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Is it ok to leave a newborn with a sitter for 4-5 days?

Ok, I am due June 6th and my sister just got engaged, the problem is she is planning a destination wedding in the Bahamas and wants to have it there at the end of July...which would mean my baby would only be about 7-8 weeks old at the time. A really close family friend offered watch my baby while I was gone for no cost (well except for providing food/diapers, etc). Obviously, this would be cheaper and less of a hassle than paying for another seat on the plane and tending to her 24/7 while on my mini-vacation. What do you guys think? Plus, will I be able to freeze enough breastmilk to be gone that long if I do leave my baby at home? Katie, please don't be so snide. And from what I've read up on it, it's completely safe to bring a baby on a plane...although they will fuss a lot b/c of their ears popping. Yeah, I am 17 weeks pregnant with my first and I already am worried it may be too hard on me emotionally.

Public Comments

1. you are a mother you should be tending to your newborn. And a baby at that age you don't buy a plane seat for anyways.
2. i think it will be fine. im assuming it is with an adult and not a teen. i dont see a problem. your friend will probably have a great time with the baby. i know i would!!! go on your trip and have a good time!!!
3. That's a personal choice. Is it okay as far as will the newborn survive? Sure. Would I be able to leave my 7-8 week old baby for 4-5 days? Hell no.
4. I personally don't think I could leave my baby for that long. Especially when they're that young. My youngest baby is 1 and I still miss her while I'm at work all day. I cannot wait to go pick her up and see her. I miss her all the time!!! Can't your sister move it out a little more? I think it would be easier if you just took the baby with you. Then you wouldn't have to mess with pumping. I don't think you'll be able to freeze enough for that long. I would either take her with you, don't go, or see if your sis can push it out.
5. I just asked a similar question. I think it would be okay. If you really trust this person, I don't see a problem with this. I am 26 weeks pregnant and can already see how hard leaving my baby will be. The breast milk thing will be a little bit of a hassle, but you can swing it if you really want to .
6. I wouldn't, and believe me you won't want to leave your baby for that long either. If you have to go, take the baby but sister's wedding or not I don't even think I would go, way too hard with a new baby.
7. I think it's okay if it works for you, but I could never, ever have done it. And yeah, you might be able to pump enough breastmilk, but it depends on how well the pump works for you. It's different for every woman. If it were me, I'd put up with the fuss and bring the baby with me. Can you bring someone with you to take care of the baby? What if the family friend came with to the Bahamas? And you can get a big discount on the seat for your baby.
8. well you wouldn't have to pay for an extra seat on the plane she/he could sit on your lap well you holding her/him actually and if you completely trust this person then go ahead but the real question is will you be able to handle being away from your child?? And what if something happens and you are not there to assist in anything or will you feel like if you were there you would've prevented something? These are things I think of if I were in your shoes, now I am going away in Feb. for 4-5 days and leaving my 16 month old with her grandmother (very young GM 42) and I am having a hard time with it so I cant imagine how you will feel when you're gone.
9. No, mom, it's not ok to leave your baby for 4-5 days! Either take baby with you or send your sister a nice wedding gift.
10. Most women are unable to leave their newborns for emotional reasons. My hubby and I went to a wedding 4 hours away and planned to stay overnight. He chose to drive home because he missed our 11 month old, even though he knew she was in good hands with his parents. Point is: You, emotionally, may not be able to leave the baby. I think it would be possible to freeze enough milk if you start pumping right away once your milk lets down. Edit: you will need to continue to pump while away to make sure you keep the supply up, even if you just throw it out.
11. Honestly, I wouldn't. At that age you will still be establishing your milk supply and that many days could really effect it. It would also be pretty hard to store that much milk that quickly. I would either bring the baby or skip the trip. Baby flies for free on your lap.
12. I think the baby will be fine. You can certainly save enough breast milk for the short time you'll be gone, and the baby will probably be happier somewhere quiet and peaceful than in however many airports, on a plane and then a lively wedding in the Bahamas. At that age you should really limit their exposure to large crowds.
13. You aren't a mommy yet- and your ideas are going to change after you hold that baby for the first time. Would I do it? No. I'd send a card and some money and tell them to have fun. You are going to be establishing your breastfeeding relationship as well as your bond. Will the baby survive? Yes, as long as the person in charge is trustworthy. Pay for another seat on a plane, get a sling and take the baby with you. Here are some sites to look at slings. Our babies went everywhere with us- and nursed in their sling- nobody even knew they were there- literally. www.hotslings.com www.newnativebaby.com www.peppermint.com www.thebabywearer.com Good luck!
