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Original poster

Do you or did you leave 1 year old alone in the lounge?

70 replies

andanotherproblem · 30/09/2025 21:26

My DD is 1.5 years old, she is a very busy girl, constantly walking around, climbing on and off the sofa or trying to climb on anything and everything, she will not sit for even a minute unless she’s in her high chair or pram, I’m sure like most 1 year olds, she’s a walking hazard, constantly falling over, head first into the wall/tv unit, off the sofa etc. I have never left her in the lounge by herself as she is a hazard when I’m there let alone when I’m not, my family have started commenting on this recently asking why I bring her to the toilet with me or in the kitchen etc, surely it’s normal to constantly have eyes on her, curious what others do/think

OP posts:
Youcancallmeirrelevant · 30/09/2025 21:52

Neither of my kids were like that at that age so I did used to leave them in the lounge to go to the toilet or answer the door or get something from another room.

Hallywally · 30/09/2025 21:50

I can’t really remember but I probably did with DD as she was a very lazy baby- only walked at 2 and used to just sit about a lot playing or watching TV 🤣 Probably didn’t with DS as he was like a whirling dervish. Tearing around, trying to climb, tipping things over etc 😂 Both gorgeous kids but very different!

Solost92 · 30/09/2025 21:50

Yeah, he's a walking disaster but there's nothing he can kill himself on so I just roll with it. Being in the same room makes little difference unless I literally spend all my time hovering over him. He's literally just turned one. Can climb ladders, up on the sofa, open all the child locks. I don't know how I still have hair.

MoanyMo · 30/09/2025 21:50

My dd was ok at 12-18 months, she just played with toys and was quite content. My ds was totally different, he climbed absolutely everything, including a clothes horse - he could not be left for a second. I think it totally depends on the child tbh.

Sunshineclouds11 · 30/09/2025 21:45

My DD is the same age, I go to the toilet and into the kitchen and leave her, she does tend to follow unless engrossed in a toy.
I don't close doors behind me and there's nothing she can climb on other than sofa, TV is on the wall

hereismydog · 30/09/2025 21:45

Mine is 9mo but crawling and pulling to stand on everything in sight so absolutely no chance 😂 he has a playpen so he goes in there if I need the toilet, or to hang the washing out or something. That playpen is a godsend!

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 30/09/2025 21:45

I would put mine in their high sided cotbed with some toys if I needed a wee etc. Treated it like a play pen.

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 30/09/2025 21:44

I did but my DC were not super active/climbers and would sit playing with toys while I went to the toilet. My house was small and I was never more than 30 seconds away. My furniture was tethered to the walls etc.

My niece could absolutely not be left for a second though. She was so active and always looking for new climbing spots .

FluffletheMeow · 30/09/2025 21:43

Playpen like others.
Probably left in a room in earshot from 2ish.

userwhat632 · 30/09/2025 21:43

Depends on how hazardous the room was. Usually DC would just want to be with me anyhow

Slothey · 30/09/2025 21:42

I’d pop out to the loo, but not for much longer than that. In a reasonably baby-proofed room.

Mushroo · 30/09/2025 21:40

I would leave her to walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water, or run upstairs to grab a nappy.

But she’s pretty sensible and the TV is out of reach, and we don’t have any furniture that could topple.

Hercisback1 · 30/09/2025 21:39

Yes in a baby proofed room.

Oaktreet · 30/09/2025 21:38

1st child probably not, 2nd child all the time, never for very long though

CharlieKirkRIP · 30/09/2025 21:35

Yes in a play pen if I was going to be completely distracted.

TheChosenTwo · 30/09/2025 21:33

Yes, otherwise nothing would have ever been done! I’m not taking a 1 year old to the toilet with me, the toilet was 5 steps away from the living room, I peed while the door was open but I think even at 18m they are only to not have eyes on them for a whole 60 seconds. Also helps them to develop those very first stages of independence and not being so reliant on me which I was personally a big fan of!
Obviously my living room was child proof as much as reasonable, I don’t drink hot drinks so no danger in them pulling a hot tea over themselves etc.

IsItBeesThoughLooshkin · 30/09/2025 21:32

I had a playpen so I could but otherwise wouldn’t have.

Parker231 · 30/09/2025 21:31

Yes - they went in the playpen so I could go to the toilet, answer the door, feed the dog etc.

ShesTheAlbatross · 30/09/2025 21:29

Yeah I think I did leave her. Just for short times like going for a wee in the downstairs loo, and I’d leave the door open. Tbh she tended to just follow me anyway.

Almost2026 · 30/09/2025 21:28

I wouldn’t leave them unless they had a play pen with only baby safe toys and only then to the down stairs toilet etc where I can still hear them.