Should they stay or should they go?
Last night we had an amazing time at the foodball game, sharing nachos minus cheese (aka chips with lots of jalapenos) and lemonade, chatting with our friends, and cheering on the cats. [For me, I just cheer when everyone else cheers] One thing I did notice in our squadron was the lack of friends who have babies. Maybe football games are way too loud and sensory overload for little ones, but I also did see quite a few small ones decked out in U of A gear with other families.
on eBday! I die.
Part of me thought that I would LOVE to have our little nuggette with us, in a U of A dress, carried the Ergo or a sling. I haven’t even met her and am already think about all of the places I want to take her. On the other hand, I noticed the stairs (SO many stairs! I had to take a break a few times climbing up since the 15 lb weight plate on my stomach makes climbing stairs a little more challenging), the loud noises, obnoxious people and large crowds - maybe not the best environment for a baby? But then again, isn’t Disneyland obnoxiously loud and sensory overload as well?
I wished my friends with babies would have been there because I love to play pass-the-baby and chat with them, but can understand why some of them decided to say home. I also got kicked in the back HARD by a toddler sitting behind me.
So how do you decide whether it’s a “bring them along” or “you’re staying with grandma” or “we’ll just chill at home” kinda night? I want our children to adapt and be exposed to different surroundings, but what’s your deciding factor on whether it’s appropriate or not?
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Most people don’t bring babies to sporting events, I think the crowds of people, the baby might get hit by a drunk fan. Plus you can relax with your hubby at the game and the baby can bond with grandma and grandpa!
Agreed! My parents tried to take me to the circus and the loud cheering really freaked me out.
I felt the same way as you before we had our baby(7 weeks ago). I wanted our little guy to just be a part of our everyday lives but I’ve found that I’m still a little nervous to take him out everywhere. He’s so cute and precious I get anxious about people hitting into him or touching him too much. I’m hoping that I relax as he gets older but I’m just taking it a day at a time. You’ll have to feel it out once you girl is here. You’ll know in your gut if you’re comfortable bringing baby along.
Hmmm thats a toughie! I don’t have kids but I do have a dog and when she was a puppy we took her EVERYWHERE! Grocery shopping, to the movies, dr’s apps, apple picking! Literally everywhere! It helped remain calm in every situation and become a lot more well adjusted. Not that babies and puppies are the same but I am sure it would help her get used to the big wide world around her !
Personally, I have never taken my kids to any sports events yet. I have a few reasons for this: it would be too loud for them, events are usually past their bedtime (and I’m all about a schedule!), the loud and sometimes obnoxious crowd. I’ll probably bring them when they are a little bit older (like 6) and can actually enjoy what the game has to offer 🙂
I guess it depends on the seating and whether you can get a relative or friend to stay with the baby or like Sana said if you want it to be at date night. Although I don’t have children yet, I think I would take them along to a few events as babies. I love knowing that I attended by first Dodgers game when I was a month old 🙂 and I have faint memories attending baseball games as a toddler. I think it’s a huge part of why I love baseball. Being an only child of Latino parents meant I grew up pretty overprotected and sheltered so it was great went they brought me along to those types of events.
I haven’t been to any sports events, but I can imagine that college sports can kinda rowdy. Am I right?
I have to say, I felt the same way regarding our bub fitting in with our lives and going everywhere with us. Reality was a little different …. I think it depends a lot on the personality of your baby and the event you’re going to. My boy totally loves social gatherings, more opportunity to flirt with people etc, but I have friends whose babies find those situations difficult. The older they get, the easier it is though! My wee boy is almost 10 months and comes everywhere with us, we just try to be mindful of his nap times and not push it too much. I cant wait to take him to his first All Blacks game 🙂 He will be the one squealing loudly for both teams!
