Leaving baby unattended.

[CaptainMummy]

Cut a long story short...

Am I very irresponsible for leaving my baby standing against the couch/activity table/etc etc... For brief moments? I overheard a lady at toddlers today and I was flabbergasted! Im guessing it is because of her age, but surely it didnt warrant a fly bitch to another mum (well, gran actually lol)

What do you think? I dont want people thinking that I am nit a responsible parent

 

[Larkspur]

I think you already know the answer to this one, right?

You know your own baby. Trust your instincts and ignore the haters.

 

[SarahBear]

Well, assuming the baby is safe from your older children, the worst that could happen is your baby falls and cries and it takes you some time to get to her to comfort her... And if you don't leave her side you may be able to comfort her a few seconds faster... Not sure what dire consequences the lady in your story would be worried about... Unless your house is like mine and has choking hazards lying around everywhere!

 

[Cattia]

When you have more than one child it's pretty much impossible not to leave your baby unattended from time to time. The other woman sounds like she had no manners, I would ignore her.

 

[lau86]

That's just rude! I can't see why it's irresponsible at all...

 

[SoupDragon]

Er, no. You can't be by your baby's side 24/7, especially as you have other children. If your LO is steady on her feet and can sit down on her own, so won't be 'stranded', I'd say it's fine. I leave mine rampaging around the front room if I nip into the kitchen briefly (just round the corner) or to go and fetch the phone if it's ringing or something. If you know the room is childproofed and it's just a brief time, I don't see the problem.

Some people aren't happy unless they've got someone else to put down, that's all. You know your baby, they don't!

 

[CaptainMummy]

Yeah, I guess I was just looking fir reassurance. My other two dont bother with her so I dont worry about them, and I make sure there is nothing she could choke on near her (she cant crawl, so she is limited to the area she is already in lol)

Thanks ladies. The other lady has one small baby, so I guess she still feels very over protective!)

 

[minties]

Unattended as in, leave the building? Or just not glued to her side?

Thomas was happily cruising about the house at 7 months and I did not follow him everywhere or sit anxiously next to him. I think these other people are being bitchy.

 

[CaptainMummy]

Yeah, I thought that too, minties! Ahh the joys of motherhood!

 

[sethsmummy]

To be honest that completely depends on whether baby is confident in their standing and can get themselves to sitting ok.

if the answer is yes then its fair game once they are confident enough they dont need you glued to their side.

if theyre not confident then in my opinion no they shouldnt be left, even briefly.

still no need for a bitch fest though :s just because someone doesnt agree with hwo you do things doesnt mean you should be bitched about.

 

[Quartz]

I suspect its probably first time mum syndrome who is over protective and does not realise how independent they can be by that age.

 

[Linnypops]

I leave my dd in the living room for brief periods all the time. I've no idea what the issue is. If you're on a. Computer or phone you can still be in the room and they'll fall. Falling is part of learning and a room should be child proofed enough that they don't harm themselves!

 

[MrsT&Ben]

Well if this is the case then I am the world's worst mother!!! I leave her (for brief moments) all time. Like running upstairs or going to the toilet. Id never leave her so she could cause herself harm.
Some parents are very over protective. Don't worry about it. You know your own child.

 

[Fleur29]

Definitely first time mum syndrome!! Smile and ignore, smile and ignore

 

[mel28nicole]

To be honest that completely depends on whether baby is confident in their standing and can get themselves to sitting ok.

if the answer is yes then its fair game once they are confident enough they dont need you glued to their side.

if theyre not confident then in my opinion no they shouldnt be left, even briefly.

still no need for a bitch fest though :s just because someone doesnt agree with hwo you do things doesnt mean you should be bitched about.

I agree! When DD started pulling up I was by her side. Making sure she wasn't toppling over. When she mastered getting down into a sitting position, I backed off. She's standing by the ottoman as I type this