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Parenting after 35
Bringing baby to movie theater
This may be flameworthy, but honestly, I have no idea if it is appropriate to do this or not.
LO is 5 weeks old, and we are considering taking her to a matinee to watch Twilight (embarrassing, I know). We don't have family close by to watch LO. In fact, it has just been DH and myself caring for her since I gave birth. Do you think it is inappropriate to take a 5 week old to a movie, even if it is an 11am showing on a weekday? Does movie volume matter with regards to hurting LO's ears (I'm assuming this may be a louder movie compared to a G rated show)? We would sit in the back, have formula/paci on hand, and be ready to leave if she makes a sound.
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Re: Bringing baby to movie theater
No flames from me. Going to the movies was our "thing" pre-LO and I do miss it. Now we save movie dates for when we're off from work and LO is at daycare.
Baby Pictures. Movies in a baby-friendly setting--dimmed lights, lower volume. You might've looked into this already, but it's here just in case. I don't know where you're located, so I don't know if it will even help you. It seems It's pretty limited. You could call your local theaters & see if they offer anything like this.
@sugarchick - Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, it doesn't include our state =( I'll probably call a few theaters to see if there is something similar.
@yale - We've had a few friends offer in the beginning, but no follow up. I'm not sure if friends offer to be "polite" and don't really expect you to ask them, or if they really mean it? DH and I are desperate to watch a movie or have dinner out by ourselves. 24/7 care has been rough, and we would love a break for a few hours.
I have, quite a few times. I wore whoever it was, wore a zipped hoodie, and brought a nursing blanket and soother. We deliberately picked a late showing, near when bedtime hit. I'd nurse till I had a sleeper, pop in the soother, zip my hoodie a bit and usually I'd not have a waking baby. I also nicked some of dh's moldable ear plugs and popped those in lo's ears.
I've maybe done that a dozen times or so, but the only time it didn't work was when T was about 10 months. She used to be able to sleep everywhere as long as I was there, but it wasn't happening this time. Apparently, the movie was too fascinating (one of the LOTR movies) and she stood up and started yelling HO-SEY, HO-SEY and getting excited. I ended up leaving the theatre, she was louder than the movie! Had I left her with anyone, dh or mil included, she could scream until I got back. So we skipped movies for a while, it wasn't worth the aggrivation.
If lo is a good sleeper, I would, but I wouldn't do it beyond 4-5 months or so.
Nope.. I wouldn't do it. Mostly for the inconvenience of it all to you, the baby and your fellow movie goers if you have to get up and walk out, baby cries, etc.
Besides, you two need a real date night.
Call up one of the people who offered to sit and flat-out ask them to sit with DD while you go out. It might take some scheduling, considering it's a busy time of year for most people. Just be matter-of-fact and get yourself a sitter!
Haribo-
DH and I took Natalia to an early showing of Cars 2 when she was 5 weeks. She was out cold the entire movie and didn't make a peep. There were honestly like two other people in the entire theater. What you could do is go very close to the starting time and ask them how many seats they have sold (you may get lucky and have no other theater goers) GL I know how hard it is with no breaks. Try to get some alone time with DH if you can.
Take care,
JM
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I don't think you're going to find the theater crowded during the day, so if LO sleeps, you would more than likely be ok. Now the volume is another thing...I don't know if it's too loud for a baby. Other people seem to think it is, so for that reason alone, I'd probably pass. I would definitely take your friends up on their offer...why not? It's not all day....just a few hours for a movie and then a quick lunch.
Yup, leave baby at home, so the two of you can get a night out. Call one of the friends who offered to sit. They'll be much happier to do it now than in a few months when baby is moving and recognizes they are a stranger. You could also go on care.com, and select a sitter in your area. Heck, if you're in WI, send me a PM.
My first experience going to a movie with DH after DS was born was a struggle to keep awake. Good opportunity to have that Coke or pepsi to help yourself enjoy the movie.
Thanks everyone. I am going to "test" some friendships and see if someone will be willing to babysit for a few hours
If that doesn't work out, I will definitely look at care.com. Or we will suck it up for a few more weeks until we see our relatives for the holidays!
@mwd: You are soooooo nice to offer to watch her. Thank you. I was really touched by that! If only we were in WI =(
I just read an article in American Baby about this. The volume DOES matter. They say that any noise that registers 90 decibles or higher can injure your LOs hearing. Many theaters (includeing kids movies) register at over 130. I would wait for the dvd to be on the safe side. Or maybe you could each go alone and the other can stay with the baby.
I know what it is like to feel trapped at home at that time. My parents live several states away, and my MIL lives 40 min away and works full time. I am lucky that my neighbor is willing to watch my DS so I can go to his Baptism class.
Good luck to you. I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way
Just because your friends haven't followed up doesn't mean that they changed their minds. Ask one of them if they would mind sitting with the baby so you can get a break.
IMO, if you leave the minute the baby makes a sound... it's feasible (especially during a week day) and not awful.
But I honestly HATE when people bring babies (small children) to movies and they make noise and ruin your enjoyment of the film. That's why my DH and I have only been to a handful of movies in the theaters since Aaron was born (and he's 2.25).
Bronx Zoo: Summer 2013
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