Even with preemies, I take my babies everywhere. I don’t think we’ve stayed home for more than a day since they came home from the hospital. Babies actually sleep well with alot of loud noise, atleast mine do! They do better out at restaurants now than I bet they will in a few more months. We’re going to Disneyland in a few weeks and obviously, the twins are coming with us. If I have 1 of them in the ergo, they just nuzzle up and sleep if they’re tired, no matter where we are. It’s fun bringing them a long and having family moments, even if they won’t remember them, we will always treasure the special moments we’re having with them while they’re small 🙂
I think a big game like that is very dangerous to all. If you want the baby/child to get use to that environment, how about finding a little league game or girls softball game where is a bit more low key (baring no out of line parent).
Taking a child to a sporting event seems to be a better idea when they’re old enough to enjoy it. Otherwise, you’re subjecting them to noise and tons of people without the fun (for them). I imagine that environments like that can be stressful for babies. Plus, if the other adults are big sports fans, they might be too absorbed in the game to be able to properly lavish your little one with attention, like they could at something quieter. 🙂
Also, college football night games can get a little rowdy.
I personally think it’s best to leave them at home for a few reasons… i don’t think the baby is going to enjoy it, and i don’t think parents would really get to enjoy the game/event, either, let alone the other spectators. most grandparents are chomping at the bit to watch the grandbaby anyway, so why not kill two birds with one stone. i understand wanting the baby to be part of everything in your life, but that’s just not realistic.
Agree, agree, agree!
We have season tickets to A&M football. Our girls are now 4 and 2 and we have only taken them once. That was last year and we hope to take them again once this year. Depending on how they do, we might end go ahead and buy tickets for them next year when they will be 5 and 3. In my personal opion, leave the kiddo at home. Let it be your opportunity to get away. When we did take them, I had no idea what the score was and was constantly picking up the crayons they kept dropping. I think we left at halftime that game 🙂 I am, however, excited for the day that they do enjoy the games and we can make it a family event!
I would just be too paranoid to bring my baby to one of those sporting events! I would be nervous for safety reasons..as well as how loud it is..they probably wouldn’t really enjoy the experience. I always based where I took the kids I nanny on the time of day actually. I knew we couldn’t go if it was their typical lunch or nap time, or bed time – because then the tantrums would occur. If we did go out, I always brought snacks and loads of toys.
My husband and I just had this discussion yesterday while we were at the FSU game. We think we will move our season tickets to the family section the stadium offers. We will still be able to tailgate with our friends, but we hope to enjoy the game with our (future) kids. I still probably wouldn’t take a young child to a night game like we were at last night.
I think age plays a large part as well as the event. A high school indoor basketball game, for example, would be something I’d bring a younger child to rather than a pro or college football game. In the NFL every person is charged for a seat – even babies – discouraging people from bringing their young kids along. Sport games can be rowdy, noisy, and really are not great places for a tiny tot anyway. There will be plenty of time and plenty of years to expose them to various events. What would a <2 year old get out of a game anyway??
When in doubt, I would leave the baby with grandma.
The noise is dangerous to little ears. Anything above 85 db is pretty bad and football ranges between 100-125. You can get baby bandz hearing protector ear muffs. But I take my son anywhere and everywhere that is safe and is child appropriate.
I’m a lot more cautious about what I take my babies too. Babies mean under 1 in my mind. After that I become much more relaxed. We love taking our kids to new places for them. We have a 7 and 4-year-old and have taken them to the rodeo, car track racing, a baseball game, a basketball game, and Disneyland. Obviously this hasn’t happened all this year, but by the time their 2 and 3 years old, it becomes much easier to take them places and know they’ll enjoy themselves as well.
I think it depends on the baby. Our little guy is now three months and the first eight weeks or so he was sooo fussy all the time (we thought he was colic) but whenever we went out to parks or to family events where there was a lot of noise and people, he slept right through it! So wherever there is guaranteed to be noise I would take him but we have yet to take him to a restaurant or anything like that, that’s what the abuelitas are for 😉
Last winter, my aughter was 2 years old, we took her to a bulls game and she loved it, then this summer we took her to 2 cubs games and she hated it. She didn’t like being in the sun, she was bored, there was really no room for her to move around and we ended up leaving before the 6th inning in both cases. I think the bulls game kept her engaged because they do cater to a family outing. Lots of fun events during time outs and in between quarters, great half time events, etc.
