how do you have fun now you're a parent and Bf can't go out at night, etc?

[paranoid2android]

I'm just looking for ideas really! I miss having 'fun', a sense of wildness and excitment in my life. I'm looking forward to going to some festivals with DD in the summer, since it's something fun that we can do together. I'm BF so can't drink!

You can drink a little- odd glass of wine is fine!

That's being a parent to a young child. Or even an older one though. Being "wild" has to become being a bit "tamer". You can have fun still, it just changes a bit.

On the occasion that I want to go out with friends (I'm not a big party animal but for stuff like friends birthdays etc) I just get some formula which DH gives to DS and then I pump when I come back home (chuck it if I've had more than 1 drink or freeze it if not).

Lovefilm, books. BFing in the evenings does pass quite quickly (says she who's now spent five birthdays in a row either pregnant or breastfeeding) and then you can go out again.

You can drink when breastfeeding - fact!

But as for having fun and excitement - I had that slightly "trapped" feeling for a good 18 months after I had DD, but it did wear off and now I feel 100% myself again (but happier, because I have DD!). Things I found that helped were booking a holiday to look forward to, going back to work part time, going to the gym.

Having fun is how i got Baby number 2

I come on MN

Do miss my G&Ts, Rosé and beers on a night (not all at once I might add!) to unwind. Also miss going out, even just for a meal.

Octavia that's hardcore - I thought being pg for 2 birthdays and Christmases was bad enough!!

You will be able to get out in the evenings again one day, and the time will go amazingly fast...! In the meantime though have friends over to yours instead, a lazy weekend barbecue with a glass of wine or a good takeaway curry in the evening can still be good (and yes it is possible to eat a curry one handed while breastfeeding!)

Same as other people have said. We have a 4.5 month old DD and either have friends round to ours for dinner/takeaway, or go round to theirs for dinner/takeaway.

It seems like forever right now but it isn't, truly.
You will have an absolutely fantastic time at the festies this summer. It will stop raining
On a very deep level, you will never be EXACTLY the same person again in the sense that you cannot be completely and utterly feckless - I'm talking jumping into a car at 2 a.m. and ending up at a party 200 miles away followed by another 60 miles to see sunrise on Glastonbury Tor on the Winter Solstice here. You may well do this, but you will take time out to check that whoever has got DD is cool first. Whereas when I did it I vaguely remember wishing I had a spare pair of knickers and a toothbrush but not actually worrying about it. I also didn't have a coat when I left the pub in Brighton, but someone lent me one

You miss having fun and a sense of wildness in your life ! well your def missing something if that's how you feel with a 4 month old baby. I love having fun and partying but equally love the absolute high of being STUCK blissfully at home b f ing my baby for the first year . Enjoy what you have while you have it.

Everybody's different Fakeblondie. I couldn't wait to get out after I'd had DS. Went to a gig when he was 13 weeks and afterwards felt like I'd had a week's holiday! Personally I think it's important to retain a sense of yourself.

I am just now re-learning how to have fun as a parent. I was pretty wild before. You can have fun, just not as much of it at once IMO.

I also think a little goes a long way these days- on night out will 'do me' for a few weeks. I'm not talking a wild night out for me, more a nice meal out with my mates. But I do know people that go clubbing with tiny babies so it must be possible!
Just get your dh to feed the baby formula for one night, it won't hurt!

'One night out'