When expecting a baby for the first time, many parents do everything they can to be 
prepared such as getting the nursery ready, shopping for supplies, and reading up on baby care tips. Although once the baby arrives, it seems no amount of forethought can prepare a parent for just how much care a newborn needs. It is certainly a life long learning experience and a learn-as-you go process. New parents can find solace in the fact that several parents share in their lack of knowledge, a new study reveals.
A group of researchers at the University of Rochester set out to discover just how much new parents know about baby development, particularly what they don’t know. The new study found that one third of new parents in the US actually knew very little about normal infant development.
The researchers reviewed a nationally representative sample of over 10,000 moms and dads of 9 month old babies who answered about 11 survey questions pertaining to baby development topics like potty training and talking. The majority of parents answered only 4 or fewer of the questions correct, which was considered having low parenting knowledge.
The study didn’t stop at the survey, as the research team compared the surveys with video taped segments of the parents teaching their child a new activity as well as the information parents provided detailing how often they participated in engaging activities such as telling stories or singing songs. About 31.2% of parents had a low level of what to expect from their child. While low knowledge level was associated with parental education level and income, researchers were shocked at the number of parents with unrealistic expectations even when variables like mother’s age, income, and mental state were controlled.
Even though several parents did exhibit adequate parental knowledge, researchers were astonished at the number of parents who did not and feel this lack of know how can rob babies of their much needed mental stimulation. Despite the number of books on the market providing parents with tips on what to expect once the baby arrives, researchers add that many parents are unsure of developmental touchstones as well as how important their role is in child development. The researchers hope, along with the help of pediatricians, to devise new ways to educate parents in an office setting. It is important to stay active in your baby’s development by providing lots of interaction, reading books, singing songs, repeating words, playing, and of course lots of love.
Tags: growth charts
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on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 6:25 pm and is filed under Baby Parenting.
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