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Original poster

Leaving newborn overnight

48 replies

Fourleafclover93 · 06/10/2021 07:01

When did you leave your baby overnight with someone else?

DS is only 3 weeks but isn't a great sleeper and he's been unwell a few times (minor things like eye infection etc) which has meant he's been up every hour some nights.

Me and DH are so tired. Anyway we are going out for dinner when DS is almost 6 weeks. My parents will be watching him while we are out. We are really close to them, see them almost everyday, and have watched him for few hours.

Im considering asking them to have him overnight which I know they'll be delighted about so me and DH can get a good nights sleep. Parents said they will happily do it but my mum reckons I'll back out on the day saying I'm not ready to leave him.

Part of me feels really bad because most people I know wouldn't leave their baby for months potentially years.

Just wondered if anyone left their baby overnight at a few weeks? Did you regret it or feel better for being refreshed and catching up on sleep

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Original poster

Fourleafclover93 · 06/10/2021 07:07

In case it's not clear on my OP I am thinking of leaving him the night my parents are already watching him

OP posts:

MattyGroves · 06/10/2021 07:16

I didn't have anyone who would do this for me (also bottle refusing issues) but if I did I would go for it!

WisestIsShe · 06/10/2021 07:19

There's absolutely no reason not to leave him overnight with people he knows and who love him.

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aimss4777 · 06/10/2021 07:20

Go for it!!

Lazypuppy · 06/10/2021 07:23

We first did it at 8 weeks, the night sleep was bliss!

Morgan12 · 06/10/2021 07:23

I left my DS at 6 weeks and then my 2nd DS at 3 weeks.

The 3 week one was for a wedding that we had to travel to. It was hard but once I had a few drinks in me I relaxed.

Your DS will be with people he knows well and who love him. Go for it and enjoy the break.

MonkeyPuddle · 06/10/2021 07:23

I would absolutely do this.
You need sleep.
Go have a nice meal, no washing up and have a proper sleep.

CuriousBogInTheNight · 06/10/2021 07:26

The thing is, I think it then makes it harder to go back in to not sleeping again. It is a huge adjustment having a baby but your body does get used to the broken sleep. I think overall you are making it harder for yourself by having a "break" from it

Dollywilde · 06/10/2021 07:26

I would have done this if I had anyone who’d been willing!!

We left DD overnight for the first time just after she was one. I wound up getting pregnant with DC2 that night so if I were you I’d advise you use the time to sleep and nothing else 🙈🙈🙈

Slidesswingsandtears · 06/10/2021 07:27

Absolutely do it. You're leaving him with someone who knows and loves him, you get to recharge. Enjoy the break, the early days are relentless. My mum did this for me with dc2 from early days as I was by then a single parent and I needed it!

babouchette · 06/10/2021 07:30

I would have done this in a heartbeat if someone suitable had offered! My parents made it very clear they wouldn't be doing anything like that they claim not even to remember how to change a nappy! Can't blame them really.

Original poster

Fourleafclover93 · 06/10/2021 08:45

Thanks for the replies, feel so much better after reading them. Was expecting to get flamed for asking this

OP posts:

toomuchlaundry · 06/10/2021 08:51

Assuming you are not breastfeeding, can you and your DH take turns doing nights (wearing ear plugs if it helps)?

fastandthecurious · 06/10/2021 08:59

DS was 4 weeks when I left him with my mum for the night. She was delighted and I was exhausted. At 3 he stays every Friday while I work a night shift and it's been that way since he was like 6 months. I never felt guilty, i was knackered and I knew my baby was safe and cared for

LastToBePicked · 06/10/2021 09:03

I would have jumped at this if offered! No need to feel guilty!

girlmom21 · 06/10/2021 09:03

10 weeks for us. We had a wedding in a remote location so stayed overnight.

Dcrolo12345 · 06/10/2021 22:05

Go for it .... I wish I could of done it my anxiety was just too bad. I’ve still not left mine overnight at two years old 😭

BuffySummersReportingforSanity · 06/10/2021 22:09

I left mine with daddy overnight when he was about 3 weeks so I could get some more sleep and spend time with my older DC. I was breastfeeding, so I still had to get up and pump a few times, and I was only gone for about 12 hours total.

PetticoatSoldier · 06/10/2021 22:12

Absolutely do it! You'll feel like a new woman after a nights sleep, and it's nice to have some time where you and DH can go to bed and sleep at the same time.

AliasGrape · 06/10/2021 22:17

DD is 14 months, I recently left her overnight with her dad for work, never left her with anyone else though. BUT don’t really have anyone that has that kind of closeness with us/ her that has offered, so that’s why.
My sister would happily have her overnight I’m sure but lockdowns plus distance plus general circumstances mean DD is only just getting comfortable with her/ at her house. We do see my in-laws more regularly and DD is close to them, but they wouldn’t be comfortable doing an overnight and wouldn’t offer.

In your case there’s no reason not to if you think it will help you both and your baby and your parents are all happy with it. BUT if it gets to the day and you don’t feel ready that’s fine too! I absolutely wouldn’t have been ready at that stage, and hated the implied pressure sometimes that I should be doing more/ ready to leave her more than I was. If you are ready though, that’s great and absolutely you should go for it.

HelenaJustina · 06/10/2021 22:22

Ex SiL left DH’s niece overnight for the first time when she was 5 weeks. Then did so weekly from then on, alternating between grandparents.

I exclusively breastfed (from the breast, too idle to pump) so didn’t leave DC overnight until they were over 1yr.

Clymene · 06/10/2021 22:26

I couldn't have done because it made me anxious if they were out of my sight for more than 30 minutes plus I breastfed.

But it sounds like you're perfectly happy leaving him anyway and you're not breastfeeding so I don't see why not.

Nanananani · 06/10/2021 22:26

I wouldn’t have been able to, I went out for dinner at a similar point and was literally desperate to get home after a couple of hours.

Assuming bottle fed could you get one of them to stay at yours and do the night shift instead?

spaceghetto · 06/10/2021 22:41

I hope you have a lovely evening and sleep. Like you said your parents will be delighted too so everyone is happy!

nancybotwinbloom · 06/10/2021 22:45

My sister had my Dd at four weeks. Because I trusted her I implicitly.

Only for a night.

I was anxious but I knew my dd was fine.

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