At what age is appropriate to start using a babysitter?

If your baby is still a ‘baby’ (as opposed to a toddler…) I wouldn’t recommend leaving the wee one with a ‘babysitter’. Babysitter usually implies 16 year old girl wanting extra cash to go shopping with. Maybe you could look into a nanny. Personally I would be reluctant to let somebody else look after my child when he/she is not yet one year old. But that is totally your choice and as Colleen said, when you feel comfortable leaving baby with somebody else, then that’s the right time for you. For some people, it will take only 3 weeks for them to go back to part-time work, others, it may take up a year. It all depends on your comfortability, not only with the idea of a nanny, but also your comfortability with the nanny. You could meet the nanny first and talk to her about her qualifications and experience. That way you will know that you are leaving baby with somebody that cares and will go the extra mile.

i wouldnt use a child, perfer someone with children who i would conduct a backround check on, but was just wondering if it was appropriate to do something for myself, that would benefit the family shortly after baby. Now a days, a 2 income family is the nly way to survive it seems, and my husband is on my ass to work even now, which isnt happening. So i was just trying to make plans on as to when would be a right time. thank you both.

It depends. My mother went back to work a few weeks later. She had to work, bills to pay. It depends on what you prefer. Of course, baby sitter sounds like a child, I had a live in nanny.

i say 14-up but for ,e if ppl were watching my kids id want the sitter to takes classes they do like cpr in the class

Oh yep, then totally- it’s all about when you feel ready. I agree, two incomes make all of the difference. Just find somebody mature that you trust. Best of luck.

if you pick one, pick one you trust…theres baby snacthers everywhere

well if you take your babysittin test than you can start at the age of 12 but it also depends on the ages of the children that your taken care of the older you are is better so you have more ideas in how to keep em happpy an other the younger babys its best if your young in my opnion its better because less work but more cryin hope i helped message me if need more :)

The youngest i have babysat was two week old .