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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you take a 3-4 day old baby to a pantomime?

270 replies

ThirdChildFourthPile · 27/10/2018 13:19

I booked panto tickets in December a few days before my due date. I went very overdue with the others so I thought this would be fine.
It's an amazing panto with west end cast in the Hilton hotel, we all love it and I really don't want to miss out.

However, I've found out that I need to be induced at 39 weeks.

I can get a refund that's not a problem. But I really really want to see this pantomime. The other option is to change the dates and go on the 28th December with a newborn baby.

If the worst comes to the worst I can take the baby out and even drive around with him while DH and the kids carried on watching the show.
But chances are I wouldn't need to. I mean my boobs are right there. And all the do is sleep.

My only concern is the germs. Am I stupid to consider it from a newborn health point of view?

OP posts:
MrsAlexKarev · 28/10/2018 22:27

I would absolutely go! Stick bubs in a stretchy wrap, bet he won’t even wake up!
Enjoy & congratulations 💓

Neem · 28/10/2018 22:41

Go! You’ll have the baby in your arms. A small baby who might cry won’t be massively problematic at a pantomime! You are not leaving baby alone, and milk will be on tap. What’s the problem?!

QueenDramaLlama · 28/10/2018 22:48

You can come up with a million reasons why it might not be ok but I don’t see any point in living like that because there’s just as much chance it will Be okay. Give it a shot! You can always leave if it doesn’t go well
But what is the point in risking permanent hearing damage for the sake of a pantomime? Live life and take risks for yourself, yes, but don't take risks on someone else's health.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 28/10/2018 22:59

I had my DS visiting the long-stay Psychiatric ward I worked in when he was 4 days old. He was much admired, tickled and hugged by all the staff and patients. He had his first dental appointment the same day for his two teeth. He was fine.

He caught a cold a few months later from his Grandmother, which turned into a hospital stay for RSV.

platesandflowers · 29/10/2018 01:01

Ear defenders should not be used for babies under 6 months as per manufacture's instructions.

Their heads are still so soft and unformed, why the fuck would you clamp something to it?

Don't be so selfish and stay at home. Alternatively, don't have kids of you can't be assed to stay at home for a couple of weeks at least to help them adjust to this world.

finova · 29/10/2018 01:48

It’s a Pantomime so YABU

No way would I take a newborn there. Too much risk of catching an awful virus....there will be people weighing this up just as you are and taking older children who aren’t very well. I would worry about chicken box and respiratory infections for a start

Haahhpy · 29/10/2018 03:13

Personally I wouldn't have considered taking my newborn anywhere so crowded and noisy. The first few days are so precious and it's a wonderful time to stay cuddled up together indoors. I would stay stay home and enjoy some skin to skin time with your new born baby. You're also going to be very sore so sitting still in a confining theatre chair really wouldn't be ideal!!

LadyL0velyLocks · 29/10/2018 03:23

Do it! You know you want to see it and I think you’ll benefit from doing an activity you’ll enjoy during what can be a pretty draining time.

FWIW I was induced at 39 weeks and DS was born 4 hours after my waters were broken and I was feeling fab. Would have happily sat in a theatre that night. I was also dreading the day three comedown but it never happened!

PhilomenaDeathsHeadHawkMoth · 29/10/2018 03:31

Exactly. Go. I went to Asda when DS2 was 4 days old. I mean, that was hellish with a nearly 4yo as well, but I wouldn't worry about germs.

GotTheKey · 29/10/2018 04:01

I personally wouldn't. It is so important to rest in those early days. I am 1 month post partum with no.2 and i bailed on plans yesterday as still feeling wobbly on and off!

needsanewname · 29/10/2018 04:15

Again, going to the supermarket and going to a pantomime are completely different things!

I took DD shopping when she was 2 days old.. but I would never have taken her somewhere so loud and such an attack on her senses.

She has ear defenders now at nearly 4 months if there's anything loud she's going to.

thighofrelief · 29/10/2018 04:21

I went to see Dances with wolves when DC was 5 days old. I felt great but it was a long film and was quite sore after sitting for so long. Baby was fine.

bumblingbovine49 · 29/10/2018 04:39

DS and I were in hospital for 5 days after the birth (he was grunting a bit and had a low agpar and my notes said I had strep B so they wanted to test for infection and started him on 6 hrly intravenous antibiotics as a precaution ) . In the end he was fine but childbirth is not always incredibly straightforward so planning to take your baby somewhere on day 3/4 is probably a bit on the optimistic side but if you are ok with that, I think it sounds fine to me.

With regards to germs, I might be a bit worried about this as well nowadays , particularly in the winter which is ' flu season. However with DS we did fly to visit the in-laws (short flight) when DS was 3 weeks old. Not quite the same but a crowded place for a couple of hours in winter (DS born in Nov) so similar and I didn't even think about germs than tbhBlush

It is difficul to decide but on balance, I probably would book as I prefer to be optimistic sampling a I.was aware I might not be able to go and it was OK with me that everyone else went anyway.

SD1978 · 29/10/2018 04:53

I personally wouldn't. Baby would most likely be well behaved- and if worn- most people would never know they were there. I would be more concerned about bugs and exposure at that age, especially in winter. Potentially also noise- although you could pick to some baby earmuffs to deaden that.

Dillydallyer · 29/10/2018 06:20

@reallybadidea @ThumbWitchesAbroad

I’ve had two inductions. First one took 6 days from first pessary being inserted to birth, second took 5 days from first pessary to birth. I know a large amount of people who had the same. In fact, apart from people being induced after their due date, I’ve never known anyone be quicker than two days. Obviously I know it happens (my sister is a midwife) but I wouldn’t say a long induction wasn’t ‘normal’, it happens far more than people realise.

Teacher22 · 29/10/2018 06:31

Put the baby first and stay home.

MarthasGinYard · 29/10/2018 06:37

Your family can still go though

So you've got an extra ticket to give away

Earthakitty · 29/10/2018 07:08

Are you mad ?
Newborns need peace, quiet, and cleanliness.
Stop thinking about yourself.

MaruMaru · 29/10/2018 07:22

No. I would not have wanted to attend a pantomime at that stage. And despite straightforward births both times, I would not physically have felt up to going out socially. Tired, sore, bleeding, milk coming in, hormonal. It's time to cosy up at home.
Also, not sure it's great for a new baby to be exposed unnecessarily to the general public's winter germs.

merrymouse · 29/10/2018 08:09

With two other children, I suspect that your ability to avoid germs will be limited even without going to the panto.

GrandmaSharksDentures · 29/10/2018 08:14

You would need to check that the theatre will actually admit a small baby, some theatres don't due to crying & disruption for other patrons

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 29/10/2018 08:15

I didnt take ds1 out for weeks!!

Didnt want the nasty car exhausts near him and the pram is at that level!!

Took dd to the panto at 2/3 weeks

Ds2 was pretty much thrown at passing strangers

KumquatQuince · 29/10/2018 08:17

QueenDramaLlama you are living up to your name!

OP ignore all the naysayers, DBaby isn’t going to be affected by a couple of hours at a pantomime, they’re being ridiculous, oh yes they are!

KumquatQuince · 29/10/2018 08:23

Oh and ignore the negativity about being induced. I was induced with my first and it took 10 hours no problem. DBaby must be your 3rd at least, he/she will just pop out!

Passenger42 · 29/10/2018 09:09

I was booked in to be induced and ended up with a c section and a 5 day hospital stay. I would cancel as you cannot predict what is going to happen or how your baby will be. It might have reflux and cry