Is 4 Months to Early to Leave Baby W. Dad for 5 Hours 1 Night a Week.

Don't look at it as leaving him and him missing his mommy - look at it as time he can spend bonding and getting to know his daddy. As moms we often forget that dads need alone time too with the baby - especially if we ever want them to be responsible and give us a girl's night out on occasion. Let the daddy have some good quality time with the baby while you get some time out - for work, which will make you feel good - especially in a few months when you do have to go back.

Absolutely, give Dad some quality time with Jr., funny how you made the Freudian slip about being married to a sweet baby boy! Dad needs some responsibility too, after all he helped create little junior, Right?

I think it's a great opportunity for you - take it! It will also be a great opportunity for dad and baby to share time together and bond.

It is definitely time for your baby to bond with daddy! As long as you trust daddy (you're going to love the kooky outfits daddy will come up with when he can't find the pj's). The more people your son can feel loved and cared for by, I believe will positively impact his confidence as he grows up.

Good luck with your new endeavor!

Good Morning S., Your husband is just as much the baby's parent as you are, there should be no effects on the baby, if your husband knows what he is doing, just have ready anything the baby is going to need during that time make up enough bottles a head of time. My husband was the only one I ever left our baby's with, he won't do things just like you do, but that's okay. J.

One night a week? That's nothing. It will be good bonding time for baby and Daddy.

Are you kidding!!?? This is GREAT bonding time for daddy and baby - and the cool thing is, there is not an option for mommy to step in when things get a little difficult. Daddy and baby will figure it out - really! And they will have a nice little bonding time that will last a lifetime. daddy will get used to having some "man time" with the little guy and will probably choose to do so, even if you are available long after the training is over. Do it.

I agree with the others...GO FOR IT! It's only a few hours. And even better if Daddy is supportive of it and wants to spend time with his son :). I am lucky to have a supportive hubby like that who actually looks forward to being left alone with the kids (we have 2). When my 2 yo was just a month old I started having dinner and going grocery shopping with my best friend once a week. We are normally gone from 7-11pm on Thursday nights. I usually feed the kids dinner before I leave. He showers them, plays with them, and then puts them in bed between 730 and 8pm. Then he has 2 hours of quiet time. When my daughter was about a year old my best friend and I also started our annual Mommies Weekend Out where we leave all the kids home with the Daddy's. She has 3 kids and I have 2.

There are so many benefits for you taking this time for yourself. Baby gets good bonding time with Daddy. You get some exercise and stress relief from your workout/training. You get some adult conversation. And you can concentrate on taking care of yourself/planning for future personal goals.

Just make sure you have pumped milk or formula ready for Daddy to use when you are gone.

And HAVE FUN!

You should definitely empower Dad to take care of his own child! I had to travel for work out of state starting when my son was about that age--for a few days at a time--and my son survived and became more independent and less insecure about being without me because of it. Go for it!

No way! He is the parent too...you need to alow him to be now. Go and enjoy. Baby will surely survive with Daddy, and you will be thankful later on for it.

Hi S.,

I think that if you start introducing a different routine now, with dad doing the bed time routine a night or two a week, there will be no hitch. I personally think that it is a really good time for dad and baby to bond. Just my two cents.

If you end up doing the training, I will see you there!

Best to you in your decision, Alex

S.,
It will be harder on you then on your child.
Enjoy your child every minuet you are with him and allow for your husband to enjoy his time with him alone as well. It is a great time for father and son to bond and for you to enrich your life in a new way!
Enjoy it! You deserve it and you'll be better for it in all sorts of unforseen ways!
Good Luck!

This is his father, not a stranger - he'll be fine. :)

You should definitely do it! It will be good for you to get out and do something important to you, and it will be great for the baby and Dad to bond. You should take advantage of this great opportunity.

<grinning> It's only too much if you don't want your baby to bond with daddy.

Do it! Not because of what it is or anything, but because it will teach your son that you aren't the ONLY one who can put him down. I was the only who ever put my son down and he got used to me. Even now at almost 2 he still cries and screams when daddy puts him down.

Good luck... and what about not just going for yoga teacher, but also a personal trainer. Gives you more options

It's a personal choice, but you will be doing absolutley no harm to your child if you leave once a week for a few hours. Consider yourself lucky that that's all you are away from your baby for...

Good luck!
-M

Hi S.,

As long as you have a loving, reasonably competent father for your baby, they're going to be fine together. The most important thing is for an infant to be with a loving parent. A lot of times that means mommy, so I think we sometimes forget that dads are parents, too. But what a lucky baby to have such a caring mommy to worry about this!

Go for it! It will be good for you to get out of the house, and it will be a great time for dad and baby to bond. I know how hard it is to leave little ones with anyone, but daddy/baby time is so important. And it is even more important the older they get! My daughter is 2 1/2 and I haven't gotten much time to myself since she was born, but when she was that age I made sure to let dad have time with her alone once in a while, and now their trips to the park are like a mini vacation for me. Dad needs to feel like you trust him and you need a break.

Absolutely not.... never think of dad as a babysitter. It's a great time for both to bond. And... if you had to leave the baby with a sitter, I personally don't think it's too early. Personally, I coddled my first born and realized that it hurt both her and I when I was ready for personal time again. She would cry and I would leave upset and not able to enjoy myself while I was out because I knew she was crying. Long story short, 2nd baby will go to just about anyone and enjoys socializing without mom and dad....

I haven't read the other responses, but I think this is a perfect opportunity for Daddy and Baby to bond. Even the books suggest bath time as a perfect 'job' for Daddies for the bonding.

