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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think its acceptable to leave DC with reliable babysitter for evening/overnight?

36 replies

Illustrationaddict · 04/05/2013 02:48

I'm just wondering what people think? I left DC with GPs for evening at a few weeks and overnight at about 4 months. Read a thread earlier at this not being very acceptable by most posters, but quite honestly think I needed a refresher break so I could be a happy content Mummy for DC. is this only me?

OP posts:

janey68 · 04/05/2013 08:04

Excuse the shocking typos in that !!

seeker · 04/05/2013 08:07

If the baby will happily take a bottle I just can't understand why you wouldn't if you want to.

What are peopl reasons for saying thy wouldn't?

jacks365 · 04/05/2013 08:10

When dd1 was 6 weeks old she was left with gp while i was in hospital for an operation. At 10 weeks she was left for weekend with ils due to my mothers 50th birthday celebration (booked London theatre tickets etc prior to pregnancy). Dd4 was left with gp at 6 months due to attending an award ceremony in London (we all live in the north) missed them like mad but had to be done.

There is no right or wrong to this its only what feels right for you.

GrandPoohBah · 04/05/2013 08:13

I would and did. We're very lucky - we both have family locally - so 5mo DD has been looked after by her aunts, her uncle and my mum in her short life. I went to my work Christmas party when she was 4 weeks, I've been to a gig, on various birthday events, nice dinners, and this weekend we're going out for my birthday with my DM looking after her.

I breastfeed. When we go out she has a bottle. If I could be arsed and got on with it more, I would express, as it is I can't bear it so she has formula.

This works for us as a family, and really that's all you have to be concerned about. YANBU.

nurseneedshelp · 04/05/2013 08:15

You need to do what you think feels right!

We went to London last weekend and I paid for a friend to stay here with our DC's. They loved it and had lots of fun with her.

We had a good break from everything!

littleducks · 04/05/2013 08:16

I think it is socially acceptable with an experienced babysitter but not a teenager.

I didn't with either of mine and am not planning to with to this one. I don't really see the point, I bfed mine so it would have been awkward to arrange and small babies are pretty portable so I didn't find it difficult to take them places at that age.

janey68 · 04/05/2013 08:17

I think the most important thing is what was mentioned upthread: your baby is yours and your DPs alone and it's u

janey68 · 04/05/2013 08:22

I think the most important thing is what was mentioned upthread: your baby is yours and your DPs alone and it's up to you to do things the right way for your family. There is no moral superiority in never leaving your baby with anyone else; neither is it compulsory if you don't wish to do it

Btw on a practical level, my babies were always more comfortable drinking expressed milk from a cup, you can get special cups which many babies can manage from quite a young age. They did have the occasional bottle of expressed milk too. Of course if your baby will not drink from anything other that breast without becoming distressed then it will restrict what you can do.

claremp7 · 04/05/2013 08:50

It was me that asked about leaving my DD over night.
My circumstances were a little different. I was travelling half way across the country. I am breast feeding. Most importantly I didn't want to leave her!
You shouldn't be judged if you want to go away. Its your child and your decision.
Enjoy your night out I'm probably just a bit neurotic not want to leave my DD!

FantasticMax · 04/05/2013 09:09

I left DD with my DH (ok, not a babysitter) for an afternoon when she was about 3 months. She had reflux, screamed constantly, slept poorly and I was on the verge of developing PND and finding it difficult to bond. I was bf but we had just successfully managed to get her to take a bottle and by then I had plenty of expressed milk in the freezer so I just did it. It was great - lunch with a friend and a few hours of shopping - and just what I needed. IMO you do need a break if you are struggling. Why ever not?

Didn't leave her for an overnight stay though till she was 13 months (again with DH) but had a few evenings out after she was in bed so didn't know I was gone, after 6 months. PIL or my parents babysitting these times. Babysitters are great!

ParadiseChick · 04/05/2013 09:14

I've just woke up in a quiet, tranquil childfree house. Dh is downstairs brewing me a coffee and the house is nice and tidy. Yanbu

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