What age would you leave children alone for a couple of minutes with a 6 month old

[Dappymummy]

Silly question really but looking after a friends baby and my own Dc's 5 and 8 who are pretty sensible. Changed babies nappy and left him on mat on floor for a couple of minutes at most to wash my hands and left my 2 cooing over him. I am anxious about looking after a baby again and suddenly wondered if this was irresponsible. When I came back in the room the baby was happy and smiling.

To wash your hands, and on the floor (not a high surface) I would say fine.

Depends on the children I suppose, but I would happily go wash my hands and leave 7mo DD with her 3 and 9 year old cousins, and would have at 5mo.

Well, my 4mo is often laid on his playmat and I potch on with dishes/laundry etc and 3yo DD is in the lounge with him. We live in a small flat, all on one level, so am never more than a room away and npt really for more than a few minutes.

Ive never thought of it as something to worry about tbh.

Totally dependent on the child. The description you've given of sensible over fives seems fine to me.

I often leave my now 12weeks old in bouncy chair with 4yr old in lounge while I get dressed, sort washing, cook lunch etc I don't leave when baby on playmat as 4yr old likes to lean over him to play with him on mat n I worry he will fall on him in my absence

I had an 18 month gap and would leave my two together in the sitting room when I was in the kitchen or dining room from the youngest one's birth. All on the same level, door open, no TV or radio so I could hear what was going on. The younger child seemed to survive (she's nearly 6 now). You don't have to be in the same room the whole time.

Oh gosh I leave my baby with DD (2.5) all the time for things like that - washing hands, getting something from upstairs etc. Maybe that's irresponsible, but it would be hard to not leave leave together alone at all. You're more cautious when it's not your own though I think.

Depends on the child. My 3.5yo DD is brilliant with my 6mo DS. She plays with him (very gently and appropriately), lets me know if the kittens go near him and seems to understand basic safety instructions like never covering his face with a blanket (he has pulled his blanket up and she has alerted me immediately). So I do leave them together out of sight for a few minutes at a time, but I can always hear what is happening.

Why would you NOT leave them? It never would have occurred to me to ask.

A younger child may not have a full understanding of what might hurt a baby, e.g. the child might try to lift the baby without supporting the head and may drop the baby by accident. A young child's idea of helping may also be dangerous, e.g. the child may try stop a baby from crying by covering its mouth, all in an effort to help. A young child may also not understand when a baby is putting himself in danger, e.g. about to roll off a surface.

All of these are 'may', it still depends on the child and the circumstances.

A six month old Booboo? Most six month olds can support their heads and wouldn't take kindly to being picked up unsafely.

For a very short time in a safe environment (e.g. on the floor as said) it should be fine.