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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you have a babysitter for a 10 month old?

44 replies

Overthebow · 21/04/2021 22:02

Me and my DH have an activity on the same night. We have no family nearby to look after our 10 month DD. I was thinking of getting a babysitter, but is this too young? Where would we even find a good babysitter we can trust? And would any want to do one night per week?

OP posts:
Aliceandthemarchhare · 21/04/2021 22:03

I wouldn’t personally ... sorry.

NicolaDunsire · 21/04/2021 22:04

Do they wake regularly in the evening? If not then I would.

NicolaDunsire · 21/04/2021 22:04

And I would ask a friend with kids who you can return the favour for. I’ve never had a stranger babysit, always been someone I know.

Aprilshowersandhail · 21/04/2021 22:06

Look on Care. Com. You can request dbs /ask for references /interview /meet up /see reviews with potential baby sitters. I am on there and have had regular jobs and one - offs... Once for a baby I had not premet and they literally handed her over and went out. She was 10 months. We watched Frozen and she went to bed no trouble at all! Regular jobs also with proper interviews and refs checked. Reputable site if you use it properly op..

Couldhavebeenme2 · 21/04/2021 22:07

Nah. Leave 'em to it. Make sure you leave snacks and the Netflix password...

Blimey. Get a sitter, get out and enjoy yourselves. There are lots of ways you can find and introduce a sitter for/to your dc, may include some settling-in sessions, just like at nursery.

Original poster
Overthebow · 21/04/2021 22:08

@NicolaDunsire

Do they wake regularly in the evening? If not then I would.
No she usually goes to bed around 7.30pm and only tends to wake up after midnight. We would only need 2 hours from 7.30 until 9.30.
OP posts:
Original poster
Overthebow · 21/04/2021 22:08

@Aprilshowersandhail thanks I will have a look at that site

OP posts:
squee123 · 21/04/2021 22:10

I wouldn't only because my little one of a similar age isn't great with strangers and would be inconsolable if he woke up and neither of us were there.

Bellabelloo · 21/04/2021 22:10

I had sitters from about 3 months. I used an agency and they are vetted and trained in first aid etc. All of them were nannies or worked in nurseries.

luckymagnoliatree · 21/04/2021 22:10

Does she go to nursery at all? We have used ladies from our boys nursery/preschool to babysit before, the good thing about that is they know your little one and are first aid trained etc too.

Original poster
Overthebow · 21/04/2021 22:12

@luckymagnoliatree

Does she go to nursery at all? We have used ladies from our boys nursery/preschool to babysit before, the good thing about that is they know your little one and are first aid trained etc too.
That's a good idea. She starts nursery soon so may be a possibility.
OP posts:
giantwaterbottle · 21/04/2021 22:13

I personally wouldn't but mine wakes and would also be distraught if one of us wasn't there

CruCru · 21/04/2021 22:14

I used sitters.co.uk from about 5 months.

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 21/04/2021 22:15

I don’t think I could personally but I’m weird and have never left my DC with strangers. Mine all had separation anxiety at that age so would be devastated if they woke up to a stranger.

olderthanilookapparently · 21/04/2021 22:16

Yes the staff at nursery are perfect for this imo if it means you both get to have space on your own I would go if they are unlikely to wake up

hopingforabrighterfuture2021 · 21/04/2021 22:16

Absolutely I would, and did when mine were that age. You could ask friends for any personal recommendations, or anyone you know with young adult children currently at home if they have experience with babies. Failing that, a good agency like sitters or like minders etc is also a good idea.

Feelingconfused2020 · 21/04/2021 22:16

Nothing wrong with getting a babysitter. I would require them to be first aid trained and have some experience. Agree with pp that nursery is a good source. We had the daughter of an older pre school member of staff. She was a teenager but had first aid certificate and lots of experience plus I knew the family.

cookiecreampie · 21/04/2021 22:18

No I would never leave my kids with strangers. If I can't leave them with someone I know and trust then I don't go out, sorry. Don't know anyone who leaves their kids with babysitters either, however legit they are, only ever read about it on here.

ellesbellesxxx · 21/04/2021 22:21

Echo the suggestion of nursery staff! We used ours a few time pre covid and it was so reassuring as they knew them so well.
We also swapped babysitting with friends!

FurryGiraffe · 21/04/2021 22:22

Nursery is a good shout- we used various nursery keyworkers to babysit over the years. They've all been fab.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 21/04/2021 22:24

Once a week for 2 hours. I would say ask friends for recommendations, lots of older teens are perfectly capable of looking after a baby for 2 hours. They could come round first a few times with you there to get to know the baby first.

Goblin74 · 21/04/2021 22:26

My little boy is 9 and a half months. I personally wouldn't. But he only settled at night for me still so that's a big reason why.

JustLyra · 21/04/2021 22:27

Nothing wrong with a babysitter. Especially a regular one that gets to know the baby and their routine.

sipsmith1 · 21/04/2021 22:28

Our 10 month old has a baby sitter when I have evening meetings for work and my husband is away. We use her key worker from nursery (she does three mornings a week so knows very pretty well now). I’m happy now that having been here whilst she looks after her a number of times that I would go out once a month.

needadvice54321 · 21/04/2021 22:33

I would, but look for someone with experience with that age group ie a nursery worker etc. They should also be DBS checked and ideally first aid trained.

Does your LO attend nursery? If so, may be worth asking if anyone would like the extra work. Many years ago I used to babysit regularly for a couple of the children that I looked after at nursery

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