I think a couple things can go into this. A sporting event can end up being a lot more stressful than fun with a baby. Like you mentioned, the noise, the stairs and the older the get, the less llkely they are to have fun at these sorts of things (meaning less fun for you too). Also, would it be just a fun night out for you and your hubby? If you know that other couples aren’t going to be bringing their babies, it could just be fun to get out without the baby and have some fun couple time. If we know other kids are going to be somewhere, we bring our little guys, if there aren’t going to be kids, we try to find a sitter. Like I mentioned before, age can play a factor too. Tiny babies are a lot more portable, once they start to move they are a lot harder to take out to events like this.
I thought we’d take our baby everywhere too before we had her (two months ago)- but she’s fussy sometimes and there’s the breastfeeding issue(I wouldn’t want to bf in a stadium-though I will most anywhere)… but the main thing is I think of people who don’t want to waste their tickets and go out even if they have say.. .the flu or some other bug that can be bad for a really little one.
We go out a lot now though and she ALWAYS loves to go go go and she loves people.
I just don’t like getting her around too many sick people.
Its such a personal decision, but for us, we base it around his nap times or bed time. I read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby and I truly believe that our 2 year old has never had sleep missus because I respect his sleep time! That said, he’s old enough now that webreak the rules sometimes. Oh, and when #2 comes along, the first few months he/she will just sleep in the Ergo and go wherever!
Issues not missus. Lol autocorrect!
BEST BOOK EVER. Of all the sleep books I read, this one takes the cake. Our daughter is 9 mths and has STTN since 11 weeks. She’s a happy, steady and predicable baby … so long as she has her 2-3 naps a day 🙂
Oh and when they start to walk, that’s all they want to do, which means stadiums with stairs is not the greatest place to be!
My kids were easy to bring everywhere until they were about 18 months old. After that – I base it on MY patience level. If I can’t handle their behavior they stay home. My 5-year old is really easy to take places now, so it doesn’t last forever! Oh and my they also don’t do well after about 7:30 (which is also their bedtime – so not shocking!), so anything after that – they don’t come. That said, there are ALWAYS exceptions. We’ve done Disney, basketball games, and other shows and they have been angels. It really depends on the event and the people you are hanging with!
I do recommend going out as MUCH as possible when your little lady is small. They are SO portable and easy to deal with – although you might not realize how easy until she gets older!
You know –your baby is going to let you know pretty quick if she minds crowds and noise. My oldest baby always hated being around groups of people –even family groups were too much noise and stimulation. But then the last one couldn’t care less. Newborns are easier — even with my oldest I could vacuum under her car seat and she wouldn’t wake up!
We weren’t big sports watchers, so it wasn’t an issue! But my nephews and my brothers and sisters loved watching and throwing parties! The little ones always likes to go to the party, but would get frightened with the yelling and screaming! (They love it now that they are 6 and 7!)
The first 6-9 mos, you are the exclusive food supply. So where you go, she goes, for anything longer than a couple hours.
Yes, you can pump, but in reality, in my experience, it’s easier to bring the baby than bring the pump and try to pump while you’re out.
For me, I have no local family and with nursing, napping, sleep schedules, and just being tired! we just….stayed home a lot the first year. That’s what worked for our family and everyone will figure out what works for them 🙂
It’s hard, honestly. For the first 6 months when I breastfed exclusively, we honestly didn’t go out much. I think we might have had one or two dates, each for about two hours. We also didn’t take her many places because BF-ing was difficult for us.
It depends on a lot, especially since once they get into a routine, generally you (the parents) are so grateful that you’ll do anything to avoid interrupting it. Now that C is 13-months and well adapted to her routine though, occasionally we shake it up. It’s easier now, too, because she only naps once in the mid-afternoon, so we can go someplace in the morning and the late-afternoon/evening. However, bedtime is just not something I’m willing to mess with unless it’s really important. One missed bedtime can lead to several days of bad sleep, in my experience.
