PERSONALLY, taking your infant to a movie theater is not ideal, and I’ll tell you why in the next section of this guide.
On the other hand, whether you decide to bring your infant to a movie theater is totally up to you. But it’s only wise that I enlighten you about what’s obtainable if you ever decide to take your infant to a movie theater.
Parents of a baby cooped up inside for weeks are itching to get out. So it’s great to see a movie starring your favorite actors in a theater.
You can bring your infant to the theater if you want. But remember that some people get annoyed when parents bring their young children to the movies, and they can give you a dirty look if your child even lets out the tiniest sound.
So, if your kid starts crying at the theater, leaving is best so you don’t interrupt the good time other people are enjoying.
And one way to prevent such a scenario is to ensure you breastfeed your infant well before leaving the house, so they don’t see a reason to cry inside the theater. Likewise, if you have toddlers, you need to explain to them beforehand that they can’t yell, cry or scream inside the theater if you are taking them to a movie.
As I mentioned, bringing your infant to the theater is a personal decision. However, some parents choose not to bring their infants so they can avoid those discomforting looks when the infants start acting up – no one likes being the object of scorned gazes.
Why Bringing Your Infant To A Movie Theater Is Dangerous
With a sound level of 74 to 104 decibels, the theater is too loud for your infant, going against the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended noise level of 45 to 65 decibels.
This sound level in theaters can potentially harm the eardrums and induce hearing problems for your infants since they are already sensitive to sounds and loud music.
Additionally, the environment in a movie theater is chilly and gloomy, which could be problematic for babies who are not used to it.
And since babies are susceptible to infections, taking them to public settings like theaters can be dangerous because you never know how healthy the person seated next to you is. We both know infants are susceptible to infections.
6 Reasons Why You Should Not Bring Your Infant To The Movie Theater
- Parents typically bring their infants with the expectation that the child will fall asleep during the film. Still, the dark room, loudspeakers, and screen light could frighten the infant, causing him to become agitated and confused, disrupting his sleep cycle.
- When taking their kid to an enclosed A/C cinema/theater where the air circulates among people who may be sick with the flu and cough, a parent should also consider the baby’s health. Babies are typically more susceptible to diseases, and being close to an infectious person inside the theater increases the likelihood that your baby may contract the illness.
- While a normal conversation is at 60 to 70 decibels, movie theaters typically operate at 74 to 104 or more. Such loud noises can harm your baby’s delicate eardrums and cause hearing problems.
- If the baby starts acting up, you might consider leaving the cinema to comfort the baby. But, of course, you won’t appreciate such discomfort on your part as the purpose (to have a nice time) of going to the cinema in the first place has been cut short.
- The theater’s centralized air conditioning may also make the hall’s temperature unsuitable for the baby’s health.
- Lastly, when taking your baby to the movies, remember that other people are paying to watch the film and won’t be happy to hear your baby cry or scream in joy. Instead, they would be offended. Some might express their displeasure right away.
When Can I Take My Baby To The Theater?
Some would respond, “Never!” Others appear to believe that any movie is acceptable, you know, the people who bring their kids to midnight showings of bloody action movies.
By asking this question, you already indicate that you believe there might be a workable middle ground.
It’s inappropriate to bring a young child to films with adult themes. If you wish to see the newest R-rated romantic comedy, arrange childcare.
Additionally, it is generally not a great idea to take a toddler to every late-night film; in general, late-night movies are never intelligent.
It would help if you used your discretion after that. Most toddlers need more patience or desire to watch an entire movie while seated in one chair.
Elizabeth Pantley, the writer of The No-Cry Discipline Solution, advises first asking yourself why you want to take him.
If it’s because you can’t wait to tell everyone about how much you adore a particular movie or character, think about delaying it for a few more years; chances are, your toddler won’t understand the film at this stage anyhow.
Also, you won’t be able to relax and enjoy the film if your toddler is there because kids are squirmy, easily distracted beings who have a knack for needing to utilize the potty at crucial plotlines.
