OT - Question for Boneyard Moms & Dads

[bmayuc]

About to have my first kid, a little boy, August 12. Right around when season tix should be arriving !!

Wanted to gather advice on bringing babies to live games. They are loud, it is sunny, I imagine there are other challenges I can't even begin to comprehend yet.

Any tips, tricks, secrets, tailgate gear recommended, baby clothes etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Waquoit]

@bmayuc My GF is almost obsessive about babies at games. She has actually approached parents to tell them while you may think the sun is not that bad, your child's very sensitive skin is burning right now. Put that bonnet back on. Parents don't want to hear that but she doesn't care. Do everything you would do to make yourself comfortable but more. Limit direct sunlight when hot, but some doctors advise no sun at all for the first six months. Bundle warmer than you when cold. I have never seen these used in person at The Rent, but I would get baby ear muffs for hearing protection. It gets very loud in there for babies ears.

 

[whaler11]

I didn't bring mine until she was 5.

Lucky to have family in the area to watch her but can't imagine a baby who is a month to 3 months old being out there.

 

[Bonehead]

About to have my first kid, a little boy, August 12. Right around when season tix should be arriving !!

Wanted to gather advice on bringing babies to live games. They are loud, it is sunny, I imagine there are other challenges I can't even begin to comprehend yet.

Any tips, tricks, secrets, tailgate gear recommended, baby clothes etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Congratulations.

 

[huskypantz]

Congrats in advance, it's a pretty incredible journey.

Personally, I would not bring a baby. It's just tough to concentrate on the game. Best case scenario is that he sleeps during the game or only needs a bottle at halftime. You'll be taking diaper runs etc. They are of course more sensitive to the weather. If you bring him, bring more layers than you think he'll need because he'll need them. That said I have seen couples do it. As a new dad you're going to be sleep-deprived, going to the games will be a great way to take a break for a few hours - that's the route I went.

I have only brought my oldest to games. First game was when she was almost 3, she'll be 5 in the fall and will attend at least 1 game with me. I find the toughest part at this age was the bathroom stuff. She was potty trained the first year but I had her wear a diaper anyway. Last year was great the first game except it was sweltering hot. Second game was Navy, she was constipated and we took 6 bathroom breaks in the first half. That was the kids appreciation game and the kids got to run on the field after the game, which she loved.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I didn't bring mine until she was 5.

Lucky to have family in the area to watch her but can't imagine a baby who is a month to 3 months old being out there.

This.

Talk to us in a couple of years and I'll give you some toddler advice. I'd rather stay home than bring a baby to a game.

 

[Husky25]

My first son was born in August of 2012. I didn't bring him to his first UConn game until at least the following year and Mom has been at every game my son has so far. I also have a 6 month old. He will probably come to one or two games this year, but only because we are experienced, I don't want to deprive my first son if he wants to go, and because we would have no other place to bring him if both my wife and I are at the game.

Infants are free until they are 2 years old. Even if they are a little older, it's not like the ticket scanners are looking at birth certificates. If you have a diaper bag, you can probably get the kid in gratis.

In terms of enjoying the game, I highly recommend being accompanied by the spouse and a Baby Bjourn. That way you can share duties, as an infant requires 100% focus on the infant first. The Baby Bjourn is so the kid can take their nap throughout the game, without being physically held in your arms.

 

[BlueDogs]

Brought mine since they were babies. Obviously when weather is bad you don't bring them. Put them in the baby carrier and they are happy as clams. All three went to games up to activities got in the way, but still (18 years later) still ask to come along when they are free. Best part, all three are girls and they love the game. Mission accomplished. So, my advice, don't worry. They are fine.

 

[CTMike]

My 14 month old was maybe 4.5 months at the start of the season last year and we brought him to the day games not the night games. The baby carrier and baby sunscreen/layers are key. At the end of the season we bundled him up. We brought ear protection and used it once... We found that when he was ready for a nap the crowd noise didn't dissuade him. Stroller... We did it both ways... But regardless, take advantage of the shady concourse on hot days. It's a lot of work but it's fun... That goes for everything being a parent, not just football games.

