Perhaps unsurprisingly, the biggest cause of arguments is sleep (or lack of it), and sex (or lack thereof).
Other hot topics include how to look after the baby, and who is doing the most around the house, with common disputes during year one including things like who is the most tired, and who should get up in the night.
Division of responsibilities also causes rows, with housework, and who should be responsible for feeding, burping and changing the baby also featuring on the list.
“Even those couples who usually communicate brilliantly can find the first few months of having a baby tough, and arguments are a really normal part of the adjustment process," explains Siobhan Freegard, founder of parenting site ChannelMum.com.
“Lack of sleep during the early months, and getting used to the new-found responsibilities can pile pressure on new parents and contribute to arguments. Making time for each other can be just as important as learning how to look after the baby, as happy parents will naturally result in a happy child.”
Top 15 arguments
As for what parents fight over the most after they have a new baby, here is what the study authors found to be the main problem areas.
- Who is the most tired/had the least sleep
- Who should get up in the night with the baby
- Housework not getting done
- Having less money than usual
- One person being out at work all day and the other being left alone to parent
- Who should be responsible for feeding, changing, burping the baby
- Someone not doing their fair share of the work
- One person socialising more than the other
- Lack of affection
- Not having couple time
- One person not putting in enough effort
- Not being able to soothe the baby when it's crying
- Lack of sex
- Whether the baby should be left to cry alone
- Disagreement over relatives and in-laws getting involved.
Baby-proofing your relationship
Communication is key before and after having a baby. It's important to discuss whether it's something you both want and if the timing is right.
It's also important to chat about how you want to raise a child, whether you have a support network, and if you can afford it.
