Babysitters and who may care for the child
Who may look after your child when you are out, and how soon you start, from regular sitters to family only.
Who do we trust to babysit our child?
In short: Parents choose between 4 main approaches: Regular sitter from early on; Occasional once routines settle; Family only; None in the first year. Evidence: your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide. Best settled: 0–6 months.
- Evidence
- Your call
- Best settled
- 0–6 months
- Part of
- Learning & the wider world
Babysitters and who may care for the child: what are the options?
Parents usually land on one of these 4 approaches.
1. Regular sitter from early on
You have a regular babysitter from the first months.
2. Occasional once routines settle
You use a babysitter sometimes, once feeding and sleep are predictable.
3. Family only
Only relatives look after the child.
4. None in the first year
No one else looks after the baby in the first year.
Babysitters and who may care for the child: what does the evidence say?
Your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.
No outcome research found
What else is worth knowing?
Parents differ in how soon they are willing to leave a baby with someone else, and with whom. It affects how much time you get as a couple. Agree on who is acceptable before the first invitation arrives.
Questions to ask each other
- Who would we trust with our child, and what do they need to know?
- When would we feel ready for a night out?
- What rules would we give a sitter?
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First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.