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March 2016 Moms
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A babysitter for newborn

elledriver88elledriver88 member
in March 2016 Moms
My husband and I were given gift cards for restaurants and theatres at our baby shower and as DD is 4 weeks old now we thought we would go out for a date night. We have many offers from people who want to babysit which is great because we don't have much family in the area!

DD sleeps all day long so when she visits with our friends she sleeps right through it. She has had several visits with one friend in particular who has held her and fed her multiple times, but I doubt she would recognize her while awake as most of her waking hours are in the middle of the night.

Do newborns care if they do not recognize the person they are with? I'm sure every baby is different but I am wondering if I should expose her more to my friend before she is left with her. Just to clarify this has nothing to do with my trust in my friend, I just want them to be comfortable together.

Also... Am I just being paranoid??
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Re: A babysitter for newborn

  • ClaireBear90ClaireBear90 member
    It's normal to be a little paranoid with your first. ;) (And sometimes your second, third, fourth, haha.)

    We started leaving DD for date nights at around 4 weeks. I was breastfeeding, so we were never gone for long at all . . . just an hour or two at a time in the beginning. We made it a weekly thing and never had any issues with her not wanting to be left until she was a toddler. :) I'm sure your baby will do great!
    It's a boy! Born 42 weeks, 2 days.
    Pregnancy Ticker
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  • elledriver88elledriver88 member
    Thanks, my worry is that she will miss us but really my issue is probably that I will miss her lol. Do you think if she wakes up and finds she is with someone she doesn't know (or doesn't think she knows) she would be upset? I want things to go smoothly for both baby and babysitter.
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  • arcanejinxarcanejinx member
    Even though she may not visually recognize her-having held her and fed her your DD should recognize your friends smell. Perhaps for the first time out instead of doing a longer date you and your hubby go for an hour or so-take a walk, get some ice cream. Slowly build up the time, so you feel comfortable-honestly at her age it is more about Mom and Dad feeling ok than baby. Don't feel bad about calling to check in-I've had parents call me every 20 minutes the first time they left their child, and they were just in another room in the center. Also let them know you guys can come back anytime and not feel bad if they feel like they need Mom/Dad to make baby happy again. Sometimes only Mom/Dad will do!

    When we get smaller children at work (youngest we took care of was 3 weeks-Mom and Dad went to the gym nearby for half an hour-so she was there 45 minutes) everyday for a few weeks (helped with baby blues), when she did wake up Mom and Dad left blankets that they wore over their shoulders so their smell was on them. Her vision isn't all that developed yet-and being in her own house/surroundings, things will still be smelling the same.
    DD: Beatrix Louise aka BeeBop. April 2 2016. H.I.E Warrior <3
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  • amaniupendoamaniupendo member
    It'll be okay! Just plan on a quick date. 
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  • irenewsleeirenewslee member
    Generally babies do recognize the voice of the parents, especially the mom. But I don't think separation anxiety happens that soon.  With DD, I would leave her with my mom during the first two months so I could go to doctor appointments, massages and what not.  Of course those were all quick trips (no more than an hour and a half to two hours) as I was breastfeeding but I never had problems with her missing me. I would pump before I left the house in case she got hungry, or feed her right before. 
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