Taking an Infant to the Movies???

I'm a first time Mommy and took my son to the movies with me when he was only about 3 weeks old. I sat in the back and nursed once and he slept the rest of the time. I don't, however, totally recommend it as it was a little loud (we saw Charlie Wilson's War). While he did phenomenally well and didn't let out a peep, that's the last time I went to a movie in the past 6 mos! :-( You may also want to consider a sitter or another alternative than taking your infant to the movies with you as you can have the movies be that special thing you do w/ just your older son, so he still gets some one-on-one time w/ Mommy and doesn't feel left out w/ a new baby brother around to steal all of the attn! Congrats on the newborn!

I never would have dreamed of doing it with my first or second child. When the third rolled around and the other two were 7 and 5, there was no way to avoid it (other than to keep the two older kids cloisted at home). I highly recommend it. I found it to be the best and easiest place to take your older kids out and not to have to worry about the newborn. We went around a normal sleeping time for the baby and I simply chose a seat in the back and discretely nursed if I needed to (I was a little too modest to nurse in public). I now recommed it to all of my friends, including first-time parents. As for the noise, I did not find it to be a problem (especially at children's movies). Moreover, research on newborns shows that they actually tend to fall asleep when confronted with noice or overstimulation (they do grow out of that fairly quickly). Mine slept right through.

There is no way I would take an infant to the movies. They crank up the volume so loud in there - I'm afraid of damaging their hearing. I don't think it worth the risk. I would get a babysitter or one spouse stay home. I have seen parents take their infants to the movies and most of the time they end up leaving because the baby is crying. Or worse, they stay and the crying baby ruins it for everyone else.

i don't like the theatre, myself, because it's usually too cold and loud. My hubby and i take our baby to the drive in with us when there's a new release that we really want to see. we have an SUV and when we get there, just camp out in the back of with, with the back seat down. it's a nice alternative because we don't have family close by to babysit and i would really hate to leave my little guy with a stranger. it's also cheaper to get in and you can take your own snacks! plus, you can control the volume and climate, to a point

I agree that movies are SO LOUD! Leave the little one with someone else or look into movies outdoors at the park.

I have a 3 year old and also a 7 month old. We are going to go see one of the free regal movies next week. Maybe also look into going to a local park to see movies. Several parks in Mont. County offer free movies also. That might be a good alternative.

Heres my opinion from somene who tried it, WAIT! there will be many more Movies

get there a little early to get a back seat and enjoy i took all of mine they are fine only selective hearing issues lol..
it when they are 1-3 you want to leave them home

If you are concerned about the movie being too loud for your infant, stay home. They're too loud for me! You can borrow lots of movies from the library and have your own special movie nights at home with lights out, popcorn and treats.

I would also be concerned that your baby might disturb those around you at the movies, or that you might not get to enjoy much of the movie yourself. If you decide to go, sit in the back, so you can slip out quietly if necessary.

I took my oldest (now 5yrs) to the movies when she was about 6 or 8 weeks old. I was concerned the whole time because it was so loud in the theater. I now have 3 kids- had my third on 5/21, and I was thinking of taking my middle child to the free movies, but I think I'll need to find some way to protect the little one's ears. I've seen earphones, like they use at fireworks or concerts, but they don't fit til the child is more like 8 months, I think. I was planning on asking the pediatrician at her one month check up. I'll keep my eyes on the responses to your posting to see if anyone else has any ideas :)

I know there are several movie theatres in town that offer kids movies during the day that are lower sound/higher lights. And no big deal if the baby cries. Just call and see if your theatre offers them.

the sooner you get him used to noises when he sleeps the better. if he is a good sleeper,take him to the movies.it is dark so he may sleep and you will be able to nurse him. when my son was small we took him everywhere so he would used to being in the car and going on trips. he goes fishing and crabbing with us. he is almost 11 months old. when he was not even two weeks old we took him to atlantic city so his grandpa could meet him,he works security at trump plaza. it sounds like you know what you want you just need that nudge to do it. try it and see how it works.

