Anonymous wrote:As someone with two kids who I didn’t leave until they were 2+ years, I think you are making a good decision to go help your dad. You will miss your child, but it’s only a week and I think you will really value this time with your father. Whatever you decide, sending you good thoughts.

In response to your question (sorry), as much as you can, try to prep meals, clean the house a bit, and have laundry done before leaving. That’ll make the days a little smoother for him.

I’d have done it without hesitation, but my husband was always a 50/50 partner from the start. I didn’t have any magical mom knowledge that he didn’t have, we were both just finding our way through together, and he’s so big and warm that babies fall asleep on his chest like magic. I nursed and pumped from early on, so the baby was used to taking both interchangeably, and was happy to accept bottles from either of us.

I’d suggest leaving a few of your old, unwashed tshirts for him to use as burp cloths while you’re gone, so your smell will still be associated with food and comfort and snuggles. The suggestion to stock food in the freezer is good, but even just a Trader Joe’s run before you leave would be fine. He’s not nursing, so a week of junk food won’t hurt either of them.

Honestly, I think my husband probably would have secretly enjoyed a week alone with his baby girl!

As someone with two kids who I didn’t leave until they were 2+ years, I think you are making a good decision to go help your dad. You will miss your child, but it’s only a week and I think you will really value this time with your father. Whatever you decide, sending you good thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 8 weeks I would not do this. If YOU needed life-saving surgery I would do it, otherwise no. If somebody is dying, they are going to die. Your baby's life has JUST started. They don't have vaccines, they only have the immunity they got from being inside your baby and maybe if you've been nursing. Somebody else can help with the family emergency. You have to prioritize your newborn.

Sorry. I know this sounds harsh and isn't what you want to hear. But it's absolutely what I would do.

I agree with the PP. At eight weeks I’m bringing baby with me, and if it’s an emergency that can’t be handled with a baby in tow, then I am not equipped to help either. Unless one of my other children were in dire circumstances I can’t imagine it.

I agree. The baby would be coming with me, no question.

The baby would prefer to stay in her routine, engaging and learning with her loving and capable dad!! Bringing the baby would only benefit the mother.

That said, pumping sucks so I'd much prefer to have the baby with me for that reason. But don't guilt trip this woman for absolutely no good reason.

The baby would prefer to stay with it’s mother. But babies don’t think like that (of course.) This is not a dire enough emergency in my book, and it does seem like you could all travel there together. You are driving and dad is on leave, right?

OP here. My dad lives in a very small house and there isn't room for all of us. It is important I go because my dad has health issues and can't risk him getting exposed to anything. My other siblings will have to fly and that is not possible. I'm the only option. My husband is capable of caring for his child for one week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 8 weeks I would not do this. If YOU needed life-saving surgery I would do it, otherwise no. If somebody is dying, they are going to die. Your baby's life has JUST started. They don't have vaccines, they only have the immunity they got from being inside your baby and maybe if you've been nursing. Somebody else can help with the family emergency. You have to prioritize your newborn.

Sorry. I know this sounds harsh and isn't what you want to hear. But it's absolutely what I would do.

I agree with the PP. At eight weeks I’m bringing baby with me, and if it’s an emergency that can’t be handled with a baby in tow, then I am not equipped to help either. Unless one of my other children were in dire circumstances I can’t imagine it.

I agree. The baby would be coming with me, no question.

The baby would prefer to stay in her routine, engaging and learning with her loving and capable dad!! Bringing the baby would only benefit the mother.

That said, pumping sucks so I'd much prefer to have the baby with me for that reason. But don't guilt trip this woman for absolutely no good reason.

OP here. My husband is very capable of caring for my child. He knows how to take care of him and does many of the night feeds and caring for him. My baby is very easy though and already sleeps through the night.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 8 weeks I would not do this. If YOU needed life-saving surgery I would do it, otherwise no. If somebody is dying, they are going to die. Your baby's life has JUST started. They don't have vaccines, they only have the immunity they got from being inside your baby and maybe if you've been nursing. Somebody else can help with the family emergency. You have to prioritize your newborn.

Sorry. I know this sounds harsh and isn't what you want to hear. But it's absolutely what I would do.

