Leaving my 6 month old for the first time

[TheMother2023]

Hi all,
My mum is meant to be having my daughter while me and my partner go out for a lunch date (it'll only be an hour or two) it's the first time I'm leaving her and her not be with her dad. I've been to a concert and she was fine with her dad but I'm worried that without us both there she just won't settle.
I dont want her to think I've abandoned her. She loves my mum (her nan) but she's very attached to me and it takes her time to settle with others.
I want to be able to go for the meal, but I'm so worried she'll be upset the whole time.

Thank you in advance.

I think it sounds important that you try it! It’s only an hour or two as you say. I’m sure you’ll be in contact the whole time and your mum can let you know how it’s going. Maybe get your mum over a bit before to give her a bit of time to settle?

She will be fine. Your mum is a familiar adult. Maybe chat with your mum about what she can do if DD is unsettled. When my mum first had DD, she said she would walk her round the park in the buggy if needed, as that always calmed DD.

Hope you have a nice time.

It can be very nerve wracking but you will at some point in time need to leave your baby with someone else, and you have to start somewhere. A lunch date for a couple of hours while baby is with someone she knows and already connects with is a great place to start!

I left my DS with my mum from about 3m old while I was having 1.5h driving lessons. I was super anxious the first time, but they were both absolutely fine. If you can leave your phone on loud and make sure your mum knows to call if baby is very unsettled, then you've done all you can.

I'm sure you'll find the time flies, you'll get back and everyone will have had a wonderful time. I hope you have a lovely lunch!

It's your mum
it's a couple of hours
it'll be fine

better now than at 9 months!!

She’ll be fine, and it’s good for babies to get used to being with grandparents etc. I would have done it much younger! Don’t feel a minutes guilt

Completely get this. I left my eight months dd (very clingy and EBF baby) with my mum at the weekend for two hours (first time left not with my DH).

Was I stressed? Yes.
Was DD fine? Completely. She cried when she saw me again but I think they actually operate “in the moment “ so she had a lovely time with my mum while I was gone happy as Larry. As soon as she saw me it was like ohh mum there you are I missed you.

I don’t see myself as a mum who will be off doing lots of stuff without my kids on the weekends moving forwards but I will have to return to work three days a week so I think it was important for me and baby to slowly start having a little time apart.

It is scary but she will be Fine. Hope you have a great time.

I was the same , first time leaving my ebf baby without me or hubby was last week and he’s 9 months. Going through separation anxiety but you know what he was fine. I wasn’t there so he just cries when he can see me but isn’t with me if you get me. It seems if I’m not in the room he is ok . MIL said he was a dream x

Thank you all! All of your messages have really helped. I love this website.
We're seeing a comedian in October so leaving my daughter with my sister and she'll be 9 months, it's why I wanted to do it now to ease into it and my mum being the first person helps me feel a little less anxious.
Thank you again all.