Goodbye, back soon – thinking about your goodbye routine

What to try 

• If you need to leave your baby with someone else, think about how you say goodbye.  
• Don’t sneak out. It might be tempting to leave while they are busy, but this can make them feel more anxious in the future as they don’t know when you might leave next time. 
• Make your routine quick, especially if you are feeling a bit upset about leaving your baby.  
• You might simply give them a kiss, say “Goodbye”, then wave and leave.  
• Do the same thing each time so this routine becomes familiar and predictable – there might be tears at first, but your baby will learn they can trust you.  

Good to know 

Your baby is becoming more self-aware and that knows they are dependent on other people to look after them. Separation anxiety is part of their development, but it can feel hard for you, so don’t forget to look after yourself if it's difficult.