If you’re going to the movie because you have to see it, think about leaving your child home with the sitter and continuing with your companion or friends instead.
However, if you want to bring him along because you genuinely believe your kid would like the movie, go for it! (The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against screen usage for children under two but allows for sporadic exceptions.) But make good plans.
Find a kid-made film with characters that your kid will know or find entertaining to watch, advises Pantley. “In toddlerhood, the plot isn’t what matters most. Instead, the most entertaining scenes are those that are lively.
During the movie, keep a close eye on your toddler. Large pictures and intense noises might be overpowering for some children.
Take him outside the theater for a moment if he seems startled or overwhelmed; all that may be required is a pause and a brief explanation.
Kids are sensitive to sound, so consider bringing a few earplugs (or a pair of muffs) to the theater. The earplugs will help reduce the noise level to a significant extent and obstruct those sharp noises.
Be considerate of your theater neighbors as well. While other people might find your toddler’s remarks or cheers amusing, they might prefer to watch the film silently. Therefore, if your child babbles nonstop, it’s time to go home and try again in a few months.
Considerations To Make Before Taking Your Kid To The Movie
- You should make the following considerations if you intend to take your baby to the movies.
- Book a Monday to Friday early-day display as the audience will be less than on the weekend & people may be more understanding if the baby cries.
- Always keep in mind to book a position near an exit gate or restroom, as you could be required to exit multiple times.
- Strangers may occasionally touch your baby. Even though it can seem harsh to tell them “No,” you might want to exercise caution. Alternatively, you can establish boundaries and politely tell them “No.” For example, look for films with a slower tempo or shorter length than the typical blockbuster. Since it might be challenging for infants to sit in silence for an extended period, selecting the movie after viewing the trailer and asking for recommendations from friends and family will be helpful.
Tips For Bringing Infants To The Theater
After deciding to take your infant to a movie theater, there are some tips I’d like to share with you that will help give you and your baby an excellent time throughout your stay at the theater.
- Bring snacks and a baby pacifier to avoid standing in line to buy them.
- Keep a warm, cozy blanket nearby for your infant, and make sure they wear socks and have their ears covered, so they are protected from the loud noise.
- Since babies tend to touch everything around them, keep baby wipes and hand sanitizer with you to clean the baby’s hands or to wipe down the armrests.
- If your child cries during the film, leave the theater. You’re welcome to resume watching the film once your infant is quiet and calm.
- Determine whether your city has a theater that welcomes infants. Certain theaters are more accommodating of infants than others. To help parents with young children, several theaters offer movies for mothers and babies or strollers.
- Steer clear of 3D, 4D, & scary movies because the visual effects might frighten your kid. Instead, cuddle and hold your infant till the situation passes or leave if you notice that they are afraid.
- Bring extra diapers so you won’t ruin a movie. The audience will be bothered by the scent, so be mindful of changing any soiled diapers immediately soon as they happen.
- Take a noise-canceling toy with you.
- Hold your baby in your arms at all times because theaters are pretty dark, and they tend to put babies to sleep as they play with the toy.
- Also, keep an eye on them throughout the film because an unattended baby could trip and fall through the aisle dividers or down the stairs.
- Last but not least, if the child sobs or bothers someone else while the movie is playing, apologize to them and take them outdoors until they settle down.
It’s debated whether or not to take young children to the movies, and most parents think you should wait until they’re older.
You can, however, take the necessary safeguards to ensure that you can enjoy a fantastic, family-friendly movie with your little one if the film is safe and you have control over the settings.
What Happens If My Baby Cries During A Movie?
Most people at the movie theater dislike being interrupted (even the least) while viewing a film. Some theaters have tight rules about upholding the auditorium’s decorum and stillness.
So, if your baby cries during a movie, you should exit the cinema and comfort her. Make sure she’s fully settled before you return to the film.
However, you are not cut out for any distractions while seeing an exciting movie. Therefore, consider taking a babysitter along with you, even if it means hiring one for that period.
If your child is little, plan your movie date around their nap time. Given that the theater is dark, some babies doze out for most of the film.