My husband has been the primary bath giver since our son was born. I had to have an additional surgery 2 weeks after our son was born, so I was limited in what I could do. My husband loved to be able to bond with our son and our son loves being with Daddy because Daddy can be so much fun and silly. I am the primary care giver in the mornings and Daddy is the primary at night. That doesn't mean we don't work together during those times - I prep his crib, his pajamas, room heater, music, books, etc. while Daddy is giving the bath and in the morning I wake up and get our son out of his crib, feed him breakfast and get him clothed, but while I get ready for work, Daddy plays with him and keeps him occupied.

You're in it together and sometimes, Dads find their parent legs best when we're not hovering over them to tell them how to do everything. It was invaluable for my husband to learn and take care of our son while I was bed-ridden. It has made him more confident and given him a sense of accomplishment and responsibility that I think many men don't get the chance to have because we, as women, are so 'mothering' and want to 'teach' (read 'tell') our husbands how everything should be done (when in reality, there are many ways to do it, and they're actually quite capable.)

Hope this helps. Remember, what the airplane always says, "put your mask on before helping your child with his mask" in other words, you have to take care of yourself first otherwise you'll be in no condition to take care of your child.

Best,
S.

Hi S.,
It sounds like this would be a great opportunity for father/son bonding time. Children have the capacity to attach effectively to more than one person and you'd be helping your baby boy attach to Daddy and know that Daddy is there for him and is competent and capable of caring for him. That will increase his sense of security and make it easier for him to develop independence as he gets older and it is appropriate. Of course, this assumes that your hubby is a caring, loving Daddy. Good for you for thinking ahead and thinking so carefully about your family's needs, your own needs and your son's needs! Yoga sounds like a great opportunity. One thing, Daddy may feel a bit nervous too and doing a few joint bedtimes, with him taking on more of the responsibilities might help both of you realize that caring for a baby is not so hard that your hubby can't handle it. Dads need to feel that we have confidence in them too! Another thing, is your husband exhausted when he comes home from work? Does he have the energy to care for your little guy? If not, you might think about having someone else there too for moral support. Good luck!

Daddies are the best caregivers! Leave a schedule if it makes you feel more comfortable.
Have a great get-a-way..

Is dad incompitant? If not then I wouldn't worry about leaving baby with dad. Bedtime can be just as fun with dad as it is with mom.

It'd be good for both of them. I've left my baby with my husband for a while since he was born so that he got some Daddy bonding time and also my husband really got a chance to see how much work it is to take care of a new baby. It helped our marriage, and it helped my little guy (now 2 years old) learn that it's okay to be away from Mommy for a little while because Mommy comes back! Good luck! Enjoy Yoga!

Just do it. It would be good for all of you. Daddy gets to bond with baby. Mommy gets some time away. And, baby learns that mommy leaves but come back (security).

without a doubt do it. Its time for some daddy bonding as long as hes responsible which im sure he is and the babies old enough now to where he knows what hes doing. Just make sure he sticks to somewhat the same schedule.

How is daddy oing to be able to take careof his son if you dont let him do it when your son is little daddy had a right to be able to take care of his son you are not the be all end all of your son his father is also relax be glad your husband is willing to help raised 4 children and 7 grandchildren my husband helped when he could we have great children A. no hills

S.,
By all means, go for it! Not only will it allow Daddy to have some time with the baby and being in charge of bath and bedtime, it will allow you to grow and do something professionally without taking you away too much.

If he's exclusively breastfed, you might need to pump a bottle to leave with them. Other than that, I can see no downside - it should be wonderful for all three of you!

I'd say go for it! It sound fun too! Plus you need to keep yourself happy and sane (speak not be tight and worried about money)and it will be good for your baby to bond with daddy. as long as he is competent and responsible I see no reason why you can't leave your child in his care. Your baby will adapt and at this time they change so quickly, every week will be different. lol

good luck!
and enjoy!

-C.

It will be fine. Your baby will learn that others like Daddy can love and care for him. It will help Daddy appreciate all that you do every day. It will be hard the first few times, but also will bring balance to you as the Mommy. Enjoy!

Is it ever to early to leave a baby with his or her parent? I find that to be an unusual question and I hope you would know best. Is your husband a responsible adult who loves the child? If so I cannot imagine not being able to leave his baby in his care. If your husband is not capable of caring for his child then absolutely not.

What a great opportunity for you and for your guys to get some quality boy bonding time together. Good luck with the yoga program.

Hello S.,
When my daughter was born my husband was going to school but didn't have a paying job. Since I did have a full time job we decided that after my 3 months of maternity leave he would work his school schedule around with my work schedule so our daughter would be with one of us. While moms have more of the warm fuzzies than dads he did great with naps, bottles, playing...I think it wasjust as important for the dad to have that time as me. It definately gave my husband a different perspective and one that he appreciates today.

You have to do what you feel comfortable with. Good luck,
G.

I went back to work full time when my son was 4 weeks old. My husband watched him all day. I felt guilty but my son didn't know any different and got to spend quality time with his dad. I got quality time at night and on weekends. Time with your husband is just as important as time with you. This will give you the opportunity to do something for yourself and your family. Go for it! The baby will be fine with dad.

Good luck!

I think it would be a good thing for all of you if you do this. Your son may fuss and be unhappy; in fact it may stress all of you. Change is hard sometimes, but this sounds like it will be very beneficial. Meeting and overcoming challenges is a good thing for your child to learn.

I believe my daughter was right at four months when I began
my Masters Program that took me away one night a week and will continue to for a year and half! It turned out really well... My mother and husband get quality time with my daughter on a weekly basis and I can depend upon my husband more because he is now comfortable with taking care of her! I say, do what you feel is right. The quality time for yourself is well deserved and could turn out really well (although you will definately miss your son at first). Good luck!!