Babysitting newborn

[Maya212]

My baby is 13 days old. My mum wants to babysit her over night. I don’t mind if that’s what she wants but I don’t know if it’s way to soon for this? What do you think? I feel comfortable with it and my mum is ever so excited and is also amazing with my daughter! Just wanted some opinions

My LG is 9 months old and I wouldn't have her stay anywhere apart from home with us, probably until she's old enough to decide for herself.

I only have in laws that'd have her though, my family live 2 hours away.

Each to their own but I couldn't, so don't feel pressured into anything but if you're comfortable and happy to, why not

It would've been too soon for me but if you're comfortable with it then that's different. I've read that newborns need their mum, you were their home and they need to feel, smell and hear you to be comforted but I don't know how true that is. I assume your baby is bottle fed? I didn't breastfeed but I know at this early stage, it's hard to pump. You're supposed to wait until you've established your supply I think. Why do you want to do it? Do you need a break?

It isn’t about what your mum wants it’s about what is right for you and your baby. Personally it would be 100% no from me but I feel strongly that at that age my baby needed just me and as much as I was happy for people to hold him and visit I didn’t feel there was any benefit in being with anyone else at that age. If your happy for her to take her over night go for it, if your 100% against it say thanks but not yet and if your unsure say no until you know what your happy with

I would have LOVED for a family member to have my baby for a night at that age so that I could catch up on some sleep.

I think it's a personal choice.

@PsychoWiener hmm, yes it worries me that she’s going to want me in the middle of the night and I won’t be there!

She is bottle fed.

It’s not that I need a break or that I want to do it, my mum asked me if she could have her. My mum loves her! I said yes, without really thinking about it but now it’s coming closer to the time I’m having second thoughts. I trust my mum and I know she’ll be able to look after her and I feel completely comfortable with it but I just didn’t know if 2 weeks was too soon.

Personally id have sooner cut off my own arm and eaten it than been seperated from any of my babies at a few days old. We don't even seperate puppies from their mothers that early.

If youre seriously suffering from sleep deprivation and not coping then it is better than slipping into PND or having an accident due to exhaustion obviously.

Otherwise, if its just because your mum wants to play with the new family toy - no.

Could she stay over at yours and do night wakings while you're still around if your baby becomes distressed?

That'd be a sensible compromise.

Silly question but obviously you're bottle feeding? It'd kill breastfeeding stone dead to seperate and miss feeds so early.

@RainbowFlowers absolutely! I think my mum wants me to catch up on some sleep too, bless her. But, she’s also so excited to have her.

If you're having second thoughts, go with your gut. I remember I felt physically sick when I had to be away from my newborn and that was for 2 hours. I had a panic attack driving home. He was fine, fast asleep with his dad but I hated it.

Maybe your mum could babysit for a few hours during the day while you sleep or do whatever you want to relax? You've just gotta do whatever you're comfortable with.

@NotADomesticCat I have got signs of PND and my mum has been a massive support to me through it. I couldn’t have done these 13 days without her, to be honest.

I definitely wouldn’t refer to my daughter as “the new family toy” . My mum is amazing with her, loves her to pieces.

DS was 9 months when he stayed out and me and DH were 15 mins away in a hotel. He was fine. I wasn’t ready any earlier than that but it’s whatever you feel comfortable with. I was still finding my feet at 13 days and didn’t really even know what day it was haha.

13 days at home I should add - he was in NICU for 6 weeks before he came home.

Just ask mum to stay with you. That way she can help, you can catch up on rest and still be there if needed.

Read up on the 4th trimester if you haven't already. Newborns need their mums, they don't understand the concept of babysitting. I agree with the previous posters saying your mum can support you at home and enjoy babysitting later on

13 days old? Given the current situation I would be keeping my baby at home. If your mum wants to help she and stay overnight at yours .