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AIBU?

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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:
crunchtime · 27/10/2018 15:34

It's nothe just the baby though.
If you have a completely textbook birth, you will still be bleeding copiously, leaking milk, bashed and bruised underneath and massively sleep deprived.

EwItsAHooman · 27/10/2018 15:38

BINGO!!!!

Cambalamb · 27/10/2018 15:41

I wouldn't have been up to it personally either time but you might. If not can you not just stay at home and let DH go with the DC, Enjoy some quiet time with baby.

Miscible · 27/10/2018 15:42

It's not automatic that anyone is "bashed and bruised" after giving birth - I wasn't with nos. 2 and 3 - and if it's 4 or 5 days later, OP is unlikely to be "bleeding copiously".

Cambalamb · 27/10/2018 15:43

Plus don't forge the loud audience participation. Not a nice calm atmosphere for a newborn, sensory overload! Could DH stay home if it's you who really wants to go?

Thehop · 27/10/2018 15:43

My newborns would be fine. They never got chance to cry , I just put boobs in them!

Ear defenders maybe?

sunshinesupermum · 27/10/2018 15:44

You are insane.

Sleeplikeasloth · 27/10/2018 15:46

It sounds like it would be fine given your history. If I had tickets to it, I'd have been upto it in day 4 after my section. Babies of that age are pretty low maintenance really, b just pop out in a sling and it'll likely just sleep.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 27/10/2018 15:49

I wouldn't, the germ issue wouldn't bug me but I wouldn't want to piss off everyone else in the theatre who have paid good money to have some Christmas fun by bringing a newborn baby that will most likely cry at some point.

Oblomov18 · 27/10/2018 15:51

I'm shocked you are even considering it.

EwItsAHooman · 27/10/2018 15:52

It's a pantomime, not the bloody RSC. Baby cries, OP takes the baby out. How would that spoil it for anyone else there?

LondonLassInTheCountry · 27/10/2018 15:52

You may be in labour for days....

I wouldnt but only because of the germs

Autumn101 · 27/10/2018 15:54

If you’re feeling up to it then definitely go!

I was still in the euphoric new baby phase by then and felt I could of climbed Everest, it was only after a few weeks the exhaustion set in (and never went.....!)

Miscible · 27/10/2018 15:54

It's unlikely OP will be in labour for days given that this must be at least her third, and she's being induced.

OP, do tell, what's the pantomime?

WaxOnFeckOff · 27/10/2018 15:54

I'm probably not the best person to ask, but other than being a bit wary of disturbing other people then I'd go in a heartbeat. I went to the supermarket on the way home from hospital. This was after checking out early (against medical advice) after an emergency section after a 36 hour labour and being borderline for a blood transfusion (also had sacroiliac hip dysfunction). Then went 2 hours in a car the next day to take DS to visit MIL and other family.

Having been on here a while, apparently I was suppose to spend two weeks bonding at home with no visitors allowed and MIL especially should have seen DS only when ready to start school.

JustDanceAddict · 27/10/2018 15:54

Definitely would not go!!

Aloethere · 27/10/2018 15:55

I would but my births sound easy compared to what some here are describing as the aftermath. I wasn't bashed and bruised or bleeding copiously. I was discharged the morning after giving birth went to the supermarket for shopping and basically got on with life. Newborns are really portable and do nothing but eat and sleep so newborn is the perfect time to go if you have to bring a baby! If baby isn't enjoying the experience they'll let you know and like you said you can leave.

Buxtonstill · 27/10/2018 16:00

You mention a 'West End Cast' . If the show is in Central London, then the regulations from Westminster Council state that each theatre goer must have a ticket (to be truly gruesome) in case there is a major incident, they need to have a record of how many people are in the building. In our group of theatres in London, we don't allow children under the age of 3 in the building, and personally I wouldn't take a child under that age as the noise levels are a lot louder than you realise.

drinkygin · 27/10/2018 16:02

The people saying the newborn might disturb the performance for others- have you actually ever been to a pantomime?! Toddlers and kids crying, shouting, talking loudly, climbing all over their seat and waving those stupid flashing wands/swords/other shitty plastic toys THE WHOLE WAY THEOUGH. Argh. A newborn will be the least of their worries if they’re hoping for a quiet show!

Vitalogy · 27/10/2018 16:05

Are you supposed to be dressed and out of a dressing gown by this point then. Confused

theWarOnPeace · 27/10/2018 16:07

I was always in a state, but you say you aren’t usually so that’s cool (and I’m jealous!). My newborns never screamed etc and you say yours don’t, so hopefully also cool. But..I did take my newborns out and about, but honestly not in a confined space in winter. The idea of them being cooped up with other people’s millions of bugs makes me feel queasy. I would always walk (even in agony), rather than jump on the bus. All those bugs steaming up around my little precious fluffy baby just turns my stomach - and I’m not one normally scared of bugs and don’t bleach everything half to death, but newborns and randoms to me just don’t mix!

DishingOutDone · 27/10/2018 16:11

I think as long as you leave 12 hours to get to the airport for your flight to Australia for the backpacking round the world trip, you'll be fine. Babies are sooooo adaptable.

BlueBug45 · 27/10/2018 16:12

@WaxOnFeckOff Grin My MIL is seeing my child when she starts secondary school. After all you can't be too careful...

@theWarOnPeace this newborn has older siblings who may try and lick him.

Witchend · 27/10/2018 16:13

I took a 5week old and she was totally riveted. Lay in my arms and waved arms and legs excitedly the whole time.

KumquatQuince · 27/10/2018 16:16

Definitely take the baby. What’s the worst that can happen? They scream and you have to take them out? At least you’ll have seen most of the pantomime. Chances are they’ll sleep through it. I took DD to a show when she was tiny (can’t remember how old now) and she slept the whole time.