Milestones parents experience throughout their baby’s first year

The average parent experiences nearly 50 milestones with their children within the first year, including important developmental and emotional milestones that can come unexpectedly. Parents eagerly anticipate their baby’s first steps, words, laughter, and first birthday. Many parents view their child’s first birthday as a chance to reflect on how far they have come and to celebrate the milestones their child has achieved.

Regardless of whether milestones are anticipated or not, parents are often excited to capture these moments through photos and videos. The average parent has around 2,000 photos and videos of their child, taking almost three every single day. Some of the most heartwarming milestones for parents include their child hugging a sibling for the first time or transitioning to larger clothing sizes, which can evoke mixed emotions.

Although 89% of parents feel somewhat prepared to navigate their child’s growth and development, only 45% feel very knowledgeable about their changing nutritional needs. Transitioning away from breast milk and formula to introducing dairy milk can be a stressful stage for many parents, with concerns about whether their child will miss breast milk or formula, like dairy milk, and receive adequate nutrients. Nearly half of parents worry about whether their child is getting the right nutrition.

Parents are particularly concerned about their child being a picky eater, with 56% worried about this. However, most parents are confident that their child will regularly consume foods like bananas, yogurt, and dairy milk. The transition away from breast milk or formula can elicit a range of emotions, with parents feeling relief, sadness, or guilt about weaning their child.

The first birthday and the changes that come with it can bring a mix of emotions for parents, including wonder and sadness. Horizon Organic, as the first organic dairy brand in the U.S., is committed to supporting parents as they introduce dairy into their children’s diets. By providing high-quality, organic milk with added nutrients like DHA Omega-3 and prebiotics, parents can feel confident in their child’s growth and development. The survey was conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Horizon Organic and surveyed 2,000 parents of babies aged 9 to 24 months.