Leaving baby alone in another room

[Captaincalamaris]

How long would you hypothetically leave a 4 month old baby on a play mat (not a pen) whilst you were in another room and they were out of sight? Having this argument with DH.

I wouldn't have left mine at all at that stage unless they were contained I.e. strapped into bouncy chair or in play pen and even then only for a couple of minutes. You can just... pick them up and take them with you?

This! It's very small and very dependent.

They need to be with someone, day and night (even if that person is sleeping), but a few minutes here and there is ok. I would have a proper supportive chair or mat, though.

If they can roll, possibly. A cot and playpen can contain them. Both of mine were rolling like mad by four/five months, and I would not have felt comfortable leaving them on the floor.

I put them in their cot if I was having a shower and in the playpen if we were downstairs and I needed to go to the kitchen, laundry room etc. Big fan of using the playpen.

I wouldn’t take them with me if I was having a shower or going to the toilet

@Parker231 I did, just took bouncy chair into bathroom 🤷‍♀️Mine would have cried if left alone long enough for me to shower. But each to their own as long as the baby is safe.

It’s not a lack of common sense but a natural consequence of today’s blame culture. Everything is always somebody’s fault and if something happens to a baby the first question asked of the mother is “why weren’t you watching them properly?”

Where does one find these placid babies? Both of mine would have protested loudly at 4 months if I left their eyesight for any more than a couple of minutes.

5-10minutes if it was a safe environment and they weren't crying. Quick shower for example. Not 20 minutes though

For the mums who have said they use play pens, can I ask which one you use/would recommend? My baby is 5 months old now and never considered this rather than her just play on the floor it may be a better option!

About a minute between popping my head round to check, but as long as they're happy before picking them up.

This! Bloody brilliant. Look on Facebook marketplace etc because I only had mine for about 6 months then sold it on there.

Amazing thank you! X

You're all bloody bonkers, no wonder your kids can't be left alone for 5 mins, taking them into the shower with you in a chair?
No wonder they struggle when they go to school

Mine never struggled at school, university or in adult life. They were secure.

Clearly I am at the other end of the spectrum because a 4mth baby I'd leave for a few minutes without even thinking about it / having zero concerns.

We had a huge one which was passed around the extended family. Almost used it from day one to let the babies nap without the dog waking them up. Then used it to give the dog a break from crawling toddlers. Popped them in the playpen or cot whilst I had a shower or sorted the washing, loaded the dishwasher etc

Doesn’t hurt them to cry - no way was I taking DT’s into the bathroom whilst I had a shower when they could go into their cots. What did you do when you went to the toilet?

@Parker231 I brought him with me and laid him on changing mat on the floor or carried bouncy chair into the bathroom. Maybe doesn't do them harm to cry but I preferred to avoid it when I could. J imagine it's totally different ballgame with twins tho and I'm not being judgy if anyone who did things differently tk me. Just saying what I did.

You were not.

How often does he have her on his own? And what is he doing when he does?

5 mins, although I would happily go and do a task in the next room for 20 mins or so while popping in and out to check on them.

Incidentally this is how I learn DD had learned to army crawl when she was 5 months- left her on her bedroom floor while I went to the loo and came back and she was in the hall! Lived in a flat so it wasn’t too much of a worry thankfully

My child is fine at school thanks. At least he's not as rude as you.

I popped mine in their cot at that age for more than a minute or two. Flat so less awkward I suppose

Your husband sounds mental to me! I’d never leave my baby at that age for more than a few seconds (aka to grab something like you said). 20 minutes is actually concerning to me. Different if they were in a cot or something! Although even then I wouldn’t do it if they were awake.