Nights out when you have small kids

[littleraysofsunshine]

We have three dc under 3.5, I'm Breastfeeding Ds who is 7months old.. We have been intited to a wedding reception tonight.. Dp has just gone.

I'm sat here all three asleep and feeling green with envy. I was meant to be going but I just don't feel 100% leaving Ds where he is still small (my girls are too of course but they are ok with their grandparents for a few hours if so) but Ds can be a good sleeper until about 12 some nights then feed a few before. So I don't want to take the risk as he won't take a bottle as I dread to think of him crying for me when in out.

It's only recent that I feel ok leaving him for an hour to do food shopping! But more so in the evening he is all for me at the minute. I bet you he sleeps well tonight! We was going to go out for like 7-11? All three go to grannies, 15mins away from the party. But I just don't feel like I can.

I felt the same when my girls were smaller. I love being at home with my babies, wouldn't change it for the world. And nights out are a rare occurrence ad that was my choice, and still is. But sometimes I would like to feel at ease to have an evening out. Dp obviously finds it easier as he works.. So not with. Them all day but I do hard it hard.

How do you find getting out with small ones?

Side note: I trust the people we would leave them with (grandparents) but I just feel like I can't relax like dp does

Seven months old and being breastfed makes it impossible to leave him for that long, unless you can time being out between feeds with split-second accuracy. And then they go onto a new, exciting schedule at a moment's notice and your plans are foiled.

The only answer is to get baby to accept the odd bottle and know he'll take one from someone who's not Mummy. Hard one when they're so tiny. You KNOW you won't get that time back.

I'm in a similar boat with DC3. She's totally different from her brothers, who happily accepted bottles and dummies - she refuses both.

Me and DH simply don't get nights out together at the moment. Him going out isn't an issue. I try to keep my outings to daytime so that I can either bring her or leave her with DH, who has found warm cows milk in a cup and a walk in the buggy to be a suitable me replacement!

If I do need to go look out at night, DH just deals with her. She gets cross and it's not fun for him but they manage and I always get back at a reasonable hour.

It's not ideal but it's fine for now and, having done this twice already, we know she will settle down eventually. Don't feel bad for going out though! You need some you-time too!

That's why I don't go out. My kids are my life.. I haven't had an evening out in like four years really. And I know that's fine. Just thought it would be nice for a one off couple of hours. But I know our bond and I know he would just want me when needing comfort and milk

I'd have taken the baby along to the wedding reception and left the others with a baby-sitter. If you want an evening out and it's important for you as a couple, you're going to have to get over your fears of what might happen if you're not there for a few hours. Maybe you have to leave the baby with someone for a short period of time to begin with and build it up? Someone else can provide comfort and milk perfectly well.