1 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - Are you ready for a babysitter?

ow will I know when I'm ready to leave my baby with a sitter?

This is a very personal decision, so you'll need to figure it out on your own. But it may help to talk to other parents and find out what they're doing, so you can feel comfortable with your decision.

Whether it's your first-ever separation or you're leaving your child with a caregiver daily when you go to work, trusting your baby to another's care is never easy for any parent. But sooner or later, every mother or father has to get past his or her anxiety since none of us can be expected to care for our child 100 percent of the time.

In order for you to feel comfortable leaving your baby with a caretaker, it's important to get her accustomed to being cared for by someone else. And it's wise to start this process relatively early, before separation anxiety sets in, so it's less difficult for all of you. If your baby recognizes right from the get-go that when you go away for a while you always come back, her distress and your guilt will be hugely diminished.
How do I get my baby used to my leaving?

Begin with short periods of time away, about 15 minutes to start. Then gradually work up to longer periods. This will help your baby get used to your being gone, and she'll soon learn to trust that you'll be back.

If possible, try letting your partner handle a feeding while you leave the house for a little while. (The first few times you might just take a short walk or run a quick errand.) This will help him bond with your baby. And if you're breastfeeding, this will mean teaching your baby to take a bottle of pumped or expressed breast milk — something that will help greatly with longer absences in the future.


How do I ease the separation?

Try not to let your child pick up on any feelings of apprehension. If you're worried, she'll pick up on your anxiety and then she'll feel anxious too.

Treat brief separations casually — don't get worked up or linger over saying goodbye, for example — and your baby will learn that that there's nothing to worry about. And if she's happy, you're happy.

Remember, you not only deserve but need to have a little time to yourself. And don't count time spent at work as time spent alone. If you work, you'll still need occasional time away to exercise, see friends, or spend an evening with your partner.

Of course you'll miss your baby, and you may feel guilty about going, but take it easy on yourself. If you find that you feel so guilty that it interferes with your ability to enjoy your time away, try leaving your baby with someone she's already familiar with — this will help ease separation anxiety for both of you.

Posted in: 1 MONTH OLD