New parents have less quality time together, go on fewer date nights and say 'I love you' less often than before they had children - but still manage to maintain their sex lives, a study has found.
After starting a family, parents admit they also kissed their partner less often, went on fewer nights out with friends and had less romance in their relationship.
But being intimate is one area new parents still make time for, with parents having sex as often as those without children - an average of twice a week.
Despite the effects it may have had on their relationship, 85 per cent of parents generally feel more satisfied and happier since having children.
Liz Fraser, Modern Family Expert for Care.com, said: "Everyone knows having children is life-changing but regardless of the changes most parents would say having their children was the best moment of their lives, and that they couldn't imagine living without them now they are here.
"Taking some time with your partner is important though, to ensure you keep the closeness of your relationship and retain that feel good factor that comes from being intimate.
"Resources such as Care.com are available to make date nights as easy as possible with access to qualified babysitters.
"Even small things like a meal out or an afternoon spent alone together really do help make a difference in the long run."
The poll of 2,000 Brits in relationships, including 1,000 parents of children under seven, found quality time with your partner is among the hardest hit, dropping by more than half after children come along from almost 14 hours a week to just six.
And 91 per cent of parents admit they now consider quality time to be as a family rather than alone with their partner.
Romantic gestures drop by a quarter from once a week to just three times a month after children are born, while 'I love you' is said just 468 times a year - 52 times less than the 520 times couples without youngsters say it to each other.
Couples also go from kissing each other 13 times a week to just 10 times once they have a baby in their lives, while nights out with friends reduce by half from once a week or just twice a month.
Researchers also found date nights are affected, with couples enjoying an average of two a month before children, but just one a month after starting a family.
But more than one in 10 parents admit it has been six months or more since they last went out with their partner while another one in 10 reckon it has been so long, they can't remember their last date night.
And almost half of all parents (43%) have never had a romantic weekend away without their children.
Of the nine in ten parents who say the number of date nights they go on with their partner has dropped since they had children, 57 per cent blame it on being too busy, while another 56 per cent struggle to find childcare.
Other reasons include not being able to afford to go out and not wanting leaving the children.
Eighty-seven per cent of parents also admitted their attitudes to dating changed after their children were born with four in 10 saying it became less of a priority.
More than a quarter claim date nights only really happen for special occasions while 15 per cent appreciate the time out with their other half more than they once did.
In order to help keep the romance alive, Care.com provides a simple and easy to use resource through which parents can locate childcare options. From long term nannies through to occasional babysitters, the website can help ensure that date nights are put back in the calendar.
Parents - Once a month
Non-parents - Twice a month
QUALITY TIME WITH PARTNERParents - Six hours a week
Non-parents - 13 hours and 38 minutes
SAY 'I LOVE YOU'Parents - 39 times a month/ 468 times a year
Non-parents - 43 times a month/ 520 times a year
KISSParents - 10 a week
Non-parents - 13 a week
ROMANTIC GESTURESParents - three a month
Non-parents - four a month
SEXParents - Twice a week
Non-parents - Twice a week
NIGHTS OUT WITH FRIENDS AS A COUPLEParents - Once a month
Non-parents - Twice a month
NIGHTS OUT WITH FRIENDS, WITHOUT PARTNERParents - Once a month
Non-parents - Twice a month
Top five reasons parents go on fewer date nights:- We are too busy to go out
- We struggle to find childcare
- We can't afford to go out
- I/My partner doesn't like to leave the children
- We don't have a clear night where we are both free to go out
