Leaving your baby with other people

What's your experience like leaving your baby with people like your parents, siblings, other mom friends)? My baby is breastfed and will take bottles of expressed milk or formula. I have been leaving her occasionally to go to fitness classes, appointments, or just to get a bit of a break, and the last few times have been stressful for the baby. She hasn't been able to settle. I'm wondering whether it's an age/development thing or what works for other folks!

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My parents take care of my gal twice a week so she's really used to it and comfortable with them. Haven't left her with anyone else though! But honestly I don't think I'd be comfortable leaving her with just friends or someone she didn't see so regularly.

@Molly that sounds like a great arrangement. Is she with them for a whole day?

Nono! Just a few hours while I go grocery shopping or to a work out class. I pump and breastfeed so I can't be gone that long.

We've left him a few times with my mom and with my brother in law and his wife, for a few hours or an evening, since about 2.5-3 months. He's had times where he's settled and times when he's not. I pump and breastfeed as well. I think that sometimes people feel like they need to play with the baby as much as possible and don't recognize when he's tired, and then they have a cranky overtired baby to contend with!

@Kat that's a good point. Especially if it had been a while since they were around babies or they haven't had as much experience.

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