Heres how many milestones parents experience in their babys first year

The average parent experiences nearly 50 milestones with their children within the first year, according to new research.A survey of 2,000 parents of babies (9 months to 24 months) found that while many of these were expected, 78% agreed that important developmental and emotional milestones can come completely out of the blue. The survey found that parents impatiently waited for their baby’s first steps (66%) and words (62%), to hear them laugh (60%) or celebrate their first birthday (53%).Parents are also clearly just as excited for their baby to blow out that single candle or smash that cake as their child is.Forty-two percent of parents said it’s a chance for them to reflect on how far they’ve come and 70% believe that a birthday party is a way to celebrate all of the milestones their child has achieved.Whether milestones are expected or not, the survey, which was conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Horizon Organic, found that parents are snapping photos of their kiddo doing things big and small. The average parent has nearly 2,000 photos and videos of their little ones in their camera roll.

That’s around 1,000 photos for every year of life, or almost three every single day. When asked the most surprising milestone that pulled on their heartstrings, one respondent said, “When he wrapped his arms around and hugged his older sister for the first time.”Another said, “I wasn’t expecting to be so emotional over transitioning to larger size clothing.It has been bittersweet watching my baby grow because I expect this to be my last baby.”With that growth also comes mixed feelings as fewer parents were ready for the emotional impact of leaving newborn clothes behind (16%) or weaning them off breast milk or formula (just 11%).The survey also explored how prepared parents were to navigate their child’s growth and development.

According to the results, 89% of parents feel some level of preparedness, though only 45% feel “very knowledgeable�...