Preparing for Baby’s First Sleepover
I am a Similac ambassador and received compensation for this post.
Being able to take a night or two away from your baby is a big step for most moms, and an even bigger one for baby. It is possible though, and it is even easy to do when both mom, baby and a trusted caregiver are all prepared and ready for the big night. No matter what age, from infant to five year old, that first sleepover takes place it is important that you prepare everyone involved well before the actual night of the sleepover.
Whether you will be out of town for the sleepover or just trying a first sleepover with the grandparent鈥檚 it is important that you completely trust whoever the caregiver is going to be with your child. Remember and consider the following things to prepare for baby鈥檚 first sleepover.
Arrange for Regular Visits
Well before the night of the first sleepover arrange for regular visits between your child and their overnight caregiver. The best place would be at the home of the caregiver, since any sleepover would take place there, but just being able to get the two together and build a big level of comfort is good. As a mom it is important for you to take a step back during these visits and give grandma, aunt, uncle, sister etc hands on, one on one time with the baby.
Note Your Babies Routines
After a few months you are well tuned to the needs and routines of your baby, but it won鈥檛 be the same for someone else and you might not even realize the little things you respond to anyway. In the days leading up to the sleepover, begin jotting notes down regarding your baby鈥檚 daily and nightly routine. Things like how many times to expect the baby to wake up at night, cues your baby gives you, and the way your tot聽prefers to sleep are all important and can take away a lot of guesswork in the middle of the night.
Plan For Anxiety
While we want to think and hope that everything is going to be okay all the time, sometimes babies and children do not deal well on that first, or any sleepover. Be prepared to聽find out that your child聽is having a hard time and prep the overnight adult for a rough and anxious night if you suspect it may be likely. Make sure you have discussed every stress reducing technique that your baby responds to in order to help everyone get through the night.
Encourage Fun
Sleepovers are supposed to be fun, and babies of every age enjoy a good laugh and stimulating play. Go over your baby鈥檚 favorite ways to play, sensory stimulation they are especially fond of and toys they enjoy with their caregiver. When there is plenty to keep baby entertained they forget that someone else is playing with them and stop looking around for you.
Pack the Essentials
Make sure you come prepared for that first sleepover with everything your infant will need. Pack an extra change of clothes for those “just in case” moments and make sure you have lots of diapers and wipes ready. You can bring over a pack ‘n play for your infant to sleep in if the home doesn’t have a crib. You’ll also want to be sure to have the milk necessary for your baby’s feedings. If you are nursing and pumping, make sure the caregiver is comfortable and knows how to properly store and reheat the milk. If you are supplementing or formula feeding, pack enough bottles and a dish brush and consider pre-measuring the formula with a simple formula dispenser to avoid confusion.
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How old was your child at their聽first sleepover?
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I think I tried it when my daughter was in first grade for the first time. It went just fine!
Great tips! We didn’t do sleepovers with my daughter until she was older, but I can see a lot of reasons why one might become necessary at a younger age.
what a pretty baby!! My babys first sleepover happened around 8 months when we left him to travel to another state. It’s hard to leave them.
I can’t even remember how old my kids were when they had their first overnight away from home. These are great tips to make it easier for everyone!
Our babies were BIG before we did an overnight. I breastfed so it was hard to leave them as infants.
These are some great tips I think it is great for your baby to sleep over at their grandparent’s every once in awhile.
Great tips! My 5 year old went to her first sleepover last year. She spend the night with my best friend who has a daughter the same age.
Great tips! We don’t do sleep overs often, unless they’re with family.
I think my oldest was almost 2 before she stayed with my mother while I was in the hospital having her brother. The second was almost a year and they both stayed. The third made it a year before having an overnight but that was because she was exclusively nursed.
These are great tips. I am sure a lot of parents can benefit from these.
Dawn is 35 and I still remember the 1st time she slept overnight somewhere. She was 18 months and she stayed at my sister in laws.
I love that so many babies are easy going and don’t care about being taken care of by someone else as long as they’re being spoiled with sweetness. Of course it’s always great to have a game plan for those who are a little harder to leave.
