You’ve recently had a baby and now you’re feeling ready to venture out into the world, perhaps for dinner with friends or an overdue date night with your partner. You may be feeling anxious about going out for the first time without your baby. “What if something happens? They’re so little I can’t leave them yet.”
Leaving your child at home for the first time can be daunting, but it’s something all parents will have to face at some point. While nerve-wracking at first, taking some time out for yourself to unwind and relax will be beneficial to both you and your baby. Read on for some tips to help you prepare for your first night out as a new mum.
Find a reliable babysitter
The best way to ensure you feel at ease about leaving your baby for the first time is to ask someone you trust to babysit, such as a family member or close friend. It is likely they will have got to know the baby already and you will be more likely to feel at ease than if you had left them with a new babysitter.
Give your babysitter a list of emergency contact numbers, including your GP, the NHS non-emergency helpline and your mobile number, so they can get in touch should anything happen. It’s not likely they will need to use them, but it’s always best to be prepared just in case.
Put your baby to bed before the babysitter arrives
Putting your baby to bed before you leave the house will help you feel at ease knowing they have been bathed, fed and put in their baby pajamas to keep them snug at night. Hopefully it will also mean a lot less work for whoever is watching the baby while you’re away.
Check-in halfway through the night
Tell yourself you’re allowed one check-in call halfway through the night with your babysitter. Once you’ve made the call and confirmed everything is okay, try to let it go and enjoy the rest of the evening.
You don’t want to keep bothering your babysitter, particularly if it’s a close friend or family member. It may give off the impression that you don’t trust them, which could be damaging to your relationship with them.
Keep your night out short
The first time you leave the baby with someone else keep your plans short and simple. As much as you may be desperate for a break, it’s likely you’ll find yourself missing your baby or feeling anxious and wanting to see them.
Use this night as a test run to see how you handle being away from your child and how well your babysitter and the baby cope too. Stay relatively close to home so you know you’re not far away should anything happen.
Enjoy yourself and try to relax
The first night away from your baby can be emotional, but it’s important to remember this is a natural reaction and it will pass. Try to relax and enjoy your evening catching up with friends or spending quality time with your partner without a screaming baby around. New mothers often struggle to feel like themselves after giving birth. Take this opportunity to rediscover your identity but don’t compare yourself to the pre-pregnancy version of you. A lot has changed, your body, your mindset and possibly your goals for the future too.
You and your partner will benefit from reconnecting with each other, especially in the early days of parenting when everything goes a bit mad. Taking time to prioritise your relationship can help you feel more united, giving you the strength to face the struggles of parenting together.