That said, we do make an effort to take her to a variety of places. Farmers markets, family outings, hiking, rock climbing (obviously, she watches ;)), restaurants, car trips…We just try to make it fit in to the general routine of things.
agreed! Routine is so important! Little ones are much happier, well behaved and rested when set nap times/bedtimes are adhered to!
We have a fourth month old and I think it would be too loud for a little one. We went with a group to BWW not long ago with some friends to watch the football games. We left our little girl with her grandparents, but one of the couples brought their little one. It was so loud, the baby cried the whole time. When she would calm down, someone would scream at a play and she would cry again. I know a live game would be even louder.
As a pediatrician in training, I just want to echo the commenters who pointed out babies under 2 months have very undeveloped immune systems and really shouldn’t be in large crowds of any kind if it can be avoided! Even a little cold, easily transmitted at a crowded event, could require a hospitalization for a newborn under certain circumstances. As kids get older they can go more places, but I always get nervous when parents want to immerse their baby in their routines from the get-go… you really can’t take any risks with the littlest ones and just have to hunker down for a bit.
i was planning on laying low for the first few months- this was more for 6 months + that i was wondering
Went to a college football game last night & sat next to a couple that had there 6 week old baby with them, I was really disturbed by it. He cried everytime it got remotely loud & they ended up leaving in the second corner. He was to little, it was 95 degrees & extremely loud. It wasn’t a good idea.
Yeah, I would think not bringing a baby to a sporting event or movie is a no brainer – keep the kid at home. Your lifestyle changes when you have a child…you can’t do things you used to, or go places you used to go…god invented grandparents for a reason.
My little girl is two months and I’ve literally taken her into public twice..
Both times I was very anxious. I always pictured babies as being so “go with the flow,” but I was very surprised to find that they all aren’t. My sweetie is so fussy that we really can’t do much just yet, but I look forward to finally being able to take her! She’s still young so I think the time will come, but I wish someone had told me to be prepared in the sense that every baby is different. You love them so so much but I was taken off guard by feeling like I had to stay home so much. 🙁 either way… There is nothing like being a mother and it is the most rewarding emotional experience ever! 🙂
we totally grew up at UA football games (the grandparents are season ticket holders since forever) and the drag races. some of my earliest memories are running around in the dirt with giant earmuffs on for the noise. i’ve seen even small-ish babies at outdoor concerts and festivals. i think (with the exception of the first few months) that with the proper protection (earmuffs for sensitive baby ears, being strapped safely to mama or daddy, sunscreen, hats, etc.) that baby will dive right into every activity you guys love to do. we were hiking recently down a really steep trail into a beautiful canyon with running water (i barely made it to the bottom alive) and ten minutes later i’m passed by an entire family, dad having what must’ve been a 4 or 5 month old strapped to his back in a hiking carrier. baby was snoozin’ away and i realized that whatever life you lead, your baby will eagerly fit right in. i say (once she has a few months under her belt), snap up that U of A onesie and maybe she can bring us good vibes to mckale for basketball season!
We take Maya everywhere with us, and have from the beginning. She’s 9 mths now and just the happiest little peanut. Because she has a good nap/sleep routine, she is content and easy-going. We were invited to a UofMichigan game this coming weekend and are trying to figure if we bring her or not. I think it will depend on what time the game is at. Or maybe we’ll just tailgate and watch the game from a bar in Ann Arbor!!
I think it depends a lot on your little one’s personality. I took my little guy for lots of walks/errands between months 2 to 4 and he would sleep in the carrier or the stroller but after that I stayed home to ensure he was getting his naps in the crib. He slept better in the crib…and that was my time to relax and/or get some stuff done. Starting at 6 or 7 months his naps were more predictable so I would run errands/take him for outings prior to/after his naps/bedtime. He gets really fussy when he doesn’t nap and then its just not fun for either of us to be out:)!! I know this won’t be forever, so for now, I just ensure he gets his rest when he needs it.
Also wanted to add that I loved our time at home, just me and my buddy:)…little man is 10 months old and now NEEDS to get out a couple of times a day as he seems to get bored at home.
