TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Together Against RSV
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • Events
  • Holiday Hub
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

"Is It Ever Okay to Leave My Baby Home Alone?"

3 min read
"Is It Ever Okay to Leave My Baby Home Alone?"

Will there ever be a valid reason to leave a sleeping infant home alone? Parents weigh in

Imagine this: You’re home alone and suddenly, you remember you forgot to pick something up at the store—which is just down the street.

The only thing stopping you? Your 9-month-old baby is sleeping in the crib.

Would you step out for a few minutes to go to the store?

Is It Ever Okay to Leave My Baby Home Alone?

Asian grandmother with Newborn Baby in Hospital. Thailand.

This is the question that has started an interesting conversation on theAsianparent Community, a new Q&A platform for parents.

The concerned parent who posted the question anonymously asked: “Is it okay to leave a sleeping baby at home while you run out for a quick errand nearby?”

“A short while in an adult’s world can mean a long time in a child’s point of view.”

Is It Ever Okay to Leave My Baby Home Alone?

“Personally I wouldn’t do it,” said one mom. “Anything can happen and I’ve heard too many stories of kids getting hurt because they were left alone for a while. A short while in an adult’s world can mean a long time in a child’s point of view. I’d get someone I trust, maybe a family member, neighbour or friend who lives close by to watch over the baby. Alternatively, I’d just wait for the child to wake up. No errand can be more important than baby’s safety right?”

Another mom agrees: “A big no. Anything could happen in a split second. I remember one time I put a DIY headband on my 2-month-old [little one]. She was sleeping soundly when I tried to put it on. Left it on her head to check my laundry when I get back after not more than 10 [seconds] the band was already covering her face! she looked cute [though] looking like a pirate but it could have been worse…”

All respondents agreed that no errand is more important than a baby’s safety and that if you absolutely must step out, then you should take the baby with you—babywearing or in a stroller.

One dad from Singapore offered a more practical solution: “I find that I can run 80% of errand online nowadays (in Singapore), anything from grocery to lunch to getting things mailed. Maybe try to see if there are online solutions?”

Is It Ever Okay to Leave My Baby Home Alone?

Though the incidence rate of crib death and SIDS in Asia is fairly low as opposed to Western countries, it always pays to be extra careful when it comes to the safety of our little ones.

It’s also worth noting that, at around five or six months, babies start to roll and know how to find a comfortable sleeping position, reducing the risk of crib death.

But SIDS isn’t the only cause of crib death, a recent study found that there are more and more infant deaths due to seemingly harmless padded blankets or crib bumpers.

What do you think, moms and dads? Would you ever leave your sleeping infant alone even if it’s just for a few minutes?

Partner Stories
Unlocking Financial Independence for the Next Generation
Unlocking Financial Independence for the Next Generation
Games to Play With Kids Indoors: 8 Fun Games You Can Play When You're Too Tired to Move
Games to Play With Kids Indoors: 8 Fun Games You Can Play When You're Too Tired to Move
How Stokke Products Can Be The Second-Best Gift To Parents After Giving Birth?
How Stokke Products Can Be The Second-Best Gift To Parents After Giving Birth?
What to Expect the First 24 Hours After Giving Birth
What to Expect the First 24 Hours After Giving Birth

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them with us!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

  • Home
  • /
  • Parenting
  • /
  • "Is It Ever Okay to Leave My Baby Home Alone?"
Share:
  • The One Skill This Teacher Wants Every Parent to Teach Before School Starts — And It’s Not What You’d Expect

    The One Skill This Teacher Wants Every Parent to Teach Before School Starts — And It’s Not What You’d Expect

  • Living Room Kids vs Bedroom Kids: Understanding Your Child’s Space

    Living Room Kids vs Bedroom Kids: Understanding Your Child’s Space

  • How TeamSG's Ren Kai Built a 'Sporty Family' That Wins Together

    How TeamSG's Ren Kai Built a 'Sporty Family' That Wins Together

  • The One Skill This Teacher Wants Every Parent to Teach Before School Starts — And It’s Not What You’d Expect

    The One Skill This Teacher Wants Every Parent to Teach Before School Starts — And It’s Not What You’d Expect

  • Living Room Kids vs Bedroom Kids: Understanding Your Child’s Space

    Living Room Kids vs Bedroom Kids: Understanding Your Child’s Space

  • How TeamSG's Ren Kai Built a 'Sporty Family' That Wins Together

    How TeamSG's Ren Kai Built a 'Sporty Family' That Wins Together

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
  • Family Occasions
  • Lifestyle
  • Normal Delivery
  • Ages & Stages
  • Trying To Conceive
  • News
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it