14. no as a mother babys need the most attention and a sitter will not help.
15. You think you will be able to leave your baby now with someone but once that baby comes you won't want to leave it with anyone. It all changes once the baby gets here. You will have that attachment bond and the wedding won't seem important like it is now. Don't get me wrong the wedding is important but nowhere near important as your child. Take the baby with or don't go. You will not want to leave your baby with someone. If you do, you still shouldn't. YOU need to be with your baby. It maybe cheaper expense wise but not emotionally. You will be a wreck, you will be worrying every moment wondering how the baby is. Personally my phoen bill probably would be higher than the plane ticket. Also the baby flies for free unless you want the baby to be in hte carseat in her own seat but otherwise they fly for free or youmigth have to pay taxes which is nothing. You cannot get the time back you will lose. This may sound dramatic but it isn't. Just take the baby with. Its isn't that much more expensive and you won't regret it. You probably will if you leave the baby.
16. I do not think its wise to leave a baby that young with someone else. Even if they are a family friend. Babies need to be with their parents at that age. You would not have to buy another seat on the plane. Would it be such a problems for you to take your child to your sister's wedding? I am sure that the family would love to see your baby. If it was my decision, I would either take the newborn baby with me or not go.
17. if you feel comfortable leaving your child with your friend then i would say go ahead and go. i left my daughter early to run off to vegas and get married. just remember to write a letter that allows your friend to treat the baby medically if necessary and have it notarized, and leave the babys medical card. i dont say this to scare you but if your baby even gets constipated the dr may have to prescribe something. a friend of mine is a pilot, he limits his daughters flights when he and his wife go away for the weekends (they go alot they fly for free) he said it is hard on childrens ears, and inconvient to feed and diaper them on the plane.
18. Yea I'm sure the baby would survive just fine.but I could not imagin eleaving my newborn for 7 days.My youngest is 4 and I dont like to be away from him for one night much less a week.Even if you can pump enough milk you should really think about the fact that if you leave your baby while it is that young and it drinks from a bottle for 7 straight days there will be a good chance that it will not want to take your breast again.I think you should either take the baby with you or just stay at home with your newborn as most mothers would.Not to be rude buat you seem alittle selfish to even consider.Your child should be your #1 concern.
19. I think it will be fine. I left my 8 week old with my parents for 3 days. I completely trusted them to care for him and it was fine. My husband and I had a good time, and of course, we missed him. I was breast and bottle feeding him, so he got both formula and milk that I had stored. You shouldn't have a problem pumping and storing milk. And trust me, I don't think you would want to take her with you. I haven't flown with my child, but we've driven two 6-hour trips with him, and traveling is just hard. It's hard to adjust to a new environment and especially hard when you don't have all the conveniences of home with all of the baby's equipment, etc. And really, it wouldn't be a vacation! When we've traveled with our son, I couldn't WAIT to get back home. The only drawback I would have of leaving the baby is if something happens to him/her. God forbid it happen, but you would be in another country and would not be able to get to him/her within a few hours. It would take you at LEAST half a day to get back home. Another thing (be prepared, a rant is coming....), please don't let other women make you feel bad for wanting to leave your baby. My son is 5 months old, and I have no problem being away from him. Yes, I miss him, but my world does not come crashing down when I don't see him for one night or even a few days. It's good to spend time away from your baby, because you DO have a life outside of being a mother. You have to still be a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, etc.... I love the heck out of my little guy, and when I'm away from him, I can't wait to see him; BUT, my son is NOT the center of my universe and my attention. If he were, my marriage would crumble, even only after 1.5 years. Lastly (yes, I'm almost done), July is a long way away. You never know what might happen between now and then, so keep an open mind. Good luck with whatever you decide. P.S., I wouldn't even look at a bathing suit 2 months after I delivered, much less now, so keep that in mind!! : ) Sorry for the rant.
20. Personally I would be telling my sister to send postcards and take alot of pictures because there's no way I would leave my newborn for any amount of time unless I had no choice.
21. I would say it would be OK, as long as you TRUST the person, and as long as they have experience caring for newborns.
22. I dont think it costs to take a baby on a plane...and thats alot of milk to express and freeze!!?!??!
23. Once the baby is born you probably won't want to leave your baby as any mother knows itis such a amazing bonding time with your little one. I also think baby has to be 3 months to fly check with the airlines. I would really bring the baby they sleep lots at that stage and buy a sling ther fabulos!