep.

 ‘What is colic’ (+83%)¹

Colic is when a baby cries continuously, but there is no obvious cause, it often gets better after three or four months of life. Although all babies cry, babies with colic may cry for three hours at a time but are otherwise healthy. Other signs of colic can include babies clenching their fists, getting red in the face and bringing their knees up to their stomachs. Steps to soothe colic include cuddling, sitting your baby upright during feeds, gently rocking your baby or giving them a warm bath.

Searching your questions

Becoming a parent can sometimes be a daunting time, and it can be extremely overwhelming both emotionally and physically. No matter how much preparation you do for bringing your little one home, you want to do the best for them and can’t prepare for everything. Googling your parenting questions can be beneficial for answers but also to realise you’re not alone in your struggles or concerns.

Searching your questions can lead to finding a community of other parents going through a similar situation, which can provide comfort. We hope all parents can find answers to their questions online; however, we advise that you make sure the resources you’re viewing are reputable. Research is a great tool, but it could lead to more worries if the content you’re reading only creates fear.  We recommend contacting your healthcare provider if you’re concerned for your or your baby’s health.

Sources
Google trends results for the search terms correct as of January 2023.

Laura Davies is the founder of the The Kid Collective, the ultimate shopping destination for toys that support learning through play. Everything is consciously selected with the benefits of play in mind, ensuring that each toy inspires growth in children, for today and tomorrow. When it comes to play, we know what matters.