How do you socialise at night when you rock/feed to sleep?

[Chocaholic]

It starts to bother me a bit when I have to turn down invitations for dinner etc, but even more so when I have to explain why. People think I'm crazy, particularly those with kids who don't comfort their bubs to sleep. I feel their disapproving thoughts!

Who cares what they think? I know it is easier said than done. Do what works for you and your LO.

We don't go out much at night anyway but when we did go out when we co-slept, we just took the kids. At restaurants, the boy would sit on our laps and fall asleep as long as we didn't talk to them (we would answer if they talked to us but didn't iniate any conversations with them). If we were at someones home, we borrowed a bedroom or went into the loungeroom and made a bed on the floor (with stuff we brought like blankets and a small pillow). I actually have had great conversations with people as they realise they have to be quiet so they sit on their couch or the floor while I lie down with the boys. The conversation seemed to settle the boys and it brought me closer to some of my friends as it is a lot easier to discuss personal stuff in that environment.

[Willow]

I'm the same, I rarely go out at night. DS2 actually self settles to sleep but if he wakes while I'm gone, he doesn't settle well for DH. If I am home, I usually feed him back to sleep.

If it's important, I'll take the gamble and go hoping he doesn't wake before I get home. If he does, I figure DH will sort it out somehow.

Like the others have said, it doesn't last forever.