to think taking a 5-month-old to a concert is ridiculous?

[BonkersforBonJovi]

My DH has 'scored' us a pair of tickets to see Bon Jovi in June. The problem is we will have a 5-month-old. It is an outdoor concert in Hyde Park I believe, and DH is adamant that he wants DS to go with us. He says it will be good for him to get used to music and we will all have a good time. He suggests leaving pushchair at home and me toting DS in a front-carrying sling during said concert.

AIBU to think this is madness?

*bust = busy

What would a 5-month old get out of it? They probably won't want to be held all the time (even in a sling).
I don't understand why you don't want to make it as easy as possible for all involved and leave them at home.

I don't think it's necesserily a crazy idea but it's not something I would do personally. I went to one of the Wireless gigs at Hyde Park this year and agree that you could stand close to the back, still see and hear but not get squished.
You always see parents with small children and babies at festivals, it's not totally out of the ordinary. But for me I know I wouldn;t enjoy it. I'd be worrying about the noise (there is no way my DS would keep the ear defenders on!), nappy changing, the weather, sleep etc etc.
I think you are either the type of person who can happily take their babies to frestivals, travelling etc, or you're not. And you don't sound like you are!

Oh and I also meant to add, taking the child along is not for their benefit is it?!

If it was in an arena I would say he is, but in Hyde Park there is loads of space away from the crowds.
Definately get him to have the sling though
PS There is no health or hearing concern and babies do not require peace and quiet! If tired they sleep through it. Also I second what others have said about sun protection/shade.

It does say that the event is unsuitable for young children as it will be busy and loud!
I personally think its crazy. You will not enjoy it as you will be so concerned for your baby! I think its hilarious that he thinks it will be 'good for him' to get used to music!!!

DD2 came to a festival with us (and her big sister who had reached the lofty heights of aged 4.5 years) when she was 12 weeks old. She slept through most Athlete's set whilst wearing a very fetching pair of ear defenders and being carried in a sling.

At the age of 4 months she came along to the Abba concert in Hyde Park. Again she wore ear defenders and I carried her in a sling plus we travelled by Tube/train/bus/foot and survived the experience. DD2 was definitely the smallest baby we saw at Hyde Park but she was well wrapped up and enjoyed it more than the exhausted pre-school children that were present - DD1 was at home with DH on that occasion. I took a waterproof-backed picnic blanket and put DD2 on that for part of the evening.

If your DH is the one who is so keen to go I do think it makes sense to ensure that he carries the sling (with baby in it) and takes responsibility for buying decent ear defenders etc.
It was absolutely fine on both occasions and I am the least cool person on the planet when it comes to gigs - I last saw a 'band' perform live way back in 1994 when Crowded House were still CH.

Not crazy at all. Babies are wonderfully portable. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Why would your back hurt using a sling for a 5 5 month old? 5 months old is a tiny baby and you can put him on your back, hip, front, switch sides and views or even swap between parents. I really don't see the trouble (I'd be much warier taking a 2-3-4 year old, they are buggers even when they are in the sling!)

Have fun :)

I've seen many babies at festivals and outdoor gigs (not indoor gigs though). All with ear protectors, I must add.

I think organisers are actually providing baby changing alongside the portaloos these days, in fact I remember Bestival, on the Isle of Wight, had a 'Breastival' breast-feeding tent.

Decorated to look like a boob, natch.