How soon is too soon to leave baby with grandparents?

[Tryingtobe123]

Hi all

It is my boyfriends birthday in June when our son will be 11 weeks old. My parents who we trust 100% have offered to have him for a night so that we can have some drinks with our friends. I am formula feeding and he is generally a really relaxed happy baby.

I am apprehensive that I’ll feel anxious about leaving him when he’s that young but also know it will be lovely for him to spend time with my parents. When did you all leave baby with grandparents? Is this too early to be leaving him with them?!

My mom had my baby overnight when he was 10 weeks old. I was confident that she’d listen to me and follow his routine, and also confident that he’d be ok as he was in a really good place sleep-wise. It’s totally your call!
FWIW he has slept over there another 2 times since and always has a lovely time, plus he sees my mom at least once a week and is used to being at her house. So that may have helped.

I started having my grandchild overnight at 3 weeks old

DS stayed over at my in laws from 8 weeks. He was fine.
He's now 6 and still stays regularly and loves it.

How soon is too soon to leave baby with grandparents?

Sooner than you are ready to leave them.

If you are fine about it then you can leave them as soon as you like.

That's massively different for each person though, and can hugely depend on if BF or FF.

Personally I would have been well up for a few drinks out with friends with mix fed DC1 at nearly 3 months old being looked after for a few hours by loving grandparents. I might have got a bit iffy about leaving them overnight though.

DC2 who refused bottles I'm still waiting for a night out 3 years later.... (pandemic obviously not helping).

Separation anxiety does not typically start before 6 months, so as long as you are confident that the baby's needs will be met by their caregiver then leave them whenever you are ready, they will be fine.