- 60% of UK parents and parents-to-be, have given their baby bump a nickname during the early stages of pregnancy
- Peanut, Bean and Berry were the most popular names given to baby bumps
- 71% of UK parents continue to use the bump’s nickname throughout their child’s life
During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, parents and parents-to-be are often swept up in a whirlwind of both excitement and nervousness, prompting them to affectionately name their growing bump. In fact, more than half (60%) of people surveyed by the UK’s number one pregnancy supplement brand, Pregnacare, agreed they affectionately and secretly named their bump.
The top five names revealed were Peanut, Bean, Berry, Bambi and Pickle, with 71% of parents admitting to continuing to use the name throughout the child’s life (22% as a middle name, 21% as a birth name, 20% as a nickname and 8% as a version of the nickname). Respondents also revealed that the inspiration behind their chosen nickname came from the size it was compared to from an app, a book or online (16%), the baby scan image (14%) and the baby’s movement (12%).
In a discreet acknowledgement of their newfound parenthood, expecting couples have said the simple act of naming their baby bump has lent an additional touch of charm to their pregnancy journey. The findings revealed that for 50% of respondents, this ritual injected a level of excitement to their journey. Similarly, 47% reported feeling a heightened sense of reality; while 42% found it easier to talk about the baby at home.
Partners not only use this as a means to strengthen their own bond, but an impressive 89% of parents highlighted that naming their baby bump fostered a deeper connection with their unborn child throughout pregnancy.
However, while the early stages of pregnancy is often considered a silent celebration for many, 40% of mothers decided against naming their baby bump. Among this group, 18% attributed their decision to nervousness around forming too strong an emotional attachment before the baby’s arrival, opting to wait until the baby’s arrival instead.
Susanne Bisinotto, Brand Marketing Director of Vitabiotics said: “The journey of becoming a parent starts as soon as you hear the exciting news and with Pregnacare we ensure that we are part of this journey every step of the way. Even though this can be a rollercoaster of a time, many parents have experienced the psychological benefits of starting this special bond with their baby through giving their baby bump a nickname.”
Supporting healthy pregnancies for over 30 years, Pregnacare is the UK’s number one pregnancy supplement, and most recommended by Midwives1. Pregnacare tablets have been shown to benefit pregnant mums and babies in independent research carried out by the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at LMU and Homerton University Hospital; the groundbreaking study investigated the effect of Pregnacare supplementation on maternal nutrient status, infant birth weight and gestational age at birth. (British Journal of Nutrition (2010), 104, 437-445). Nutritional requirements throughout all stages of pregnancy are different to other life stages and Pregnacare supports mothers every step of the way with products such as Pregnacare Conception, Pregnacare Max and Pregnacare New Mum.
Top 10 baby bump nicknames according to the survey
1. Peanut
2. Bean
3. Berry
4. Bambi
5. Pickle
6. Mango
7. Button
8. Dot
9. Squish
10. Pip