Am I the only one?

My baby girl is nearly 5 months old, and so far, I’ve only ever left her with her dad (my partner), and even then, only for short periods — maybe an hour at most. I feel completely comfortable with that, and I trust him entirely. But the thought of leaving her with anyone else, even my own mum, feels absolutely impossible. She’s a happy, formula-fed baby, so there’s no real reason I can’t leave her — it just makes me feel so incredibly anxious and uncomfortable. I’m due to return to work around August, depending on our finances, as I’m currently on SMP and we’re still trying to figure out if I can afford to take the full year off. The thought of leaving her to go back to work is already weighing really heavily on me, and honestly, it’s starting to ruin my maternity leave because I think about it every single day. I’m so torn between soaking up this time with her and stressing about how I’m going to manage when I have to leave her. On top of that, I feel this subtle pressure from friends who say things like “you don’t want to be that mum,” implying I’m being too clingy or overprotective. But I can’t help how I feel — I’m just not ready. I wish I didn’t feel like this, but I do. Please tell me I’m not the only one?

Show your support

You're not the only one. I feel like this too! I've decided I'm not going back to work and so we're making lifestyle changes to accommodate that. I don't want to have any regrets later on in life and I believe this is the correct choice for me!

You're definitely not the only one, I'm also thinking about it every day! 😩🫂

I’ve got the dread of going back and I’ve got 5 months left of Maternity leave.

Your not the only one Ive never left my little one either Due to go back to work at the end of June 😫😫 also work very long hours with a long commute I have dreams often that people are taking my baby away from me and cry at the thought of leaving her even though she will be with my mum who she absolutely adores It is so so hard I hope you are okay❤️❤️

I’m the same as you, I was fortunate enough to be able to not return to work as I just couldn’t deal with the mental stress of leaving bub. I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old and I have never left them with anyone apart from their dad for short periods of time either, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being “that mum” I am that mum too 😂 your baby is only 5 months old so it’s understandable! I think it’s normal for the majority of new mamas!

My daughter is 4. She only stays with me and daddy, my mom, and my one cousin who’s like a mom to me. And she really only stays with daddy for like a short run to the store lmao. She didn’t start staying with my mom till about 2.5 and my cousin till almost 3 and that was only a handful of times. Like the baby’s nicu stay. And my son is 1. And stays with me and daddy and that’s it. Same with my daughter I will leave him alone with dad but it’s for a quick store trip here and there. I’m obsessed with my kids 🤣🤣

Defo not the only one! I can’t bare the thought of not having her with me but at the same time I’m a single mom and I’m having to learn that a couple hours break here and there is what keeps me sane🤣 but it’s still hard and I totally understand where you are coming from!

Same here too! Baby is 10 months, only ever left with dad and only for a few hours max for a few hair appointments, and 2 girls lunches! Then my parents had him once for a couple of hours whilst my husband and I went to dinner (all in the same hotel). I didn’t expect to be so uncomfortable leaving him. Dreading sending him to nursery when I go back to work! I’m very lucky to still have more time off, but I can’t help but sometimes think the time is counting down 😭 I feel like that type of mum that needs a break but also wants to have their baby with them!

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