Very excited for you!!!
I grew up going to Cal football games from a very young age. My dad played on the team there in college so when we lived in Northern California we went to a lot of games. I have been told they would lay down a blanket under the chairs and I would go to sleep if I was tired. To this day I can sleep anywhere, anytime. I wonder if sleeping through college football games made this possible.
Ha – I think I’ve always done the exact same thing at football games: cheer when everyone else cheers. 🙂 Being on the dance team (aka required to be at every game) during college helped me understand the basic premise, but yeah, I don’t understand the exact rules. And don’t care to. 🙂
We (BC) played Stanford at one point during my college years and I had that same thought–wtf is up with that mascot?! Nerds. 😉
I have 2 kids aged 5 and 8. I was never a fan of the stay home for 6 months stuff. Both my kids started getting toted around at 5 weeks of age, they went most places with me. As far games, I am from Detroit and both kids went to Tiger (baseball) and Lions (football) at 4-5 months of age. The times they did not go was when I wanted my husband to myself.
I exposed them to many different things and I attribute their outgoing personalities and willingness to try new things to this. I did not shield them from normal life.
Just my 2 cents!
I have 2 kids aged 5 and 8. I was never a fan of the stay home for 6 months stuff. Both my kids started getting toted around at 5 weeks of age, they went most places with me. As far games, I am from Detroit and both kids went to Tiger (baseball) and Lions (football) at 4-5 months of age. The times they did not go was when I wanted my husband to myself.
I exposed them to many different things and I attribute their outgoing personalities and willingness to try new things to this. I did not shield them from normal life.
Just my 2 cents!
We have a 3.5 month old baby and he goes almost everywhere with us. We wanted to start taking him to restaurants right away and continue to do so as he grows…we feel like this will get him used to this type of environment and will (hopefully) lead him to understand how to act appropriately in restaurants as he gets older. Obviously I get it that he’s a baby and doesn’t understand YET. Eventually he’ll learn that farting and puking isn’t appropriate restaurant behavior, right?? ?
Like some people mentioned above we really base where we take him on his sleep schedule and I think this has helped quite a bit. He’s been sleeping through the night for quite awhile and is one of the happiest babies ever. We try to be home during nap times whenever possible and try to keep him on a feeding and napping schedule (although his overall routine has changed a few times). Most sporting events would end too late so we probably wouldn’t take him, but otherwise I think he would be just fine!
We took our daughter to her first football game a week ago and she did great! My husband sported the Baby Bjorn and she slept most of the time. We did cover her little ears when the cannon was shot, but the noise didn’t bother her at all. We decided not to go to a game this weekend though because of how bad the opposing teams fans are. It was not a good environment for kids let alone a baby. I think it depends on when the game is and the opponent.
I would say sporting events at night…. no :S
During the day is maybe different but I think sporting events can get a bit rowdy (aka. drunk adults) and I don’t know if that’s appropriate for the baby.
Disneyland is more family friendly… I don’t really see sporting events as being family friendly (until the kids are 5 years old or so)
I will leave my kids at home if: they won’t have fun, I won’t have fun, the other people there won’t have fun.
I will bring my kids there if: there are other kids there, it won’t just be a bunch of adults and my kids, I’m not putting anyone out of their comfort zone.
Adapting is good and all, but sometimes kids will have a lot more fun at gramma’s house than a football game.
Also want to say, babies are way way way different than toddlers and older kids. In my experience, babies can and will chill just about anywhere (until they won’t).
