Would you take a newborn to the Nutcracker?

Snowbride02

Lucy is almost 5 and I'm thinking about taking her to see the Nutcracker this year.  However, we have a new baby due October 29th, so the baby would be 4 to 6 weeks old when we went.  The only way I'd go is if the baby comes with us.  I will be nursing and don't want to leave the baby for 4 or so hours to go.  I think it would probably be fine since the baby would sleep through most of it and I could just nurse her if she got fussy.  What do you think?

EliseB0323

No, I wouldn't. The baby might be fine. But there's just as much chance she would be fussy and cry. How would you take her out of the theater if you have the 5-year-old with you? If you decide to bring the baby, I would bring another adult along to stay with the 5-year-old if you have to leave with the baby.

Snowbride02

There would be 3 other adults, no other kids.  So, there would be other people to stay with Lucy if I had to go out to the lobby with the baby.

Cbidt's girl

My newborns didn't sleep peacefully for hours ever. Especially kid2. He fussed, wailed, and wiggled for most of the first 6 months. A ballet would have been miserable and I would have spent half if it in the lobby bouncing and walking. If there are 3 other adults available I'd let your daughter have a special day with 2 of them and get the third to stay home with you!

Arnegard

I think my babies would have been fine.  With a boobie in their mouth, they'd be quiet unless they pooped.  Which also at that age was like 10 times a day!  I would worry more about DD not feeling special because I had to pay attention to the baby and not her (or not as much).  I would seriously consider paying for the tickets for Grandma our a special Aunt to take her instead of a distracted me.  My MIL took my girls to the movies right after DD3 was born, I got free tickets but theatres here to not admit babies at all, so I couldn't go & wouldn't leave DD3.

Zenya

totally depends on the baby.  would have been fine with my girls but not with my son.

juniper19

My first was colicky.  There was no way I would have brought her to a ballet, or anywhere she needed to be quiet for any amount of time.  But if you get a seat on the aisle and are prepared to walk out at the first sign of fussing, then OK. 

AggieCouple

Is it a professional performance?  Our ballet has a minimum age requirement of 7.

GinandTonic

I don't think that's fair to anyone, including your newborn.  What if you have the best intentions and she's a colicky, miserable mess?

I know you want to be there with her, but given that you said there would be 3 other adults, I would just send them, if you did anything at all.

 I may amend that statement if you say it's a children's performance, but even then, that's pushing it.

femmegem

GinandTonic:

I don't think that's fair to anyone, including your newborn.  What if you have the best intentions and she's a colicky, miserable mess?

I know you want to be there with her, but given that you said there would be 3 other adults, I would just send them, if you did anything at all.

Exactly this.

Snowbride02

Thanks for the feedback.  I am going to wait until next year to take her and then will be able to leave the baby at home.  I know she is going to love it and it's one of those things I want to be there with her to experience, especially her first time.

shopgirl78

I agree, it depends on the baby.  I took DS2 to the movies as a NB, air show, DDs dance recital,  etc.He was fine and nursed when he was hungry...no big deal.  DD would have been harder to take as a baby though.

I plan on taking DD to the Nutcracker also but the boys will stay home.    

jlw2505

No, if the baby is fussy and nursing is not doing the trick - you will need to get up and leave and then what will you do with your older child?