I'm going to a baseball game on Sunday and will be taking my 10-month-old. Has anybody ever done this? Any suggestions on how to make things easier? Can I take a stroller and leave it somewhere at the park or would it be better for me to just use a carrier? I tried looking on the website and it was very vague on what you can and cannot bring for baby to the park. It says no plastic bottles but I imagine they have to allow bottles for babies. I sent an e-mail to the ballpark and am awaiting a response but was wondering if any of you other mamas ever took a baby to a game before and if you could offer any suggestions.
Thanks!!
P.S. Having a babysitter is not an option. I had one set up but she fell through. It's the fourth, everyone already has plans. My mom works, sister works, other sister summer school in college. I would love to have a babysitter though!! So it looks like its take him with me or stay home! And I'm not willing to stay home. :-)
Thanks for the responses!! We ended up going with my dad and my son was sooo good. It was sooo hot so I was a little worried how he would be but he had fun looking at everybody and waving and smiling at everyone. We took his umbrella stroller and put it under our seats. Half way through the game we went to the back to get some shade and a nice couple told us they were moving so we could have their seats. The seats were at the back of the lower level in the shade and I had room to open up his stroller so he could sit next to me and we shared an ice cream. Overall he loved the experience and he didn't make it hard on me. Yay!!
Keep in mind that the noise, at the game may tweak him or make him fussy or upset. My kids as babies, especially my daughter, did.not.like.loud.sounds or noise... and it actually seemed to cause her great distress.
Call the stadium and ask them what is allowed or not.
If you have a small-folding umbrella stroller, then you can tuck it away under the seats. But otherwise, I'd just use a carrier. We took my son to opening day when he was about 5 months old. I nursed him in the First Aid station because it was really hot and sunny and it was an excuse to get in the A/C! :)
We started taking our kids (and we have 4) to pro games when they were tiny infants (the 2 summer babies were at games before they were 3 weeks old). Lots of things and people to see~~ if your son tolerates a carrier (like a sling or such) you can put him in it and walk around..... My kids have grown up going to games and found an early love for the game (watching, not playing). Some ballparks have special perks for the first game~~ I know AT&T (SF Giants) gives out special certificates for the first game ~~not just for babies, but for anyone's first game:) Hope this helps a little.... and you should have NO problem with the bottles~~maybe take them empty, with the ingredients in a separate labeled container!
How exciting!!! We love baseball, and have already taken our four month old to three games. Her first being when she was 8 weeks old. Her older brother who just turned three loves going to Texas Ranger's games, and we couldn't stop just because he has a baby sister.
As for gear to take I had our daughter in a carrier since she was so little, but I have seen older children around your child's age in umbrella strollers. This way the stroller can fold up and be placed right under your seats. We can take in anything we need for the baby that you would usually find in the diaper bag. We have also taken a few smaller toys with us that can be cleaned with soap and water just in case some pop or beer gets spilled on them. We also take more snacks than we need to help keep our son occupied if it's a long game. We always take our gloves to help protect our kids from the any balls that come our direction. If it's a day game we take an extra blanket to place on the seat so it's not too hot for our son, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. If it's a night game we take their PJ's so if they fall asleep in the car it's an easy transfer to bed. I also found it easier to use a backpack to carry everything than the diaper bag due to the crowds.
I hope all goes well. What an exciting event for your family. Lastly don't forget the camera.
C.
I don't know what ballpark you are going to, but as of a year or two ago, Great American Ballpark allowed umbrella strollers, soft sided coolers, and diaper bags with associated items. Depending on where your seats are, the weather, and the temperament of your child, be prepared to walk around a bit in the shade. When my son was 4mos we took him to the Father's day game with Daddy and Grandpa. It was one of the HOTTEST days of the year. We had great seats, but they were out in the full sun. To keep him from overheating, I had him in his stroller and we were walking around in the shade (back near the concessions) most of the game.
A tip that somebody told me before I had my first child, is, never let anyone tell you that you can't do something with a baby! Great tip, and, all of my kids because of that tip, I can take anywhere, and, do anything with them.
What I have learned through the years, is, that, most of the stuff I pack, I NEVER USE OR NEED. I stopped being prepared for the "just in cases" because, I never used the "just in case" stuff!
So, now, I pack a backpack with snacks and drinks, an umbrella stroller, sunblock, sunglasses, and, a hat for all my kids. I usually keep a change of clothes for the baby, and, a for the big girls, I keep extra clothes in the car.
All of my kids love noise and excitement, and, all of them have, at least once, fallen asleep in a stadium seat!
Have fun. I'm sure there will be soooo much going on, that, you will not have to worry about taking so much to keep him occupied. Take the stroller, and, walk him around as suggested below if he does start getting cranky or wants to see more! :)
Here is my suggestion...get a babysitter and enjoy the game! You deserve it!
Turner Field here in Atlanta allows soft-sided coolers, food and drinks in plastic bottles. Hopefully your stadium allows something! I think they do have to let you bring baby bottles and baby food in by law. I guess most of the rules are specific by stadium, but I don't think you can bring strollers into ours. Every small child and baby I saw was in a carrier, sling, walking or sitting in a lap. I've never seen a stroller at a Braves game.
Be prepared to spend a great deal of the game walking around, and if your seats are not in the shade -hanging out somewhere shady. Don't forget the sunblock! Hopefully your stadium also has some kids' fun places where he might be entertained. I have to say -my oldest just went to his FIRST pro baseball game last Sunday at age 4 and we were impressed that he made it through the entire game (especially because it was baking hot). We didn't expect a 4 year old to last through 9 hot innings, so I wouldn't necessarily expect a 10 month old to be happy and compliant for that length of time either. We left our 20m old at home with my MIL because we knew that would be a nightmare.