We are huge fans of taking Grace most places with us. We operate on her feeding/sleep schedule, but so far she’s gone from Louisiana to New York (PCS move… Coulda flown!) from NY to New Hampshire, to DC a few times, Times Square, the subway, restaurants, etc. She sleeps through some, observes a little, and is generally well behaved. She’s been sick once (a minor cold for 2 days) and loves social settings. To each her own for sure, but this is what works for us 🙂
i agree with everyone who said it depends on the personality of the baby! Both of my daughters didnt nap well in public at all! They would rather stay awake and look/observe everything! problem was then they would get so overtired they couldn’t sleep at all or stay asleep for very long! Instituting scheduled nap times and bedtime was the best thing we ever did! So if the game or any other activity interfered with those times usually we passed unless it was very important! Life gets a lot easier when they get about 12-18 months, on one nap a day, and you can let them stay up a little later at night without it affecting them much! Although i have friends whose children slept pretty well in public! This in turn means they behave better is what i’m getting at! You’ll know how you’re little one will handle situations when she arrives! But in general i say grandparents to the rescue!
By the age of 6 mos. I think you’ll know your baby well– if she sleeps through noise, etc. And if you prefer being in more predictable circumstances with her, too. I know I didn’t even like going to restaurants much with a baby, much less a stadium. It was just too stressful, wondering who I was bothering, if I’d have to go walk around with her, etc. Walking around a stadium with a baby might be a big drag. All the ‘excuse me, excuse me’ as you move out of your seat. I got used to all my tools— the bouncy seats, the crib, the swing, the changing table, etc. I liked being near them.
A lot depends on the child. A lot of times at sporting events the relative quiet followed by sudden loud noise scares young children. This would even happen to my kids when we were at home watching football – my husband would begin screaming something like, “Go, go you %^&&….” and my little ones would start crying. Also, if you are nursing for the whole first year then nursing in a loud venue is something some babies have a tough time with. OTOH – I think that taking your baby/young child to social events and such is a great thing and by and large works really well – especially if you have a good carrier. I had a sling and an Ergo and loved them both. I suspect that you will “just know” whether this is something your little family can handle when the time comes.
Whoever mentioned a “family” section at their stadium – too cool!
I haven’t read all the comments, so this might be a repeat. But, based on personal experience, these are the sorts of things I take into consideration:
1. Personality/current mood of the baby. Can they handle it? Will they freak? Sometimes you don’t know, but you can often make a good guess. Are they easily scared of loud noises? Or are they usually great but extra tired and fussy?
2. Your personality/current mood. Good day, not worn out or irritable? Sure, a little fussing or extra effort on a baby won’t push you over the edge. Grumpy? Had enough? Yeah, skip the event (movies, dining out, party, football game, etc).
3. How much help will be available. Will your hubby enjoy it if he has to take a turn when you’re at your wits end? Will you be resentful if he wants to just focus on the game? Will your friends happily help? Or will they be irritated? I love going to dinner with my extended family ’cause everyone will help with my kids so I’m not stressed out trying to get them to mind their manners. But I don’t love taking them if it’s just me and my hubby ’cause I turn into a nag and don’t enjoy the meal, lol.
4. The event itself. Time, weather, nap/sleeping accomodations, places for them to move around/wander if they’re older, amount of noise/lights, etc. An earlier game (or not during the middle of naps/bedtime) with decent weather is totally different than a game at 7:00pm when it’s chilly. Also, a young baby would be easier to take to a game than a 1 year old who would LOVE the stairs and insist on climbing them. Sure you can wrangle them and “make” them sit with you, but it’s a lot of work. So, do you brave it and let them run wild? Or pull your hair out trying to keep them in their seat? Or just watch from home?
A movie at a theater? My first baby would sit through a movie and NEVER make a peep (but for the record I always bought tickets knowing I would end up in the hall if she wasn’t silent, ’cause I hate rude parents in theaters, lol). But my son? I knew him better than to even attempt it.
It just depends on so many things and you’ll figure it out. I wanted my kids to “adapt” but I also learned that their little bodies can only adapt so much. They NEED sleep (and a lot of it) and a tired baby makes a cranky and difficult baby. Not to mention that sleep is so healthy for their developing brains. So, I tried to work with their personalities to figure out which events would work for them, but recognized that *sometimes* i had to just deal with either staying home or having a “less than relaxing” time at an event. It’s still fun, even with baby in tow, but just something to get used to. I love my kids and wouldn’t trade it for the world. You’ll figure it all out… a little of *almost* everything in moderation is usually just fine for most babies.