 

[UCFBfan]

Still waiting to bring mine and their 2 and 4. Our biggest road block has always been the nap time issue. This will be dependent on your child as everyone has their own way of doing naps. My wife is dead set on a routine and every time we've varied from it, we've paid a steep price! So I don't see me bringing my kids for another year or so. However, we have lots of friends who have kids, under a year, who either nap at games or vary their nap schedule.

I agree with others here that I'd never dream of dealing with all the pain of bringing an infant to a game. However, you may be blessed with an angelic baby who will be great and you can bring your son everywhere!

Good luck and welcome to the craziest, most unpredictable ride of your life. It never gets easier but it's worth every second!

 

[J187Money]

First, congrats!

Second - Newborn? I wouldn't. Next year? Depends on the baby.

Mine are 16 and 13 now, and the older one has been coming to every game since the rent opened, and the younger one hates it and only has been to about 15 games and only cares about the food. I stopped trying

 

[Husky25]

Still waiting to bring mine and their 2 and 4. Our biggest road block has always been the nap time issue. This will be dependent on your child as everyone has their own way of doing naps. My wife is dead set on a routine and every time we've varied from it, we've paid a steep price! So I don't see me bringing my kids for another year or so. However, we have lots of friends who have kids, under a year, who either nap at games or vary their nap schedule.

I agree with others here that I'd never dream of dealing with all the pain of bringing an infant to a game. However, you may be blessed with an angelic baby who will be great and you can bring your son everywhere!

Good luck and welcome to the craziest, most unpredictable ride of your life. It never gets easier but it's worth every second!

We brought my (then) 4 month old to the Spring game. It wasn't horrible, but then again the spring game is about 1/6 (hopefully 1/8 this year) as crowded as a normal home game.

You are right on the money about nap schedules. I have a number of friend with kids the same age as mine and for the 4 years all of the birthday parties start at 3:00 in the afternoon to account for the kids' naps. Lately, we've stopped trying to force one on my soon-to-be 4 year old (to the chagrin of his parents, one of whom was up with his baby brother the night before). Instead we run sort of a subterfuge on him. He'll ask if he can skip nap on a given day. We will agree but then plan to go or come home from somewhere. A moving car is kyptonite for both of my kids. In fact, I downloaded a white noise app and my 6 month old is out about 12 seconds after I put on the "cars driving" setting. Unfortunately, the vibration feature of the napper/Pack n Play doesn't match a car engine quite close enough, otherwise it'd take 8 seconds.

The other good thing about my kids is that they can sleep through anything. Even Slash's guitar, and a cheering crowd is merely more white noise to them (@CTMike Jr.'s ear muffs aren't a bad idea though.).

 

[bmayuc]

Appreciate everyone. Thanks for the feedback. Takes a village, etc.

 

[UCFBfan]

You are right on the money about nap schedules. I have a number of friend with kids the same age as mine and for the 4 years all of the birthday parties start at 3:00 in the afternoon to account for the kids' naps. Lately, we've stopped trying to force one on my soon-to-be 4 year old (to the chagrin of his parents, one of whom was up with his baby brother the night before). Instead we run sort of a subterfuge on him. He'll ask if he can skip nap on a given day. We will agree but then plan to go or come home from somewhere. A moving car is kyptonite for both of my kids. In fact, I downloaded a white noise app and my 6 month old is out about 12 seconds after I put on the "cars driving" setting. Unfortunately, the vibration feature of the napper/Pack n Play doesn't match a car engine quite close enough, otherwise it'd take 8 seconds.

