Leaving baby overnight??

[Naomi]

When was (or did you ever) leave your baby overnight for the first time?

This is not an issue for us, I can't see that we'll be doing it any time in the near future as he is still a bit hit-n-miss with sleeping and settling and I just don't feel ready to leave him, but we have friends who left their baby (13 months old) for the first time on the weekend and it went very well.

[MissieK]

The first time we left Nat he was 20 months. Zaccy was about 16 months old. Mum & Dad wanted to make sure they were sleeping through the night & not wanting to be breastfed!

Zaccy was younger because Nat needed an operation.

Melissa

[shelli]

I think that all my kids have been under 1 year of age when I have left them for the night. It was really easy with the first two, because my in-laws were perfect!! Well, I thought they were, anyhoo. Mum is a real mother hen.

I know kids who have never spent a night away from their parents and are really clingy....no thanx!!

shelli

[Jewly]

When Zac was a baby, I left him overnight with my mother when he was probably under 1 and in the past I have babysat a friend's baby when she was only 6 months old and she was perfect for me. You have to have someone who has a close relation with the child though, so make things go more smoothly.

[Princesschrichar]

Miss now 3 was left when she was 13 weeks old and sleeping through the night. My husband organised my sister to look after our princess for the night. I think I called about 7 times in the first two hours lol And woke at 7am wondering if she was awake yet (She was sleeping through the night by then as she was bottlefed - long story there...). But she coped far better than I did.

Miss now 2 was just 6 months old when I was rushed to hospital and spent 5 days there. My mother stepped in then. Miss now two coped very well. However, we left her again for two nights with my mum when she was 13 months and she missed us terribly.

I think if you need a break or want some time out then do it before they're 10 months old. For older bubs close family or friends is the only way to go more for your peace of mind than anything else :)

[Sammy]

Tristan would have been about 1 when we left him overnight and Holly who is aged 21 months has never been left overnight.

[Leigh]

Hayden and Emily would have been under 1 when we left them over night (I think) Katelyn I think I have left her, but can't be sure :blush:
I wouldn't leave them with just anyone tho. They have only every stayed with Jake's parents. They haven't lost or maimed one yet, so they must be ok :P

[Julia]

I've never left mine for the night. I don't think I could do it.

My husband's mother has started coming over here every couple of months to give us a night off & the one & only time we went out I cried my eyes out. I'm okay leaving them when I have to go to work, but I felt awful leaving them so I could go out & have fun. Stupid I know. Mind you, this Friday she's coming over & I cannot wait to go out. But in all honesty I'm just not emotionally ready to leave them for a whole night. They're used to daycare, so they'd be fine...but I wouldn't enjoy myself.