Would you leave baby alone?

[Mississippilessly]

I have agreed to go and pick up a parcel for a friend tomorrow. DS is 10 weeks. I am going to have to take my DH so someone can stay with the baby - the parcel is too big for me to take him in. This seems crazy. Could I lock the car and run in? I have only just thought of itm

Think asking for help is the best bet. It hadnt occurred to me to leave him until the petrol thread.

just put baby in sling to leave you hands free. Or ask someone nearby ie in parcel office if they would either help with parcel or hold baby 2 mins

bloody i wasnt sure about leaving him but being sensible - that isnt very likely in a car park.

It totally depends on the set up, one of the courier depots near me has a glass front and you can park right outside, I would leave a baby in the car for a couple of minutes to get a parcel.

We need more information

Ned that's what I will do. Parcel is big so i will def need both hands - ideally someone else to help me

Patti depot is in an industrial estate type set up. I should be able to see the car. But it is a big car park.

What's the big deal? If you're nipping in somewhere and can probably stay within sight of the car? I'm failing to see the need for the dramatic responses.

crooked thank fuck, I was beginning to feel like I had suggested leaving him on the M25

More at risk at getting run over between the car and station door than leaving a baby for a minute to pay. hmm

Complete tangent, but I am always a bit baffled by this. Is there really such a statistically significant increase in incidents of people getting hit by cars at petrol stations? I see this argument all the time on here, but have never known it to be an issue in real life. Genuinely curious.

I have left baby in the car before when the car is parked opposite the door so I can see them even if there is a queue.

If that isn’t possible then I’d take him in.

Can you sling the baby but have a buggy ready for the parcel?! I’ve done that before. Or ask if someone would mind assisting you. Or tell friend to collect their own parcel - seriously 90 minute round trip?!

And in that case would OP be putting her child at risk of being run over if she takes them inside with her from the car park or are car parks safer than petrol garages?

@bloodyhellimtired according to ROSPA

OP difference between the post office/ royal mail depot and a petrol station is that a petrol station generally has:

• lots of CCTV,
• A large window where the car is visible at all times
• CCTV specifically tracking each car on the forecourt
• a shorter and faster moving queue
• a shorter transaction time
• parking within view of the pay station.

The post office/ depot has none or few of those things.

No judgement but the words:

'Baby & Alone' should never really go together. The fact you've asked the question itself shows you no it's not a good thing to do. Hope you find an alternative solution.

If you have to literally run in and grab the parcel I can't see what the deal is about leaving him in the car that you can see.

If not, I'd take him in in the car seat, get parcel, put parcel at the door with DS in the depot, carry DS out and put him in car then get parcel.

Someone will probably offer help!

This thread has got me thinking about what I do when I go out with baby in the car.

There’s only on street parking outside our house so sometimes the car ends up being parked up the road a little bit. If I’m taking the pram and the car seat that’s too much for me to carry at once, so I usually leave the baby in the hall in her car seat, out the other stuff in the car then come back for the baby. When I come home I reverse this- put baby in house first then carry any other things out of the car. This means the baby is sometimes in the house alone for 2-3 minutes. Is this really bad, and if so what else can I do instead?

DH may be annoyed you agreed but he can still help out

what will he be doing while you do this?

It's really not that big of a deal or a stupid question, I asked loads of logistical questions when I first had DS. I even text my friend to ask WTF I should do if we were out for a walk and I needed the toilet.

Does your friend not drive, or is it inconvenient for her to get the parcel? It's a long way for you to go just for someone else. If it is just because your friend doesn't drive could they come in the car with you?

I am going to give my best 'please help frazzled woman' look.

Why did I say yes?!?!

The riskiest thing you'll do is put him in the car and drive so..... Risk assess everything else after that.

ineed friend messed up - the parcel was delievered about 370 miles from where she now lives

Maybe get it redelivered. You never know how long the queue will be in the post office - I assume that’s where you’re going.

No it isn't really bad.

You can only leave the baby for minutes in the car in your total sight while you get the stuff in, or take baby in first and leave him in the car seat for minutes while you grab the rest.

I would take the baby in the house first then dash back.

Go in with the baby and queue and bet someone will help you though OP.

daphine they won't. It's fine, i will prob lug the car seat in and ask someone to carry parcel out unless i can park right in the doorway and DS is asleep.

Haunted you would hope so wouldnt u?!