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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you leave a sleeping baby in car in quiet residential street while you popped into friends house for 5 mins?

91 replies

mumtocuddlebundle · 30/09/2012 19:56

And didn't keep car within your sight from house?
Personally I would not do this. But have friend who did.
Just wondered what general opinion was.

OP posts:
Lovelygoldboots · 30/09/2012 20:21

OP there are obviously mixed views about this. I have done it, I used to park infront of a village hall and leave my son sleeping in the car when I took dd into ballet. But if you are so concerned you should say something to your friend. Everyone does things differently.

YouMayLogOut · 30/09/2012 20:27

No

Floggingmolly · 30/09/2012 20:29

It wouldn't enter my head to do this.

LadyWidmerpool · 30/09/2012 20:29

Obviously it's very unlikely anything would happen but if it did you would blame yourself for the rest of your life.

I wouldn't want to risk baby waking and getting distressed either.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 30/09/2012 20:30

Yes if car is in sight. I frequently leave DD2 (8 months) in her car seat while I pop into the house for more nappies, or a bottle or a change of shoes or something. But only for 30 seconds. If I had a drive and she was asleep I'd leave her until she woke up and check on her every few minutes.

bradbourne · 30/09/2012 20:38

I would if I knew it was only going to be five minutes and I was saitisfied it was a "safe" area..

It seems fairly commonplace to me (in rural area) - often see mums leaving their sleeping babies in the car when they go to pick up their older children from school.

bradbourne · 30/09/2012 20:38

I would if I knew it was only going to be five minutes and I was saitisfied it was a "safe" area..

It seems fairly commonplace to me (in rural area) - often see mums leaving their sleeping babies in the car when they go to pick up their older children from school.

RaisinDEtre · 30/09/2012 20:40

There is a tiny bit of me wants to ask why didn't you move your chat to roadside

Signet2012 · 30/09/2012 20:42

No rag, I shout my dp who works from home to come and look at her whilst I run off. Grin. I'm well aware this is not normal however and I am slowly chilling out! Blush

Original poster
mumtocuddlebundle · 30/09/2012 20:49

Her older daughter wanted to come in see my ds and his toys in playroom.
I kept thinking should I say something about moving to front door but kept thinking any minute now she'll make excuse to leave. Time just slowly mounted up to about 5 mins.

OP posts:
scarletforya · 30/09/2012 20:50

No way. I don't even leave my baby in a room alone at home. In a car unsupervised on the street? Never, you'd want to be mad, what if someone set the car on fire or stole the car or harmed the baby?

I bring the baby into the shop when I pay for petrol. Check this out.

OhlimpPricks · 30/09/2012 20:50

300 cars a day go up in flames fire service 35% of those are for reasons other than arson.
I have seen a car go up in 60 seconds. I should imagine with the intense heat of a car fire that the locking mechanism would fail.
Could you get from the house to the car in 60 seconds?
I would never ever risk it.

LeFreak · 30/09/2012 20:51

I wouldn't if car was out of sight, but would and have if I could watch the car from the window.

scottishmummy · 30/09/2012 20:52

absolutely not
why can't friend pop out ti car if only 5min
just no

wigglesrock · 30/09/2012 20:57

Yes, I do with my 19 month old. I park in front of my house - theres the pavement and then the front door - I open both front blinds and can see her from the front of the house. Its a shorter distance from the car to me than it is from the living room to her bedroom. Sometimes I sit on the step and watch her, sometimes I sit in the car with her but if the other children are in the car, I bring them in and then watch her from the house.

CamelKnees · 30/09/2012 21:00

No. Obviously risk of stolen car or smashed window is small but would worry about other things like what if baby choked on vomit or similar. Not a car based worry but it's the reason I wouldn't leave a baby in another room without a monitor.

Raspberryandorangesorbet · 30/09/2012 21:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Leena49 · 30/09/2012 21:05

Never and I would report anyone who did.

scarletforya · 30/09/2012 21:05

In case they stop breathing/pull something over their heads and smother/get sick and choke etc! Blush

OhlimpPricks · 30/09/2012 21:07

Raspberryandorangesorbet - rooms don't often spontaneously combust.

Signet2012 · 30/09/2012 21:10

I'm sure you can leave a baby in a room alone! I just daren't yet, traumatic birth resulting in running down corridors in a bed and emergency section. I'm just a tad neurotic Blush. I have improved though. Week 1 I was on my knees having only had about five hours sleep since the night before she was born because I didn't dare close my eyes incase something happened to her even when dp had hold of her. I'm another week I may dare go and make a cuppa Smile

Fobwatch · 30/09/2012 21:10

Scarletforya

Those poor children were not on a petrol forecourt. They were target by arsonists.

scottishmummy · 30/09/2012 21:11

dc slept own room from birth
had video and audio monitor and regular checks
never leave alone in car.too irresponsible imo

DknyQueen · 30/09/2012 21:16

Friend of mine has a habit of leaving her 1-year old in the car asleep with a baby monitor while visiting me or other friends. Baby completely out of her sight. I was in shock the first time she did it and age was equally in shock that I was in shock Grin
Baby was in his own in the car for over half an hour!

mummyonvalium · 30/09/2012 21:20

I have left both my children in a locked car, on a residential street for a couple of minutes whilst I have paid for parking. My reason for doing this is because I find it far too hair-raising supervising them both whilst I am trying to pay for parking. It is my logic they are more likely to run into the road whilst I am paying for my ticket. Is this different or the same as what you guys are talking about?