When did you first leave your baby?

[roseswade]

Out of interest, when did you first leave your baby for a few hours, even just with your partner?

I have a 4 week old and it hasn’t crossed my mind to leave her for any period of time yet (still in a newborn bubble and not had anywhere to go!)

My neighbour invited myself and a couple of other friends over this week for the evening and it suddenly dawned on me that I wouldn’t be with my DD. I’ve politely declined as I’m not fully up to it (had a c section and still recovering) but I also didn’t like the idea of being separated from my DD.

Just got me thinking at what point people felt comfortable being away from their children? I know everyone is different so interested to hear answers!

I left 3 month old with my partner to go the shops. I've let mil take her for a couple walks in the pram. When she was 17 months I left her for 2-3hrs with mil for a doctors appointment. I sleep over my grandparents for 3 days every 2 to 3 weeks and regularly leave her with them to go do my own thing in the other rooms. I've never properly left her to go partying, out for meals and only rarely left the house she is in. I dont like to. If you feel ready and trust the babysitters then go for it, everyones ready at different times. For me I get a lot of shit for let leaving her enough but idc

1st was almost 7mth when I had to go back to work, over night almost a year old. The younger ones it's got older and older. Our twins I had to leave for an hour to go to hospital with cs infection at 2wk old and I hated every second of it. I'll miss them when I go in to hospital to have current baby, hoping I'll only be in the 1 night.

There is no right or wrong. Ds1 was about 3 weeks when I left him with my MIL as my car broke down. Ds2 was about 3 months but he was very unwell so I was nervous of parting with him. Dh had him though. Ds3 was left with dh while I did shopping etc from about 3 weeks. He went to the childminder at 3 months here and there as I had to go back to work when he was 8 weeks old. DH had him when I worked though. All 3 are generally with me most of the time though. Ds1 is 9.5 years old and has only stayed away overnight a handful of times.

1 week old for 2 nights. Saw them during the day for a few hours as I was in hospital.

At 11mo, for 24 hours. Didn't do it again for about another 6 months after that.

Other than a handful of medical appointments that he couldn’t attend, I’ve been to have my nails done once

He’s 16 months 🙈🙈🙈

[quote VienneseWhirligig]@Maggiesfarm I disagree - why can't you leave a little baby overnight? I did, he was with his grandparents and aunt, he was safe and loved. It was no different from him waking up from a nap at nursery and seeing his keyworker. He was at nursery from 3 months, no separation anxiety. My parents took him on holiday for a few days at 6 months as well. All babies are different so bit of a blanket statement to say you can't leave any tiny babies.[/quote]
Agree that all babies are different. Mine was breastfed and I couldn't express so I couldn't leave him overnight. Separation anxiety doesn't usually start until 6 months, and if the babysitter is someone who regularly cares for the child so they have a bond, then the child will usually be okay. Overnight can still be different to daytime though, if an older baby or toddler is expecting to wake up and their parent to be there then they could be upset. Like you said, depends on the child.

My first, on day 5 I think, my husband sent me to bed for a few hours and took baby to meet some friends.

Second, not a clue. Life was too chaotic to remember

[quote VienneseWhirligig]@Maggiesfarm I disagree - why can't you leave a little baby overnight? I did, he was with his grandparents and aunt, he was safe and loved. It was no different from him waking up from a nap at nursery and seeing his keyworker. He was at nursery from 3 months, no separation anxiety. My parents took him on holiday for a few days at 6 months as well. All babies are different so bit of a blanket statement to say you can't leave any tiny babies.[/quote]
👏👏

@VienneseWhirligig completely agree with your post