What age did other peoples children sleep away from home?

Rummer

My DD was 2 days old when she stayed overnight with grandparents. It has contributed to her being a balanced child who is happy to stay with others.

MrsTinks

We haven't had anyone we coud ask to take our daughter for the night yet, but to compensate we have tried to make sure she can nap anywhere, she has a travel hammock (Amby) that she sleeps in during the day for naps that can come with us and she sleeps on sofa's, our bed, her bed, basically anywhere that she can't easily roll off (even if that means putting the cushion on the floor ) and it's never "always" daddy or mommy who put her down... she's always quite content to have naps if we're not about (like if we've left her with next door for a few hours) so I'm hopeful that she won't be too difficult to get used to sleeping over when one day we have the oppertunerty

r.mac_2

our LO is 9 months old. I have left her overnight with my parents once. they stayed at oour house so that LO would have her things around her and feel more comfortable. I'm not yet ready for her to stay at my parents house without us (and certainly not ready to even think about her at the IL's!), but I do agree that the younger they are the easier it will be for them to adjust - if it's going to be a regular thing. therwise I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Jo_R_2

DD1 had not long turned 2 when she stayed at my parents and that was only because I was in hospital. She was breastfed which was mainly the reason why I didn't think about it before that, plus I just didn't feel it was right to have her away from me at a young age.

However... Post birth of DD2 four months after that, DD1 stayed occasionally for a night at my parents, then when me and their dad split up when DD2 was 8 months, they both stayed overnight at my parents on a fairly regular basis (at least once a month) once I felt DD2 could be away from me and not need breastfeeding last thing at night and first thing in the morning, which I recall to be around 10/11 months; this was also the time they started having overnight stays with their dad.

Baby (aged 8 months) has not yet stayed overnight away from us, despite the offers from grandparents (very lucky!) Again I will be waiting until I feel comfortable with him being away and not needing to be fed last thing/first thing.

superpup

I had my grandson overnight for the first time at 2 weeks old. My dd gave him his last feed before I took him about 9pm and I gave him a bottle of expressed milk when he woke up at about 4am then he went home in the morning.

He will sleep anywhere as he's used to staying at my house, at his Dad's, his other grandparent's house, my dd's friends' if she stays overnight he goes with her. He's slept through the night from a few weeks old so he's never been a problem. As long as there's a cot/travel cot, he's happy to go to bed.

carolan78

My DD was 8 weeks old when she first stayed at my parents and she has stayed ther regular ever since. She is now 3 and half and still cries if she is at the IL's and we go out for an evening there (we return there because they live 250 miles away), she stayed there for 3 days alone once and found it quite distressing at night time but loved it through the day lol. DS is almost 2 and he has stayed over at my parents since he was about 6 months old (again regular), he hasn't had the chance to stay at the IL's yet but I am certain he wouldn't have any issues there.

mumslave

my girls were about 6 months, but not without me, we were on holiday to my parents. As for my son, he is 13 months now, and hasnt stayed anywhere but home, I have to admit, I dont think I could have him stay anywhere without me yet, my parents are entirely capable, I just am not ready.

purplegirluk1

Wow thanks for all the comments. I think I need to start sooner then to get him used to it. His dad had tried to get him to have naps at his house but he is having none of it. I wonder if perhaps bedtime will be different as he is almost always ready for bed and very tired. He is happy for anyone to put him to bed, many occasions when I have been out and his nana or granny have put him to bed at home. It would just be nice to be able to have a night out and not have to rush back to the babysitter and for him to bed ok if there are any emergencies that mean I have to go away i.e hospital etc. Thanks again.

Pee

Talking to a friend about this the other day she had a four year old round for a sleepover - the mother was out late and only lived a couple of doors away. The two children went to sleep fine, but the visitor awoke and got quite upset, although my friend was able to comfort her. I'd have thought with a father or grandparents any time would be fine, though, as long as your LO knows them well and they could settle him.