to leave baby in the house while

[itstartsnow]

We live in an apartment block with bin sheds and car parking at the back. Baby is 7mo. I live on the 1st floor.

I would sit baby in the cot and would be gone about 20 seconds max.

I think in my head it's no different than going into the back garden if I lived in a house. But because it's flats I'm not sure if it's seen as ok?

I don't mind taking baby with me but today, for example, it's absolutely pouring down here, so windy and I have had to take down 2 heavy bags. I don't mind nipping out in the rain myself but I've had to put socks and a coat on the baby for all of a 30 second trip. Anyone who has a baby will appreciate how wriggly they are and jacket and socks can take me 5 mins sometimes

I'd say fine, so long as you check and double check you lock the door behind you...and take your keys!!

I'd do it like you said it's just like going to the back garden

I do this too, first floor flat. Just make sure my keys are out in my hand as I leave!

I think this is fine. But someone less slack than me will be along soon.

I live in a flat with the bins out back, though I'm ground floor. And I have a 10mo DD.

As long as she can't exit your flat and get near the stairs, take your bleeding bins out!

I would do it but just as others have said make sure you have a fail safe method to not forget your keys and don't leave them loose on a bed or something!

I've done it. When ds1 was a newborn I used to have to take the carrycot part of the pram with sleeping baby up the stairs with a couple of bags of shopping and then quickly run down and get the wheels plus the remainder of the shopping. I was on the top floor, so 3 flights there and back.

I also take the rubbish out, fetch something from the car and hang washing out when the baby is asleep. We're on the 2nd floor now.

No different, imo, to going outside if you live in a house - probably less of a distance depending on the size of your house.

I'm not sure I would, but don't actually think there' anything wrong with you choosing to do it.
I would say, however, that you'll be gone far longer than 20 seconds!!

Yanbu. I lived in a top floor flat with a 16m and a newborn. To take out the rubbish and not leave them alone, I would have to have kicked/rolled something or someone down the 4 flights of stairs. Much safer and quicker all round that I just did it myself!

Honestly OP, I assume you wouldn't be leaving your baby surrounded by knives and choking hazards. In the 30 seconds (I'd propose it's closer to 90 ) it takes you to do is, she's probably safer being left behind than she would be being carried down the stairs while you're carrying bin bags, having to hold bins open etc.

apologies for defaulting to she...I have a girl so it's automatic

Thank you for your replies. I feel better about doing it now.

I'm another one that would do it and make sure I checked I had my keys first.

Been known to lock myself out in my pj's whilst putting rubbish in the front bins then having to leg it to a friends, jump on her bike and cycle to son at cadets to get other set!

I didn't do this when I was in a flat. Left bin bag by the front door for DH to take out in the morning. And started using washables to reduce the amount of rubbish (!)

But - to go against the grain - I'd leave the door ajar if I did. Hazards I foresee is fire or freak accident befalling me or baby. A locked door would make it hard for a neighbour to help (eg - if I heard a baby screaming in a flat with the door ajar I'd check on them - whereas I'd assume the adult had it in hand if I heard the same through a locked door).

It's probably no longer for you to run downstairs than for me to walk to my bin at the end of the garden & I wouldn't think twice about that.

I live up 2 flights of stairs and used to do it when dd was a baby but usually when she was asleep so she didn't start screaming the block down. It's not like you're popping to the pub for a few

You worry too much.

I would do that and I am a cautious type

Yanbu. Carrying a heavy mucky bin bag and a baby down stairs. Baby more at risk that way as id be worried re falling. Just make sure baby is in a safe location, no candles etc in and keys are in your hands....

Certainly for a pre-mobile baby, there is less chance of them coming to harm in the cot, than taking them on the stairs unnecessarily while managing rubbish bags. The chances are also favourable when they get more mobile.

My pre-schooler and toddler are left busying themselves while I take the rubbish to the road end if necessary.

I used to do this until I came back on e found my child distraught sobbing my name :( bins now wait until we leave in the morning.

Just be careful about the keys! It's not quite the same but when my DS was very young he shut me out of the house by slamming the front door behind me when I went out to the bins. No-one was home apart from us and no-one expected to be home for hours. I had no phone with me and was in my bare feet. He could crawl anywhere in the house. I hesitated only about ten seconds then took a brick (luckily the people next door were having some building work done) and smashed the front window! But you would not have that option in a first floor flat!

I'm pretty cautious too but I agree that it's probably safer to do what you suggest than attempt it with your baby.

You'll leave your baby safely, and check him the moment you get back. It'll be fine.

Yes to the keys. And possibly a spare set just in case of a crazily unforeseen mishap with the first set.