I know this is a bit OT but my soon to be 4 year old has stopped napping for about the past 6 months. We have instituted "Rest Time" and she can't come downstairs until her clock has a 3 in the hour spot. This has been a god send as we need those two hours or so for our youngest to nap and for our own sanity! I'm thinking my 2 year old my transition to Rest Time when she turns 3 so I might be able to get them both to a game next fall. I want to start with the Spring Game because it's free and low stress compared to game day.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I know this is a bit OT but my soon to be 4 year old has stopped napping for about the past 6 months. We have instituted "Rest Time" and she can't come downstairs until her clock has a 3 in the hour spot. This has been a god send as we need those two hours or so for our youngest to nap and for our own sanity! I'm thinking my 2 year old my transition to Rest Time when she turns 3 so I might be able to get them both to a game next fall. I want to start with the Spring Game because it's free and low stress compared to game day.

Glad to read a plan you had for the first child is working. May God have mercy on your soul if you expect the same plan to work on your second child. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Neither decision will be a reflection of the quality of your first decision or your choice to follow it for your second child.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I'm a diehard when it comes to attending any sporting event. For me it took one game for the Nofolk Tides AAA team and me taking two toddlers to realize it's insanity trying to attend games with infants and expecting any results.

You may come up with the best plan and mitigate every conceivable contingency and the kids still get pissed.

I'll be honest. Two kids less than three years old? Stay home and watch. Sure you will lose your street cred card with some posters here, but those of us with kids will know you are making the smart choice.

 

[CTMike]

I'm a diehard when it comes to attending any sporting event. For me it took one game for the Nofolk Tides AAA team and me taking two toddlers to realize it's insanity trying to attend games with infants and expecting any results.

You may come up with the best plan and mitigate every conceivable contingency and the kids still get pissed.

I'll be honest. Two kids less than three years old? Stay home and watch. Sure you will lose your street cred card with some posters here, but those of us with kids will know you are making the smart choice.

One is more than enough of a challenge...I can't imagine two!

 

[huskypantz]

Still waiting to bring mine and their 2 and 4. Our biggest road block has always been the nap time issue. This will be dependent on your child as everyone has their own way of doing naps. My wife is dead set on a routine and every time we've varied from it, we've paid a steep price! So I don't see me bringing my kids for another year or so. However, we have lots of friends who have kids, under a year, who either nap at games or vary their nap schedule.

I agree with others here that I'd never dream of dealing with all the pain of bringing an infant to a game. However, you may be blessed with an angelic baby who will be great and you can bring your son everywhere!

Good luck and welcome to the craziest, most unpredictable ride of your life. It never gets easier but it's worth every second!

Mine are 2.5 and 4.5. If the little one misses a nap, he's a flip of the switch away from whine country. The older one averages one day a week at most. She doesn't usually get too worn down, but there's nothing like the car ride home to knock them out.

 

[UCFBfan]

Glad to read a plan you had for the first child is working. May God have mercy on your soul if you expect the same plan to work on your second child. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Neither decision will be a reflection of the quality of your first decision or your choice to follow it for your second child.

Hey don't go crushing my dreams!

My two girls are completely different and actually my second has been the better sleeper of the two so I'm hoping she ends up being better! Time will tell!

 

[Excalibur]

My son (now 8) went to his first game at 6 months (October, not too cold, and the wife took him home at halftime). He's been going regularly since age 4, but is a bit more sports/football-obsessed than most kids.

 

[Jerry27]

My daughter has been coming since she was 2.5 months and my son started at 9 months, it's never been a problem for them and the game means more to me than my wife so she has always addressed any of their in game needs to let me watch the game. Outside of the occasional drunk who makes an ass of themselves I've never had a problem with kids at a game before they were old enough to understand it was no issue, now that they are 7 and 11 they ask questions.

Images: (top) at the Meineke Car Care Bowl (below) tailgating before a game at the Rent

 

[uconnell]

Cute kids Jerry.

 

[mauconnfan]

About to have my first kid, a little boy, August 12. Right around when season tix should be arriving !!

Wanted to gather advice on bringing babies to live games. They are loud, it is sunny, I imagine there are other challenges I can't even begin to comprehend yet.

Any tips, tricks, secrets, tailgate gear recommended, baby clothes etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Congrats to both of you and best of luck