How soon did you leave your baby with a sitter?

[Vizzle]

My beautiful girl is seven weeks old and has a colic whinge most evenings. Me and dad need a break!

We'd love to leave her for two hours and get a pint and talk at normal volume. I was thinking of getting a paid sitter in when she's 10 weeks (our family aren't nearby). Is it too soon? When did you leave yours? And did the thought of leaving a baby with someone else fill you with panic?

Questions, questions...

I left my DS after a week (it was our 1st wedding Anniversary)I wasnt 100% happy so I did what I could to make me feel more'easy' about it.

He was left with my MIL, we went for dinner at about 5pm (so we would be back to put him to bed and give him his bath) and the resturant was within walking distance of where we lived. TBH the thought of doing it was actually worse than the reality but that was because he was so little im much easier about it now.

So basically if your happy to do it then go for it.

I think you should do whatever feels right for you. But don't leave it too long. My DS is now 16 months, and I haven't had a night out since I was 4 months pregnant. My mom and MIL live near, and have said they'll be happy to have him 'when he's older'. I'm so very jealous of all of you who have managed to get your life back on track after having kids. My DP works all hours but thinks nothing of 'popping out with mates' straight after work. He 'needs a break'. Maybe I'm a doormat as I'm also the only one who's ever fed my child, gone to him in the night, bathed him, put him to bed etc etc. Hey Ho. He'll be starting school in 2.5 years. Maybe I'll get my life back then.......................

I left mine at one week but with my mum. Do what is right to you. Personally i think it doesn't matter how many weeks is your baby or if you go for 2 hours or for 3. The most important thing is who you leave her with. If you do your researh and hire an experienced nanny i don't see the problem.

GenerationGap did you leave yours from 4 weeks with family/friends though or a paid sitter from an agency type thing?

I left DS when he was 2 weeks to go to a birthday party but he's never been left with anyone I don't personally know. 1 cos I'm too cheap to pay for babysitting and 2 cos I've got loads of people willing to help me out so there doesn't seem much point.

Kerry, you poor thing. Can't your DP look after your DS for a night instead of going out with his mates. You need a break too. I thought I had a stressful job until I became a mum, so I know how much you'll need some time out (and a big glass if wine).

I have MiL living close by but don't trust her to look after DS as she would go out of her way to ignore what I say re DS' care. Lucky I'm a boring cow and not really into pubs anymore, but it would be nice to go for dinner or play tennis with DH etc.

Oh dear. Mine are 5 and 7, and have never been left with a sitter. We don't have local family either, so this does not do wonders for our social life!!

I left my daughter with my mum, mother-in-law, sister etc for short periods when she was a few weeks old - couldn't leave her for long as I was breastfeeding.

I think the things that made me feel happy about it were that I was only walking distance away, and it wasn't for long, and I trusted the people I had left her with.

HarryB. DP is 'busy' with work at mo. DS and I have seen him for about 5 hours out of the last month or so. Last time being 40 minutes at breakfast on Sunday. I'm lucky really, we don't 'need' anything. I've never been one for going out really, used to go straight home after long hours at work but I think it's just draining being 'sole carer' 24/7. Hope you got your high chair thing sorted.x

Three weeks (with my mum).

Three weeks old, I mean. Not for three weeks.