Question: Taking babies to games?

[bonehouse81]

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Me and the wife scored two tickets to VaTech-Bama, and we're debating whether we should leave the little guy to the left at home (we figure he could make it on his own for a couple days, if need be ) or take him to the game. He'll be four months old by then.

To anyone with any experience: Is this a terrible idea? Can it work? Do I need baby shooting ear muffs?

He's actually a very good-tempered baby who doesn't seem to mind loud social settings (which hasn't yet included a dome full of thousands of rabid football fans).

Any thoughts? Thanks ...

[bayoutider]

You asked for an opinion

There is no way I would bring a 4 month old baby to a major football game like the Bama vs VT game. First of all the child may be required to have a ticket, yeah I know you will be holding the child but that's the way it is unless you get some gatekeeper to turn his head. Second it's going to be loud and hot for at least 4 hours. Third ever change a diaper in a football stadium? Fourth the whole experience will be a bummer for either you or those around you. My advice is toss a couple extra bottles of milk in the crib and leave the baby at home.

[SavannahDare]

I'm the expert on this subject, having taken both my girls to numerous sporting events and on numerous road/plane trips during their infancy and toddler years.

1. You would have to have a ticket for the baby. Ridiculous as that sounds, it is true. That right there is reason enough to leave the baby home with a sitter.

2. In the event you do decide to pony up the money for a ticket, it can be perfectly manageable, but you and the wife have to be well-prepared for the unexpected. Your baby is 4 mos old, so you know by now that he/she can expel copious amounts of fluids out either end at any given time. Bring plenty of diapers, wipes, burp cloths and a change of outfit (my husband and I used to even bring a change of shirt for ourselves in the event of being hit with the aforementioned expelled fluids). Don't forget the little travel packets of formula - those are invaluable. Also, bring the diaper bag that has the changing pad in it. Don't expect a changing table to be attached to the bathroom wall. We changed our girls on the floor of many a bathroom back in the day - having that changing pad was a MUST.

3. Once you have all the basic baby needs addressed, you have to consider the actual environmental factors. You never know what type of people will be seated near you, unless you've got a large block of tickets. If you're unlucky enough to have a loudmouth drunk near you, remember they tend to be disruptive and sloppy. Dropped drinks/bottles and soft baby heads don't mix. Also, bayou is right about the noise. My girls never minded it when they were as young as yours, but as they got a few months older they didn't like the sudden loud eruptions of cheers. You also have to consider your manner of carrying the baby. For an infant, those snuggli things are nice. As they get older and can sit/support their heads, one of those compact backpacks are amazing! I think we had one made by Evenflo?? It was very streamlined and didn't take up a lot of room. We could wear the toddler on our back and not get in the way of the folks behind us, so long as we stood, which is what we did for most of the game anyway.

4. All that being said, your ability to take the baby on trips, games, etc is really determined by your own (and especially your wife's) personality/disposition. Some new parents are very anxious about having their babies out and about in crowds and don't adjust well to the unexpected. Others are more able to "go with the flow," so to speak. Those in the latter group tend to do better, as do their little ones. Only you know yourself and your wife. Go with your gut. My husband and I traveled extensively with our girls. It was great to get out and about and now, at 9 & 7 years old, they still travel well. It takes lots of forethought and planning for the unexpected, but the rewards can be longlasting and you can create memories to last a lifetime.

Hope this is helpful. Roll Tide!

[thetideinmd]

it's my Luck, i'd be the one setting next to you. please let the kid at home!

[Relayer]

Do yourself, everyone around you, and especially the kid, a big favor. Leave the little tyke at home.

[buzzincuzzin]

If you plan on watching the game,,,,, most of it will be standing. Holding an extra 12-15lbs plus the beer could be exhausting. Better start the push-ups and curls now.

[bonehouse81]

Wow — thank you very much for that very thorough response, SavannahDare, and also bayoutider. Special mention to the guy who blew me up with his laser gun.

Yeah, I was kind of thinking it would be a bad idea. Unless I got a few responses like, "People take babies to games all the time and it works out great!" I didn't think it was going to work out.

We're conflicted, though, because my wife is breastfeeding, and if we left him behind, it may be difficult to build up that much extra milk to be away from him for 2 1/2 days (I know formula won't kill him or anything, but we're really trying hard to go milk-only ).

We'll figure something out, though. Thank you again for the responses!

[SavannahDare]

If she starts pumping extra each day now, there won't be a problem having enough for the little one to be without her for several days. For breast milk production, it's a demand determines supply thing. The more she pumps, the more supply she'll put out and she'll be able to leave behind a good supply for the babysitter to be able to heat up. I stopped breastfeeding after a few weeks (it's just NOT in my makeup to be able to do it), but have lots of friends and family who pumped extra all along during their nursing days, and they all said they were amazed at how their bodies responded to the demand.

Good luck no matter what y'all decide.

[Relayer]

Instead of leaving the baby for 2.5 days maybe you could find a friend or relative in/near ATL to keep him during the game or take someone with you on the trip that can babysit. If not, maybe cut the trip a bit shorter.

If your wife is anything like mine, it's going to be awfully difficult to talk her into leaving her nursing baby for 2.5 days.

[bonehouse81]

	Quote:	SavannahDare
	If she starts pumping extra each day now, there won't be a problem having enough for the little one to be without her for several days. For breast milk production, it's a demand determines supply thing. The more she pumps, the more supply she'll put out and she'll be able to leave behind a good supply for the babysitter to be able to heat up. I stopped breastfeeding after a few weeks (it's just NOT in my makeup to be able to do it), but have lots of friends and family who pumped extra all along during their nursing days, and they all said they were amazed at how their bodies responded to the demand. Good luck no matter what y'all decide.

Breastfeeding seems like it would be the simplest, easiest, most natural thing in the world, but it is definitely not!

We (um ... she) may very well try to up the pumping, but as Relayer suggested in his post above, I could almost hear her heart breaking at the thought of leaving the little guy behind for so long

Thanks again for the helpful advice!

[thetideinmd]

	Quote:	bonehouse81
	Wow — thank you very much for that very thorough response, SavannahDare, and also bayoutider. Special mention to the guy who blew me up with his laser gun.

sorry, the only way i know to make my point. my wife and i don't have kids and my tolerance for them is low.
here where we live so many parents are disrespectful of others around them.

[bonehouse81]

	Quote:	thetideinmd
	sorry, the only way i know to make my point. my wife and i don't have kids and my tolerance for them is low. here where we live so many parents are disrespectful of others around them.

hahaha — maybe that's for the best if you're so quick on the trigger with your laser gun. No worries, friend ...

[bamanut_aj]

an even easier solution would be to leave the baby AND your wife at home, and give me your ticket. I can meet you there. I promise to leave my wife and baby at home, too.