How to Prepare for the First Time Away from Your Baby
Whether you’re a first-time mom, or you’ve recently welcomed a new addition to your family, leaving your baby with a caregiver for the first time is a big step in your motherhood journey. No matter if you are leaving for a date night, some well-deserved me-time, or a weekend away, leaving your baby can be an emotional journey. Here are some tips for how to prepare yourself, your baby, and your caregiver for your first time away.
How to Prepare Yourself for Your First Time Away
Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful way to feed your baby, and if you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you’ve probably realized how challenging it can be to leave your baby for any extended period of time. Regardless of where you are in your breastfeeding journey, preparing to leave your baby requires some planning. Start by determining how many feedings your little one will miss and plan what milk will be fed to your baby. If there is only a limited amount of breastmilk available is there a formula that may be used to supplement? Ensure your caregiver knows your baby’s feeding schedule including how many ounces to put in each bottle, to minimize wasted milk and ensure your baby’s needs are met.
Choose someone you trust as a caregiver:
Choosing a caregiver for your baby is a big decision, and it’s essential to pick someone you trust completely. If you’re lucky enough to have family nearby, that can be a huge blessing, but if not, it’s important to create your own support system. Reach out to trusted friends, or hire an experienced babysitter you feel comfortable leaving your baby with. Taking time to build your support system will give you peace of mind when you are ready to leave your baby. For more tips on creating a support system, read our blog building a pregnancy support system.
Create a schedule:
Take some time to reflect on how long you are planning on being away from your baby and create a schedule around that time frame. This will help you feel more organized and confident about leaving your baby. That way you’ll know how many bottles to prepare, how many diapers to have available, how many naps your caregiver will need to know about, and more. Creating an accurate schedule will help ensure your baby’s routine stays as consistent as possible.
Take a deep breath:
Leaving your baby for the first time can be an emotional experience. No one can care for your baby the way you can, but accept that your trusted caregiver will keep your baby safe and well cared for. You absolutely deserve to have time away from your baby, and with a little planning, everyone will be fine!
How to Prepare Your Baby for Your First Time Away
Do a trial run:
Invite your caregiver over and sneak away to do a load of laundry or run a quick errand. This way you will see how your baby reacts to being without you. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly, and your baby becomes more comfortable spending time with other people. It also gives you the opportunity to address any issues that may arise in your absence, like your baby’s willingness to take a bottle.
Practice saying goodbye:
If you have an infant, the act of saying goodbye will likely not be an issue, but you will be able to gauge their ability to separate from you. Gradually working through small periods of separation can help ease both you and your baby’s anxiety before you’re away for a longer period of time. Little steps, like brief goodbyes or short breaks, can make the eventual longer separation feel more manageable for both of you.
Identify your baby’s favorite items and stock up on them:
You may have noticed your baby’s favorite food, if they are eating solids, their comfort items, or their favorite toy. Make sure you have their favorite items stocked up so your baby and caregiver can be as comfortable as possible. Leave these items out where your caregiver can easily locate them.
How to Prepare Your Caregiver for Your First Time Away
Give them a detailed schedule of you and your baby’s schedule:
Once you know the length of time you will be away from your baby, you will be able to accurately share your baby’s schedule with your caregiver. For example, note the amount of milk, frequency of feeds, and time your baby usually needs a bottle. Similarly, include nap times, bedtime routines, and any other essential details, like what time these events should happen. The more thorough you can be, the fewer questions your caregiver will have.
It’s also helpful to note your baby’s temperament and typical moods so your caregiver understands what’s normal behavior from your baby. This can help them respond appropriately if your baby seems fussy or unsettled. Things that may seem small to you—like a specific way your baby likes to be rocked or a favorite song—might be very helpful for your caregiver.
Along with your baby’s schedule, make sure to share your own. Let your caregiver know when they can expect your return, the best way and time to reach you, and where you’ll be. This helps eliminate any uncertainties and allows your caregiver to focus their time and energy to care for your baby without unnecessary distractions.
Share your emergency contacts:
While it’s unlikely anything will go wrong, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Make a list of trusted emergency contacts, including your pediatrician, for your caregiver if something happens. Keep the list somewhere where your caregiver easily reference and create a protocol for what to do if you cannot be reached. Of course, leave a list of any known allergies, medications, or specific preferences your baby might have.
Preplan activities or prepare bottles/food:
You know what your baby likes to do and play with, make sure your caregiver has easy access to those things. If there is somewhere, like a park or a play area, that your baby likes, make sure to leave the address and the time you usually go for your caregiver. To make it easy for your caregiver, make sure your bottles are clean, plan for what milk will be provided, and if appropriate your baby’s favorite meal is prepped. If your caregiver is unfamiliar with proper breastmilk storage guidelines, print out our free downloadable and place on the fridge for your caregiver to easily reference.
Trust your Instincts
You know when you are ready to leave your baby for the first time. Do not let anyone pressure you into leaving your baby if you are not comfortable. Trust your instincts and make the decision when it feels right for you. Take your time finding a caregiver you trust and do a couple of practice runs if that helps to ease your anxiety.
Connect with other moms or family members to get some advice for how they navigated leaving their baby for the first time. If you are planning to use a babysitter or a nanny, ask for advice on how they compensated their caregiver or ways to make the caregiver feel comfortable and supported. Having these conversations can give you more confidence in your decision and help create a smooth transition for everyone.
Preparing for Leaving Your Baby - You Got This!
Leaving your baby for the first time can sound daunting, but it can be healthy for you and your baby. It is completely normal to have reservations about leaving your baby for the first time and those feelings are part of the process. Remember, babies are incredibly adaptable, and the trusted people in your life are eager to support you by spending time with your baby. You deserve to have time for yourself – whether it’s spending time with your partner, friends, or some much-needed alone time. With a little planning and prep work, leaving your baby for the first time will be a seamless process.
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