Should I Leave Small Baby for Work Trip
Leaving your baby for the first time to go on a business trip will leave you feeling so guilty but you should not let this weigh you down. There is nothing illegal about it. If you have a safe and secure support system at home, a little bit of separation between you and the baby is good and will not harm your baby.
Your baby will be 100% fine and you’ll come back refreshed and probably more inspired about your work and it’ll be great. A night or few nights alone when you know the babe is safe may actually turn out to be much better than you expect. Try to fully embrace the work you are doing and the trip even if it is hard and emotional.
Also being away from your small baby gives you a chance to recharge. They get a chance to learn how to adapt to changes in their environment. It will definitely get easier, and your second trip away from the baby will be so much easier.
Don’t stop traveling if it is helping your career. It’s definitely hard initially but gets better and you will be looking forward to your next trip. To ensure that your first trip away from the infant is smooth ensure you have the following
- A reliable child care – someone safe and trustworthy to care for your baby while you are gone
- Enough baby milk- if breastfeeding, you need to pump enough before hand
- A supportive partner- To offer moral and other needed support,
- A solid travel plan – To ensure all things both at home and work runs smoothly in your absence.
Read: How to Overcome Mum Guilt
How Soon To Leave Infant for Work Trips
Moms opinions differ on how old the baby should be before they can comfortably leave them under the care of someone. As such many moms will only take trips without the baby when they are different ages.
Many working moms consider babies of fewer than 6 weeks too young to leave behind while others think of moths. Most will therefore wait until the baby is over 6 weeks old. So it varies from mom to mom but it doesn’t matter for the baby.
While it also depends on other personal convenience factors , the truth is you can leave your infant as young as few weeks old. You can leave your infant even at 3 weeks old if you need to take a day or two away for work.
As long as your baby has a qualified and capable person caring for them, you can take a work trip when your infant is of any age. Babies adapt easily and they will be fine even under the care of someone else. So take that first work trip as early as you need.
In fact younger babies are easier to leave behind as you go on business trips than older ones. Younger babies adjust faster and will copy better in your absence than older ones. If this will be the first trip the baby will stay without you, the younger they are, the easier it will be for both of you.
Read: How to Make Business Trips while Pregnant Easy and Safe
How Long to Leave Baby for Work Trip
How long you can leave the baby on the first trip depends a lot on what you feel is comfortable with you. If you are confident that your baby is fine, you can stay as long as you need to. It can range from days to months.
There is not limit. You can take a week-long trip or even longer and your baby will do just fine.
Usually your baby will be fine when the trip is only some few weeks or months. However if you need to be away for longer such as over 6 months, you may find it better to travel with the baby instead.
To decide how long you can leave your baby, consider this;
- Your work trip needs- if you can meet your purpose in shorter time, the better
- You baby’s personality- Some babies do well when away from their moms so will be fine both for short and long work trips
- Ability of your care giver- If your childcare provider is highly competent in handling your baby , you can take longer trips.
- Presence of support system- You can take longer if you have people such as your partner supporting you back at home
Simple Tips on Making First Work Trip Away from Baby Easier
1. Get a Reliable Childcare Provider
For you to feel at ease and comfortable on your first business trip away from your baby, you need a reliable childcare plan. It will ensure you are not anxious and worried as you are assured your baby needs are being met.
Because you are leaving the baby for the first time to travel, it’s important that this person be reliable and someone you trust. Your options of care givers can be your
Family- might be your parents, siblings or other relatives
Friends- if you have availbel close frifnes capable of caring for your baby, you can consider them
Live in nanny/ baby sitters. With this in place, you can take as long as you need on the trip.
Read: Childcare Options for Working Moms who Travel a lot
2. Have Emergency Contacts
In addition to having a reliable childcare plan, you need to have a backup option to rely on should anything happen. There is no way of predicting what will happen since this is the first trip to be away from your baby. With you being so far away, you need contacts of people back at home you can call to check on your baby and family.
Having a contact person to reach out to will ease your mind. They come in handy by reaching out to them whenever you are unable to get to the person looking after your child. Your emergency contact person can be your family member or a friend you trust.
Equally, you need to provide your family and child care provider with a contact person at your destination. It is important your childcare provider and your family can get to you in case of any emergency should you be unreachable for whatever reason.
In addition let your employer or office have the contacts of your care giver, partner, and family should they need to contact them.
Read: Effectively Preparing for a Work Trip
3. Find Ways to Keep in Touch with Baby
When leaving your small baby for the first time, you will feel out of place and terribly miss your baby. Being worried about your baby and wanting to know how they are doing is normal. Reaching out and finding out how the toddler is doing is very important.
If your baby is old enough to talk on the phone, you can do a voice call. If your baby is younger, you can opt for a video call where you can see your baby and your baby can see you. Also, have your childcare provider share photos and videos of your baby to ease your mind.
Try to work out in advance with your partner and childcare what type of updates will help you the most. It includes updates on things you like to keep track of about your baby such as how they slept or ate or their health among others.
However you should only do it if it puts your mind at ease and not distract you. Some moms prefer minimal contact and focusing on the work trip instead, which is still okay.
4. Let Things Be and Trust your Caregiver
It is normal to panic when you are leaving your baby for the first time. As such you may be worried about the things that can go wrong in your absence.
However, since you are away it would be best for you to let your childcare giver handle your baby and their needs. You should not try to be too controlling and let the person with the baby handle any situation that may arise.
There is little you can do when you are that far and you should trust that your childcare giver is in control. It is, for this reason, you need a reliable person to care for your baby in the first place.
Read: How to be a Mom and Travel Regularly
5. Create an Effective Travel Plan
Since this is the first trip your baby will be away from you, you need an elaborate travel plan. Having everything planned will make it easier for you, your baby, and your child’s caregiver for the period you will be away.
Your checklist when preparing for the trip should include;
1.Get a reliable childcare provider. Run them through your child’s normal routine before you leave. Have them stick to it as much as possible to avoid destabilizing the baby. If possible have them spend a night with your baby before you actually have to leave for the work trip to ensure they can confidently and effectively handle your baby.
- If possible get your partner involved early in the daily routine for the baby.
- Do a test trip first where you leave the house but stay local and see how the baby is adjusting to your absence.
2. Get and share emergency contacts. Notify the people you need to notify about your trip such as your family. Then get and share emergency contact both for home, trip destination and office.
3. Plan for breastfeeding- If you are still breastfeeding, plan on how you will still pump and store your milk during the trip. You can carry a small cooler box from home to store your milk in until you are back. Alternatively, you can have the hotel staff freeze the milk for you until you have to go back.
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