I would not do it becsue the movie would be too loud for the baby.
Jade

I say go for it. I'm actually taking my 22 month old son today for the first time. R/C theaters in Hanover plays free movies on tuesday and wednesday at 10 am for little ones. Today is Shrek the Third. Since it is free, you can always leave and not worry about wasting the money. I know friends who say that their baby actually slept. Good luck!

well i am not sure about hearing issues but we took our daughter to the movies when she was a newborn. we took her in in her carseat and most of the time she slept right through the entire movie. is your baby startled easily by noise? my daughter wasn't cause we lived in a noisy house. i also carried two birpie cloths to place on either side of her head, ears if she were to fuss but she rarely did. we took her to quite a few movies as an infant.

I really don't think it will damage his ears. We took my son to see Cars when my daughter was an infant and shes fine. Its not as loud as a concert.

Hi,

I took my son to see the movie Cars and had his little brother with us. I think my younger son was 5 months old at the time. I brought in the stroller with infant carrier and parked in the space for a wheelchair (I would have moved if someone had needed it but the other space for a wheel chair was open as well). The baby liked the movie more than my older son. My Mother-in-Law was with me, it was nice to have an extra set of hands. Do what you are comfortable with.

Hi J.,

Congrats on your new baby! I think it is fine to take your baby to the movies. I used to take my son with me quite a bit. At Cinneplex North they have movies specifically designed for kids and they keep the lighting up a bit and the sound down a bit so that it isn't quite so loud. I took my son all the time. He would usually just nurse and go to sleep. Your baby might be a little scared at first, but chances are all of the noises will just lull him to sleep. You can also ask the movie theater when you go in to lower the sound volume a little bit - chances are they will gladly accommodate your request.

J.

A Mother's Boutique
Maternity & Breastfeeding clothing, Nursing Bras, Breast Pumps, Slings and Accessories.
MamaSource members save 10% off their first order (excluding breastpumps) with coupon MAMASOURCE
http://www.mothersboutique.com

Go for it. AMC theaters used to have a Reel Moms thing where they showed grown up movies but you could bring babies with you. The theater was invariably crowded and the kids never seemed to mind the movie...most slept through it. I understand the need to find things to do with a 3 year old and you can't just stay all cooped up in the house. Have fun!

Hi Jenn. If I were you I would hook up with another parent and swap...you can take the boys to the movies while she watches your infant then the next time she goes you stay home. The sound levels at theaters is really getting extreme! I don't go to movies very often with my girls anymore because of how loud it is in the theather, and I wouldn't dream of taking a baby into one. But you also need to spend time with your oldest...without the baby! The movies is a great way to make him feel special and give him a break from the demands of a new sib! Good luck, congrats and best wishes!!

Urban Mommies and the Waterworks Theater host a weekly Mommy and Baby Movie every Tuesday morning at 10:30am. Check it out at www.urban-mommies.com/activities and scroll to the bottom of the page. The listings are updated every Friday and are first run movies...I know this wouldn't be appropriate to bring a 3 year old to every week due to the content of the films, but they do show kids movies too.
Have fun!

J.,

Loew's at the Waterfront offers a movie for new mom's (at least they did last time I checked, which was about 8-9 months ago). I think it is at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. They don't really dim the lights and there are kids and babies everywhere, lots of noise, diapers being changed on seats, but perfect for taking the little ones.

Good luck,

C.

Hi J.,

Congratulations on the new baby!!!

I personally think it's fine to take the baby to the movies, the only issue you may have is it being too loud and the baby getting startled you may have to leave, hopefully, your 3 year old would understand (I would try to explain that in advance). I know my sister (who watches my kids) took my girls to the movies w/her kids when mine were young and I don't recall their being any problem. I would suggest sitting in the back so you can sneak out quickly if needed.

Good Luck!!

S.

Hi!
When my second child was born, my oldest was 2 1/2 and a friend of mine and I thought it would be fun to take the kids to the movies too! So, I put my three week old in a sling and took him in with us. He slept the whole time, and of course I had a bottle and binkie ready just in case. My 2 1/2 year old had a blast and I relaxed about the adventure 1/2 way thru the movie! Enjoy!