How to Make Leaving Your Baby With a Babysitter Easier

There is a very specific kind of mom anxiety that happens when you're getting ready to leave your baby with a babysitter.

You know they are safe. You know you need the break. You may have even been counting down the hours until you can leave the house without carrying a diaper bag. And then suddenly you're standing in the doorway thinking, But what if they cry? What if they won't eat? What if they need me?

Girl. They probably will cry, but that doesn't mean you can't leave. The goal isn't to make sure your baby never misses you. It's to help them feel safe and give your babysitter a few familiar tools to make things easier.

Let the Babysitter Get to Know Your Baby

If you can, have the babysitter spend some time with your baby while you're still home. Let them play together while you shower, make lunch, or hide in your bedroom for ten glorious minutes.

Your baby gets familiar with their voice and face, and the babysitter gets to learn what actually works. You don't need a 14-page instruction manual. Just share the basics: when baby eats, when they usually sleep, their sleepy cues, and what typically calms them.

Keep Their Comfort Tools Close

If your baby loves their pacifier, make sure the babysitter knows where it is and how your baby likes to use it.

Because babies are apparently excellent at making pacifiers disappear. The Ingy Bingy Band makes this a little easier. It's a buttery-soft pacifier wristband that velcros around your baby's wrist and attaches to every newborn pacifier and infant pacifier on the market.

Unlike a traditional pacifier clip, which attaches to clothing, the Ingy Bingy Band keeps the pacifier attached directly to your baby.

That means fewer frantic searches under the crib and one less thing for your babysitter to manage when you're not there. As babies develop, having their pacifier within reach can also help them begin learning to locate and replace it themselves.

Give Your Babysitter a Simple Comfort Plan

Don't overwhelm your babysitter with every detail of your baby's existence.

Just give them a few things to try. Feed baby. Check the diaper. Offer the pacifier. Rock them. Walk around. Sing their favorite song.

And remember, your babysitter doesn't have to comfort your baby exactly the way you do. They just need to be safe, responsive, and willing to figure out what works.

Don't Sneak Out

This one can be hard, but keep your goodbye simple and confident. "I love you. I'll be back soon." Then go. You don't need to stand in the doorway crying for twenty minutes while your babysitter awkwardly waits. Your baby may cry because they miss you. That doesn't mean you've done something wrong.

Your Baby Can Miss You and Still Be Okay

Your baby crying when you leave doesn't mean you shouldn't have left. It doesn't mean you're a bad mom. It means you're their safe person. Over time, they'll learn something pretty beautiful:

Mom can leave, and Mom always comes back.

So pack the diaper bag, make sure the pacifier bracelet is on, give your babysitter the important information, and go enjoy that coffee.

You can miss your baby. You can love your baby desperately. And you can still leave the house. All three can be true.

FAQ: Leaving Your Baby With a Babysitter

How do I prepare my baby for a babysitter?

Let the babysitter spend time with your baby while you're still home. This gives your baby a chance to become familiar with them before you leave.

What should I tell a babysitter about my baby?

Share your baby's feeding and sleep routine, sleepy cues, favorite comfort tools, and what usually helps when they're upset. Keep it simple and practical.

What if my baby cries when I leave?

Some crying is normal. Your baby can miss you and still be safe, cared for, and happy with another trusted adult.

Should I leave a pacifier with my babysitter?

If your baby regularly uses an infant pacifier for comfort, absolutely. A familiar pacifier can help provide reassurance while you're away.

What is the Ingy Bingy Band?

The Ingy Bingy Band is a buttery-soft pacifier wristband that attaches around your baby's wrist and connects to every major newborn pacifier and infant pacifier. Unlike a traditional pacifier clip, it keeps the pacifier attached directly to your baby.

What's the difference between a pacifier wristband and a pacifier clip?

A pacifier clip attaches to clothing, while a pacifier wristband or pacifier bracelet attaches directly to your baby's wrist, keeping their comfort tool close.

What if my baby only wants Mom?

Give the babysitter time to build their own relationship with your baby. They don't have to comfort your baby exactly like you do. They just need to provide safe, responsive care.

 

The Ingy Bingy Band is not your everyday pacifier clip! This game-changing pacifier wristband helps babies self-soothe at a younger age than ever before! Instinctively, babies gnaw on their hands in an attempt to soothe. The Ingy Bingy pacifier wristband keeps their pacifier right where they’ll find it, allowing your baby to comfort and calm themselves while you do whatever it is you need to do!

Our buttery soft wristband comes in two styles to accommodate every pacifier.

Our Pacific style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Avent, BIBS, Dr. Brown’s, MAM, Nuby, NUK, Medela, FRIGG, Nanobébé, Tommee Tippee, and Chicco pacifiers. 

Our Sequoia style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Itzy Ritzy, Ryan & Rose, and The Dearest Grey pacifiers.  

If you are still unsure which pacifier wristband style is right for you, check out our style guide or text the name and/or picture of your preferred paci & we’ll let you know which style is right for you!