I agree with the PP. At eight weeks I’m bringing baby with me, and if it’s an emergency that can’t be handled with a baby in tow, then I am not equipped to help either. Unless one of my other children were in dire circumstances I can’t imagine it.

I agree. The baby would be coming with me, no question.

The baby would prefer to stay in her routine, engaging and learning with her loving and capable dad!! Bringing the baby would only benefit the mother.

That said, pumping sucks so I'd much prefer to have the baby with me for that reason. But don't guilt trip this woman for absolutely no good reason.

The baby would prefer to stay with it’s mother. But babies don’t think like that (of course.) This is not a dire enough emergency in my book, and it does seem like you could all travel there together. You are driving and dad is on leave, right?

Anonymous wrote:OP, I had to leave my 6 year old and my 4 year old together with dad for 3 days. It was shorter but dad handled two kids like a dream and baby also drank frozen milk and was completely fine.

That's 6 month old!!

OP, I had to leave my 6 year old and my 4 year old together with dad for 3 days. It was shorter but dad handled two kids like a dream and baby also drank frozen milk and was completely fine.

They will be fine. It’s not like you are a better parent and he is clueless or something.

Anonymous wrote:They will do great!! You will miss them both, especially baby, but they will be perfectly fine together.

I would prepare for the possibility that baby may not want to nurse when you get back, and you’ll need to be extremely careful about COVID exposure.

OP here. It's just my dad and he lives in a rural area. His caretaker injured her back and will be out for a week. My dad is high risk and partially disabled. He needs help and I'm the only one that can help him since I can drive to him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 8 weeks I would not do this. If YOU needed life-saving surgery I would do it, otherwise no. If somebody is dying, they are going to die. Your baby's life has JUST started. They don't have vaccines, they only have the immunity they got from being inside your baby and maybe if you've been nursing. Somebody else can help with the family emergency. You have to prioritize your newborn.

Sorry. I know this sounds harsh and isn't what you want to hear. But it's absolutely what I would do.

I agree with the PP. At eight weeks I’m bringing baby with me, and if it’s an emergency that can’t be handled with a baby in tow, then I am not equipped to help either. Unless one of my other children were in dire circumstances I can’t imagine it.

I agree. The baby would be coming with me, no question.

The baby would prefer to stay in her routine, engaging and learning with her loving and capable dad!! Bringing the baby would only benefit the mother.

That said, pumping sucks so I'd much prefer to have the baby with me for that reason. But don't guilt trip this woman for absolutely no good reason.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great opportunity for your husband to bond with the baby and get more insight into the fatigue and strain of doing care all day and all night. May help you all as the baby grows to be more involved.

This.

OP, this is very doable and you will feel better as soon as the trip starts. I used to request a ton of photos. Are you nursing? If you are, look into pumping logistics ahead of time.

OP here. He is combo fed. I do nurse but I pump too. I will be pumping while I'm away. He will eat frozen milk and formula.

Anonymous wrote:I would only leave my newborn if it was a serious emergency in my immediate family. Otherwise I would hope there would be someone else that could deal with the emergency. I assume your situation is serious, in which case, ask your husband to send frequent pictures and call and FaceTime to put your mind at ease and stay connected with the baby. I’m sorry, it must be a very stressful situation. Hopefully you’ll be back home with baby not long after.

OP here. My dad is high risk and has a caretaker. She has to take a week off and I'm the only one who can go help him. I will going for a week while she is gone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 8 weeks I would not do this. If YOU needed life-saving surgery I would do it, otherwise no. If somebody is dying, they are going to die. Your baby's life has JUST started. They don't have vaccines, they only have the immunity they got from being inside your baby and maybe if you've been nursing. Somebody else can help with the family emergency. You have to prioritize your newborn.

Sorry. I know this sounds harsh and isn't what you want to hear. But it's absolutely what I would do.

I agree with the PP. At eight weeks I’m bringing baby with me, and if it’s an emergency that can’t be handled with a baby in tow, then I am not equipped to help either. Unless one of my other children were in dire circumstances I can’t imagine it.

I agree. The baby would be coming with me, no question.

They will do great!! You will miss them both, especially baby, but they will be perfectly fine together.

I would prepare for the possibility that baby may not want to nurse when you get back, and you’ll need to be extremely careful about COVID exposure.