I was SO nervous the first time I left my little with the grandparents overnight. It gets easier each time!
My kiddos first sleepover was with their grandparents. I had such a hard time with letting them out of my site, but they did amazing. Thanks for the great tips.
i don’t remember when my kid’s 1st sleepovers were.I do remember that I was my nieces. She was with me everyday so it was a smooth night
Our kids didnt sleep over until they were about 7 and that was just at grandmas for 1 night.
I don’t have kids yet. I can only imagine the mental and physical prep that must go into a sleepover!
I never had the courage to let my baby sleepover. My oldest who is 6.5 sleep has not slept over at someone’s house.
Eek, we’re terrible about letting the kids stay over somewhere. I prefer the sleepovers at my place when they’re young. My daughter’s in high school, and I know her friends, so she does get to go out…but the little one, nuh uh, nope, I’m too chicken. 馃檪 Your tips are all very good though!
omg Janel.. I couldn’t read the post. I just could not stop looking at that beautiful baby!! My oldest stayed with my parents around 5 months when I went to visit my husband.
I would never let my baby sleep away from home. I hardly let my kids go to sleepovers. Yep, I’m one of those mothers. I know they are safe when they are home where I can see them
My baby didn’t sleep away from me until they were 3 years old. (My first entire night with JUST my husband – no kids – did not happen until we’d been married for 7.5 years. Yup, we went 6 years without a kid free night)
My babies refused bottles and pacifiers. They would ONLY take me. (believe me, I tried everything LOL)
My kiddos started sleeping over at my mom’s pretty young. Maybe around a year old after I had weaned them. I trusted her, of course, but it was still quite nerve-wracking!
My baby’s first sleepover was pretty early- she had to stay with my parents because I was in the hospital. It was stressful!
I am bookmarking this cause i am due in march so i know soon i will need this soon.
I remember crying with my baby’s first sleepover. So much emotion goes into this!
My son was only a couple months old the first time that he had a sleep over. I had to go out of town for a doctor’s appointment and it would have been so crazy to take him. I slept the entire time.
My son stayed with my mom at 11.5 months for a weekend. It worked out well (I think it helped she’d kept him during the day several times, and he had his own setup at her house.)
We have yet to have a baby sleepover.
No kiddos here, but when we have watched some of our friends children, they provide similar information. For a non-parent caretaker, it is invaluable.
Oh yes, I had SO much anxiety when my oldest slept over my parents house the first time. I knew he was in good hands, but still….
I have had baby sleepovers. They are not that bad, actually I enjoy them. They are really a lot of fun, and it is nice to have a break when its your turn to have the night off.
Never thought of some of these tips before. Follow them and you will be glad I am sure.
No sleep overs as of yet.
No baby sleepover memories to share, but I would be worried all the while thinking about what would be going on.
My youngest daughter is 28 now but when she was one years old…My sister in law wanted to take her for a sleepover…oh my gosh…she cried so much on the way to her house,that she was going to bring her back but later she was ok…I love your article, I will pass it on to my granddaughter…
I remember when two of my grandchildren had their first sleepover with me. My grandson did well but my granddaughter cried for almost 3 hours until she cried herself to sleep.
She still hasn’t yet. So I’m not sure.
I cried when my parents took my baby for their first overnight. But it was great for everyone! Thanks for the tips.
DD had her first sleepover around age 4, she slept over at grandma’s house. I was so worried I couldn’t sleep all night! Turns out she missed us in the morning, but she was a-ok the whole night! I was so relieved!
I would get so nervous! So much to think about!
These are great tips! Going to share this with my sister 馃檪
honestly my child slept over at 8 i think shes nine now but my son o goodness i think 3
I have 5 children (the oldest is almost 19) and I still get a little nervous with my 7, 6, 5, and 4 year old. I think it’s part of being a mother. The first time was not enjoyable for me although I needed it!
I would be really nervous if my baby had a sleep over. I am very protective of her.