We are going to the Grinch with our preschooler this December at the Minneapolis Children's Theater. We also have a fussy newborn who is always either sleeping or breastfeeding (won't take a bottle). I feel bad subjecting babysitters to this little one because she's hard to sooth for anyone but me. So I am wondering if I could bring the baby along (the theater sells lap passes for little ones). The baby is always perfectly happy as long as there is a boob available. Is it possible to breastfeed during a show at the Children's theater? If it's dark enough I'm hoping nobody would notice or be offended...
Hi everyone, thanks for all of your advice! We did end up taking the baby but it didn't turn out all that well. Seats were assigned and wouldn't you know it we were stuck WAY in the middle of the huge row of seats. We tried to trade but couldn't find anyone with 3 seats on the end. (That place needs more aisles, I think. It's just one big block of seats with steps down the two sides.) I tried nursing during the show but my little one (2 months old) wanted to watch the show!! So I let her watch and all was well but then there was a loud noise (a thunder clap or something) and that startled her and sent her crying. So I took the baby out (making all those people in the whole long row stand up). I found out the theater has a nice "Quiet Room" where I was able to take her, watch and listen to the show, and nurse her in private. Nobody else was using the room until the very end of the show. I was bummed I didn't get to see my 3 year old delight in watching the play. My husband said she really enjoyed it. And wouldn't ya know it - toward the end of the play baby had a huge poopy blowout and the diaper bag was stuck in the theater with my husband. I had to throw baby's onesie in the trash and line her dirty diaper with paper towels!!! Then we sat in the lobby waiting for the play to end (the show was only about 65 mintus total so we weren't waiting long). She was super happy, smiling and cooing while lying on the soft benches in the lobby.
It all ended up okay, but I'd recommend that if you have to bring a baby you should sit in the quiet room right away if you can't get an aisle seat.
Yes, I would bring a breastfeeding baby. Chances are no one would notice you feeding the baby, plus it will be dark. As long as the baby can be quiet during the show,I wouldn't worry about nursing - no one will pay any attention to you. Good for the baby, and you! I bf all of my kids and it was a wonderful experience.
S., mom of 3
I would say just bring a blanket to put over you and if anybody is offened tell them not to look
I say bring her! You are allowed to breastfeed anywhere that you can be, so that's not an issue. Like others have said, snag an aisle seat in case you need to get up; enjoy the show!
I think the theater is an ideal place to nurse your little one because it is not only dark, but people will be focused on the stage, not you. Of course there are some people who may be offended by public nursing, but that is their problem, not yours. I've found that in most cases even the most offended people are too embarrassed to say or do anything about it. They just stare then walk away. Have fun.
I used to bring my infant son along to children's events at orchestra hall. If possible try to get an aisle seat just in case she gets too fussy. Also, one time my 3 yo daughter got upset that I went to the lobby with the baby. She did not want to sit there with her dad. We all ended up leaving. Still, I'd say go ahead and bring the baby. THe worst that can happen is that you all leave early. Every event that I've been to like this generally has moms and dads headed to the lobby for some reason or another.
I would bring the infant. If she get's hysterical for some reason you can always quietly excuse the baby and yourself to the bathroom or common area so you won't disrupt anyone watching the performance. In my opinion I'm more forgiving of a parent with a newborn or infant that crys a little than for a toddler or preschooler throwing a fit and the parents just lettting them. It's sometimes way easier to bring a infant than a toddler/preschooler so go ahead and have a nice family day.
