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First Night Away From Baby

By Kristyn Kusek

After weeks of round-the-clock feedings and diaper changes, you new moms and dads deserve a night out! But your first evening away from baby can be more nerve-racking than stress-reducing.

Here's how to ease the separation anxiety for you and baby:

Find a sitter who's been there, done that

"Leave your baby with somebody who has infant experience, whether it's a good friend or your mother," says Mimi Doe, founder of spiritualparenting.com and author of Busy But Balanced (St. Martin's Griffin). "You'll be more confident than if you left your baby with the teenager next door."

Familiarize your baby with the sitter before you leave them alone

"Your baby won't have to work hard to communicate her needs if the sitter knows how to read her signals," explains Janis Keyser, coauthor of Becoming the Parent You Want to Be (Broadway). Set up at least two "play dates" to show your sitter your routine -- for instance, where he/she should sit during feedings or the particulars of baby's bedtime ritual.

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