What age did you leave your baby for the first time overnight?

[rozm2400]

My daughter is currently 14 Months and after a very tricky pregnancy, we have both been very attached. She was born early, after my water breaking at 31 weeks and having to have injections to help her lungs grow. I think that’s part of my fear now with separation. She’s 14 months and barely left my site, the odd 2-4 hours here and there with her dad should I have needed to do urgent work. She will go to my mum but only in small spouts and is very clingy to me and the home. She likes very familiar things and regular breastfeeding, how ever at this point, she’s eating full meals and it’s just comfort. It’s my sisters hen do in August and it’s a two night stay which I’m dreading. Baby still feeds several times through the night and finds it very difficult to be away. I also have major anxiety about been gone for more than a few hours. I guess my question is, what age did you leave your little one for a two night break and am I making the right decision? I don’t feel I can get out of hen do but also don’t feel ready to leave her!

I left my eldest when he was 10 months for two night but only with DH. He too was breast fed and feeding through the night. I expressed as much as I could leading up to going. The first night he woke up, refused to take the bottle and went back to sleep. The second night he slept through. The other two were probably around 3 or 4 years old.

Depends on which DC, would have left them for at least one night by 6 months old.

Most likely to sleep at grandparents so DH and I could have a night away but think I left DC3 with DH for a few nights for my sister's 30th.

Although it's nice how close you are with your babies, ultimately, it's better for them to feel safe with other trusted people. If you feel anxiety, your daughter may also, I wouldn't want that to continue for her, its good for her to feel safe and relaxed when its just her and dad or gp overnight.

About 16 months for one night but he was with DH at home , I didn't drink so I could drive home if necessary. More recently we had a huge bathroom leak which resulted in a rip out and replace, DH could get some time off at short notice, I couldn't, so he took DS to stay with his parents for 3 nights until the worst of the building work was done and we had rudimentary bathing facilities back in place. DH is very much a co-parent and I have no concerns leaving DS with him, and whilst my mum looks after him during the day when we are at work a couple of days a week I wouldn't leave him with my parents or PIL for more than one night it just doesn't feel right yet and the over time each of them have had him overnight it's been at our home. DS is 2.5.

My son was 2.5. My husband and I went on a weekend away. I was a mess before we went, I was sooooo close to cancelling but my mother (who was looking after him) persuaded me to stick to it. Honestly, the thought was worse than the deed and I actually had a wonderful time and it helped me realise that I can be separate from him and us both survive! It was actually good for me because I was perhaps overly attached in that sense. Having said all that, I wasn't breastfeeding at the time. I can see how that makes it trickier for you. Could you have some trial nights where her dad puts her to bed and tends to her in the night to see how she gets on? I think if you can get to a place where you feel fairly confident she will be settled without you then you should go and have some fun!

8 months when I had emergency surgery to save my life and a longish hospital stay. Luckily my mum cared for her when DH visited me in hospital. Through choice think she’s was 2 and a half ish and I went on a friends birthday weekend.

I left my first when he was 12 weeks to go on a 4 day hen do in Miami.
It was brilliant, husband had great time with baby etc.

But we live on an island where the nearest city is Miami so going anywhere means an overnight stay.

My kids are more fussed about us leaving them now they're 9&7 to be honest and I worry about them more because they can tell us they miss us. When they were babies they couldn't give a shit! 😂

Only do what your comfortable with, and nobody should judge you for making a choice that's right for you.

I left him with DH for two nights the first time (for work) when he was 7 months - his first night away from us both he was 2.5, and that was only because I was giving birth to his brother! I've never thought of him being with DH as leaving him or been anxious about it (though I have always missed them both when I've been gone!), perhaps because we did shared parental leave so by that first trip I was back at work and DH was caring for DS1 at home all day.

Mine are a couple of weeks off being 5 years and 2 years and I've never left them overnight. I just don't feel the need to, and have never had the situation when I've actually needed to.

God knows what I'll be like when it does happen though!

At 6 week when I went into hospital for two nights. He stayed with my mum. After that it was once a month or so for an overnight stay.

I’ve never left my two; they’re 8 and nearly 5. My second Labour was 2 hours and I was out that afternoon. I haven’t really had the opportunity tbh, plus DS2 was BF until he was 4.

My eldest was 8 weeks old when I left her overnight with her dad. My best friend of 20 years was getting married and I couldnt not be there for her. My youngest is 15 months and has never been left due to covid. When its safe to do so and my parents are vaccinated they are dying to get their hands on her and she will definitely have a sleepover with nana and grandad!

But that's what I am comfortable with. You should do what you are comfortable with.

About 8 months, we went away for a friends 30th but I insisted my parents stayed at ours so he was at home in his bed

DD is 2.5 and I've only left her twice, for 1 night each time. First was an unavoidable work trip at 10 months and she was still waking up a lot at night so that was quite stressful. My parents stayed with her and I felt bad that they had to get up every 2-3 hours to prepare formula. I was also still breastfeeding a lot so my overarching memory of that trip is trying to pump and dump breast milk using a Haakaa in various toilets

The second time was two weeks ago and things were much better. DD is used to daytime napping at my parents house so the night was uneventful and she didn't seem to miss me at all. (I'm one of those mums who would be overjoyed to get more time away...trying to stretch her to 2 days soon and a whole week by summer where DH and I have a couples only holiday planned)

We first left our son overnight when he was nearly 4 months. He was with my mum. Everything I did I learnt from her, it was I'll do it like this because that's how my mum done it. So I wasn't worried at all.

It was New Year's Eve, my favourite night of the year, and her and my stepdad happily offered as they were at home with my brother and sister anyway. It was lovely to enjoy the night just my husband and I.

My son was in hospital for 12 days after he was born, in NICU for 3 days then SCBU for the rest of the time. But even that didn't make me find it hard to leave him. I knew he would be perfectly fine. And he was exclusively formula fed so that wasn't a concern either

Never have done.But they've gone now, oldest being 40..

3 years old

I haven't yet, they are 4 later this year.

First child was about 14 months (work trip), second much clingier child I think was 3.5y.

My first when he was three and my second is four and haven't had a night away from her yet. Nothing has really tempted me away from her yet. If there was something I really wanted to do that involved a night then I would and they would be happy to be left. So if you really want to go to this then go but if the feeling of not wanting to leave baby yet is stronger then don't go.

Technically about 5 days when I got rushed back into hospital with complications and had 3 nights away from her. Was awful, right over mother's day too. But she was with dad, my dp.

She's not stayed over anyone else's yet and she's nearly 14 months. One side of grandparents keep asking to have her but she not ready. She ends up in our bed a lot of nights and won't settle otherwise and I don't want her Co sleeping with anyone but me. My Dp has only done it a few times (I'm always the one the keep check and we spoon so she's safe)
We have a night away booked in October though for a show, so I might have her stay over then, or I might cancel the hotel and come back after. Will need to see.

Hopefully she settles more on her own soon so won't rely on Co sleeping.

I had to leave dd for 2 nights with DH at 3 to attend a funeral. We briefly considered all traveling but she really hated the car and it was a 10 hour drive home me way.

I think if you have a fourteen month old you can definitely get out of this no problem - it's just a hen do it's not actually important

18 weeks. Had to fly to New York to see my father regarding important family matter.

I never have. DD is 2y7m. I'm no martyr, i just don't want to - it's just not how our family life has worked out if that makes sense.

Boggled-eyed at some replies here at either end (bar hospital).

OP, you’re a parent and now you get to do you. It doesn’t matter what all of us internet strangers say, it’s what is alright with you x