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Original poster

Can I take a 4 week old baby to the cinema?

29 replies

PrisonerZero · 15/07/2011 10:40

I would love to go and see the new Harry Potter film next week. I was thinking of going on a week day when older DC are at school and hopefully the cinema will be less full than on a weekend or evening.

Can I take my 4 week old? I can't go otherwise as have no one to watch him, don't want to leave him and am breastfeeding. I will already feel like a saddo going on my own, but don't have anyone to go with Blush

I would sit near the exit and hopefully feed him to sleep and then if he stirs, feed him some more. I would take him out if he disturbs anyone. Also, will it be to loud for him? Maybe the cinema wont even allow him to come in?

It would be nice to get out of the house and do something nice.

OP posts:
hiccymapops · 15/07/2011 10:41

I think it's a lovely idea, you can have gorgeous cuddles while you watch your film Smile

cestlavielife · 15/07/2011 10:42

go to a baby scream session - most cinemas have them . check your local cinemas
www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/newbies/

hiccymapops · 15/07/2011 10:42

If it is a bit too loud, you can always leave Smile

misdee · 15/07/2011 10:43

course u can. i took dd4 to see the half blood prince, she slept and fed most of the film.

OrdinaryJo · 15/07/2011 10:43

If you live in a big city check the listings for 'baby cinema' where they have early morning showings especially for parents and babes-in-arms. That way no one will mind if there is a screaming incident and you can get a coffee afterwards and maybe meet some chums for next time!

I think the cinema can refuse entry to people under the age limit so you might get turned away, but it will probably depend on who is on the door - obviously you won't get turned away at a baby showing.

DandyGilver · 15/07/2011 10:46

Try a baby cinema screening. Most cinemas do them mostly in the morning. (My Odeon would take orders for tea/coffee etc and then deliver them to your seat - very civilised and welcome when you are juggling a baby and all the kit)

MrBitey · 15/07/2011 10:46

I think it's a lovely idea too Smile I would be happy to go to a regular screning but some cinemas, the VUE for example, also do mother and baby screenings of lots of films. Might be worth checking out?

AuntiePickleBottom · 15/07/2011 10:48

go for it, most newborns sleep through anything

DogsBestFriend · 15/07/2011 10:49

As long as you don't mind being bollocked if baby does disturb people.

It's all very well to say that you'll take him out if he starts crying but by that time he's already caused the disturbance, you can't rewind him!

It's a bit like babies at weddings, isn't it?

I wouldn't have done it myself - and yes, that did mean that I simply didn't go as I had neither partner or childcare.

Original poster
PrisonerZero · 15/07/2011 10:52

Thank you - I had never heard of baby viewings, but it sounds brilliant, I have looked on the link and they do them at my local cinema! Thank you for the link, I am going to book now!

OP posts:
tinker316 · 15/07/2011 10:55

I took DD 2 see The Black Swan- was lovely 2 go out & do something 'normal'!!

thesurgeonsmate · 15/07/2011 10:58

If you look into it, you'll find that most cinemas have policies allowing "babes-in-arms." I have taken mine to both mother-and-baby and regular screenings with great success. Obviously it depends on the baby, but you won't know unless you try, and wouldn't it be nice if it turns out that you've got one of the cinema-loving ones? I can remember the first time I went to the cinema, it felt amazing.

NestaFiesta · 15/07/2011 10:59

I wouldn't. Tried with my DS2 when he was 9 weeks old and it was bloody deafening for me- God knows what it was like for him. I was covering his ears and his other ear was against my chest (he was in a sling) but I felt him actually vibrating with the noise. HP7 is going to be very loud with lots of action scenes. I was only watching Alvin and The Chipmunks and my baby wriggled and grizzled every time there was a loud noise. In the end I left and waited in the lobby with a coffee whilst DH and DS1 finished watching. As soon as I left the cinema and entered the lobby, my DS2 was calm again.

HeidiKat · 15/07/2011 11:07

Cinemas should start offering creche facilites, could be a goldmine for them if they designed cinemas with built in creche and silent vibrating pagers so that they could page parents if the child is seriously kicking off in the creche and they need to come and get them.

chirpchirp · 15/07/2011 11:07

I love the odean baby cinema and most indepent cinema do baby showings too,. They're great as they don't dim the lights and they turn the volume down slightly and of course nobody is bothered by crying babies. I've been to the cinema more durning my maternity leave than I have my entire life!

jeckadeck · 15/07/2011 11:08

I woudn't, unless it was one of those showings designed for people to take babies. Seriously, what is the point? you won't be able to concentrate on the film and it will seriously piss other people off. I think its a little bit selfish, tbh, as it basically guarantees that all the other people who haven't brought their kids won't be able to enjoy the film.

VivaLeBeaver · 15/07/2011 11:19

I'd be pissed off if someone had a baby next to me in the cinema. Unless it was fast asleep and not moving. But if its awake, even if its not screaming its going to be making baby noise of some description and squirming about and been a distraction. Unless its one of those baby screenings and then thats fair enough.

I know that probably makes me sound like a mardy arse and I dont care if I am being. Wait for it to come out on DVD. Would never have crossed my mind to take DD as a baby to the cinema.

Nellythecat · 15/07/2011 11:27

But surely in that film there will be people shouting at each other, screaming, violence, scary music etc. I know a baby won't understand what the hell is going on, but he will pick up on the atmosphere and feel stressed. A bit like if his parents at home were screaming at each other with him in the same room. I wouldn't want to subject a baby to that.

thefurryone · 15/07/2011 11:33

My local odeon has a film every Tuesday lunchtime that welcomes babies you could check and see if there is anything similar. I'm hoping ours shows HP but also not sure if I want to be interrupted by any baby including my own when watching Grin

Sidge · 15/07/2011 11:36

You could but they won't appreciate it. Wait 12 years and then take him.

Wink
vmcd28 · 15/07/2011 11:46

OP, glad you found a baby screening. DS1 didnt go to the cinema till he was 3yo. DS2 is 8 months old, and he's been about 10 times :) He never ever goes to sleep, but likes sitting looking at the screen. I occasionally have to stand in the aisle with him, just cos he gets bored now sitting for so long, but standing swaying is usually all it takes.

A baby screening is a good place to start, cos it's quieter, but the downside is they only show 2D versions of films, not the 3D ones. But if he does well at this screening, be brave and go to see a "normal" showing the next time. He'll be fine.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 15/07/2011 12:01

My DS is 4 weeks old and I wouldn't take him to the cinema. Hell, I've got to take him to a wedding next weekend and I'm dreading him starting up then too!

Having said that, my DS is an awkward little bugger sensitive soul wheras your baby might not be, in which case, if you can guarantee he wont be a pest I would see no harm in it.

DEDE66 · 16/11/2016 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

KayTee87 · 16/11/2016 20:45

desperately ops baby will be 5 now Grin

Zombie thread

KayTee87 · 16/11/2016 20:46

Sorry dede not desperately