5 Tips for Leaving Baby for the First Time
While it can be a scary thought traveling for work with your baby, it can be equally as daunting going on a trip and leaving baby for the first time.
You essentially need to train someone to ‘be you’ in order to keep your household running smoothly, and believe me, it’s as hard as it sounds😭.
I’ve traveled without my baby on a handful of occasions and here are my tips for setting yourself up for success.
Note: these ’leaving baby for the first time’ tips work just as great even if you’re not going on a business trip.
1. Designate a capable ‘first in command’
This is the person who will be running your household, so choose wisely. Some people default to their partner; others opt for an experienced mom, like their mother or mother-in-law. Some lucky mamas have live-in nannies so this step is a non-issue for them.
Whatever your situation, make sure this person is familiar with your child, their needs, and their daily routine. If they don’t know how and when to change a diaper, they are not your person.
You’re leaving baby for the first time so you want to feel confident that your baby will be taken care of in your absence.
Remember, nobody will be able to do it quite like you but maybe you can find a close second😉
2. Document, document, document
You know your baby’s routine by heart, but changes are, your point person doesn’t.
Write down your baby’s routine from sunup to sundown. If they go to daycare, what time is drop off/pickup? Is drop off in the lobby or in the classroom?
Do linens come home with baby at the end of the week or does daycare launder them?
Make sure you connect with daycare and add your caregiver to the approved drop off/pick up list. Find out from daycare if you need to provide them with a copy of your point person’s ID beforehand.
If you host a nanny share at your house, what information does your point person need to know?
You’re leaving baby for the first time so the objective is to stay as close to your baby’s routine as possible.
3. Be prepared for emergencies
It’s important to be prepared for emergencies when leaving baby for the first time. Why? Because the day you leave for your trip will undoubtedly be the day your baby’s class has a hand, foot and mouth outbreak and they are sent home early (just keeping it 💯).
Have a plan in place. Who will pick up your baby? Will it be your point person or your emergency contact person?
Do they have your baby’s medical insurance card and the name/number of the pediatrician? Who will stay home with the baby for the next few days?
Going down these rabbit holes will pay off in dividends if an emergency arises because you will be prepared.
4. Keep your home stocked with supplies
Remember, you are leaving baby for the first time. Now is not the time to have a low supply of diapers because you are waiting for the next ‘save $20 on a $100 purchase’ sale. Keep your house stocked with baby supplies.
Make sure you have full inventory on all essentials – clothing/diapers/wipes/food, etc. You want to make sure your point person’s life is as easy as possible.
Text photos of various places in your home where baby essentials are housed, just in case they forget.
5. Make sure they know how to install/use the car seat
If your point person is driving your vehicle, scrap the installation advice. But they should feel comfortable placing the baby safely in the car seat and buckling them up. They should also know where the car seat release button is. Some car seat release buttons are in not-so-obvious places!
If your infant car seat docks into your stroller, make sure they know how to open/close the stroller before you leave.
Things that are second nature to you, aren’t necessarily second nature to everyone. Remember how long it took for you to figure out all those baby contraptions in the beginning?!
When in doubt, remind them that there are youtube instructional videos that take them step by step. All they need to know is the brand/model type.
Pro-tips for Leaving Baby for the First Time:
On at least one of the nights you’re away, use a food delivery service and order your ‘first in command’ a meal from your favorite restaurant. Challenges are less overwhelming with a full belly.
Provide your point person with the number of a local friend/neighbor. This is someone who can come over and save the day in a pinch, like when your point person can’t remember how to remove the car seat from the base…
Final Thoughts on Leaving Baby for the First Time
When you’re leaving baby for the first time, it can be a frightening experience. This post was created to help you prepare for the experience so it could be as seamless as possible.
You narrowed down who would be your second in command based on their availability/expertise.
You set your point person up for success by documenting your baby’s routine and teaching them how to use all the cool stroller and car seat features.
You created a contingency plan in the event your childcare provider (daycare, nanny, etc) wasn’t able to provide care for your baby in your absence.
Lastly, you left your home fully stocked with everything baby needs while you’re gone.
You’ve done a brilliant job preparing. Safe travels!
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Some mothers are fortunate enough to have live-in nannies, thus this step is unnecessary for them. Make sure this individual is familiar with your child, their requirements, and their daily routine, regardless of your position.
Great advice, Career Cliff!