Leaving baby with family

Is it too soon to leave a 5 month old with a trusted family member for a few hours during the day? We’ve arranged for my sister in law to have her for a few hours tomorrow, she’s so good with her and we can trust her with baby, but this is the first time I’m leaving her and won’t be in the same house and I’m so nervous. I know I don’t need to be because like I said I trust my sister in law I’m just so nervous. Any advice?

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You could sleep with a muslin so she can smell you and feel comforted. I left my boy with my mum for the first time for a few hours the other day same age, and it was absolutely fine. It’s scary the first time but a few hours isn’t long and baby will most likely nap during that time so she wont feel like it’s been a long time! You got this xx

My dad took my daughter for the night for the first time ever when she was about 15 months and it was aooo scary but now I know she’s fine I can happily do it again if need be, it’s just that first time is scary and that’s fine to be scared. Maybe ask if you can have updates to put your mind at rest

It's not too early if you are happy to do it.

There’s no right or wrong answer. I had to go back to work at 6 months so was doing settling in mornings at that stage. With my second it was easier to ask for help so I could take my son to his various activities or parents evening. First time is always the hardest. It will get easier.

There’s no right or wrong so long as you’re comfortable. I left my first baby with my mum for a couple hours when he was only like 2 months old so I could go for a meal for my birthday. Everyone needs a little break sometimes too. It’s totally okay if you DONT want to leave them and it’s also totally normal to be scared and nervous about it. I spent the entire time I was away constantly asking how he was and for mum to send photos 🤣 Just do what you’re comfortable with

There's no right or wrong we first did it at 4 weeks for 6 hours with my partners cousin and then the same week my sil had him for a sleepover that lasted 23 hours in total. We needed a break as our son was poorly with seizures I wasn't sleeping or eating properly my partner wasn't either and we needed time to reset ourselves. My sil is highly trained in infant cpr and well versed in infant seizures so I completely trusted her and it's a 5 mins drive door to door if something were to happen etc. If you feel ready go for it if you don't don't! But each time it does get easier I will add that x

Is very hard to leave them when they are little! But it gets easier with time. Plan some checkpoint video calls or ask her to send you some pictures

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