Maybe This Was Asked Before, but Do You Bring Your INFANTS to Movies?

I absolutely cannot wrap my head around why anyone would bring an infant to a movie let alone at midnight. I would never had taken an infant to a movie. Sorry but I think these parents of the 3 month old were being very
selfish. If you cannot get a babysitter do not go.

No. I did not. I got a babysitter.

I'm not paying $12 to see a movie and miss part of it because my baby cries. Especially with how loud movies can be. I'd prefer to enjoy the movie. And let other people enjoy the movie as well.

Now, when the theater had "mom & me" day - YES!! I brought my kids - because the other patrons knew what to expect.

I did, but my baby was one of those that loves sticking to a schedule, so I knew when she'd sleep. And that kid would sleep through anything, so there was no problem with it.

And one of the movies I took her to was Ghost Rider. I also dragged her baby butt to the midnight selling of the last Harry Potter book. (Complete with tiny scar on her forehead.) so I'm not gonna judge the parents who took their baby to the Batman premiere.

If I had a baby right now, I can't say I wouldn't have taken them to the premiere myself. Victim shaming is despicable and people blaming these parents should be ashamed of themselves.

no. out of consideration for the other patrons i would never do that. it's not a safety thing, it's a courtesy thing.
khairete
S.
ps- added. my answer has NOTHING to do with blaming the parents of the baby who in the theater. the question didn't ask that and i didn't assume it. why would answering a question simply and honestly imply blame toward grieving parents? as for your point, MM, that other people are just as inconsiderate, that doesn't change it in my view. i don't think it's okay to talk on the cell phone or to another person or kick the seats or any of that stuff either. not sure why there's an assumption that 'those things are okay' but a crying baby is not. my babies were crazy portable. i took them everywhere and they were awesome about it. that doesn't mean there weren't places i felt were unsuitable, and movies were and remain one of them. why did you ask if dissenting opinions make you so angry?

I've been in Wal-mart at midnight with my kid. The gas station. On a freaking walk. At a playground. If I got shot any of those places, I bet people on mamapedia would be judging and asking why I was there. Would I take my kid to a movie? Why the heck not? He sleeps right through them. Even the loudest of ones. I've been to a night movie with him. It was rated R. GASP. He slept. The whole time. I knew he would. He always preferred to sleep with lots going on.

The were shot up in a movie theater by a deranged psychopath.
Can we not give these VICTIMS some peace, and LEAVE THEM ALONE?!!
I'm so sick of people having opinions about this. It was a tragedy. People shouldn't have to worry about their kids being shot by a madman. Period. It's the SHOOTERS fault.

ETA: Sorry, my anger was not aimed at you MartyMomma!! It was for all the judgmental answers.

Obviously if they cry you take them out but yeah, when my kids were that little I brought them. All they did was sleep in their pumpkin seat.

Sorry but I wasn't one of those tip toe around the baby kind of moms. My kids could sleep through an elephant stampede, a movie, however loud, was nothing.

I would imagine for a midnight showing I could have loaded up the kid, see the movie, get them home, put them to bed, never waking the child up.

I'm sorry but I've never understood taking a baby to a theater. I'm of the generation that if you didn't have a baby sitter, you just didn't go!! I never took my babies to any movies!!! I figure I'm out there to enjoy some time away and to take a break. And there is absolutely no advantage to them sitting there and taking in the loud noise.

I figured the other people in the theater were there to enjoy themselves as well and they certainly didn't want to hear or see a fussy baby (or child).

As for me, I absolutely hate when I'm sitting there watching a movie and there is a fussy baby or child - I think they should be banned from ANY movie with a rating over PG-13.

Just my opinion!!!

My kids just recently started going to the movies and they are 3 and 4.5 years old. I can't imagine taking kids out that late, but I have always been of the mindset that it's dark out, it's late, we should all be home and in bed! Especially at those young ages. Other adults can do what they wish, but kids should be home in my opinion. I'm old-fashioned that way. I think when you become a parent there are just some things you give up for awhile.
Last year I went out for Black Friday the first time ever while my husband stayed home with our children. I loved it, but at the same time could not believe how many people were out with their young, tired and crabby children. It was fun, but the deals weren't that good!
The Batman massacre is such a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the entire community of Aurora.
HTH,
A.

I'm with Gamma G. and Jubee: There really do need to be some child-free (yes, I do also mean infant-free) places in the world. I don't care if your tiny infant probably will sleep through the entire movie; baby just does not belong there. I know some couples are just dying to get out together like old times, but...it's not old times any more. Tag-team it if you both want to see a film: Mom goes solo, then dad goes solo, and you can talk about it later. We did that when our daughter was little and it was fine. Sure, it's nice to experience a film next to your spouse, but "nice" isn't "essential," is it?

I wonder if the folks all in favor of infants in theatres are also in favor of taking their kids absolutely everywhere else? To restaurants that are clearly establishments aimed at couples, for instance, or to events that are designed for older children and not for infants and/or toddlers? I've seen both. But there need to be baby-free zones and places and activities that are for older kids, without the family dragging the younger ones along. Again, parents need to tag-team it. Gives mom or dad one-on-one time with the kids anyway.

No.
I just didn't feel like bringing my baby to a movie theater was what was comfortable for him.
Same thing with restaurants.
I was happy to be home with my baby but I've never been one to feel any cabin fever from being home for a long time.
My son first set foot in a movie theater when he was 4 years old and that was for a birthday party event to see Spy Kids.
If it wasn't for that the party invitation I would have waited longer.
People want to have kids but not stop doing any of the things they were doing before they had kids and they do not take into consideration what their kids are ready for.
It seems a bit selfish to me but it's a wide spread behavior.

Yeah, I think parents that bring infants and toddlers to any R rated movie at any time of day are pretty selfish. I don't care if their child is perfect the whole time. They just don't fricken belong there! Get a sitter or don't go!

But to bring very young children to a midnight show? That is such a stupid and selfish act that I can't even wrap my head around it.

MartyMomma - I still stand by what I said. In my book, there is absolutely no reason at all to drag infants and/or very young children to a midnight show - any rated midnight show! People that do that are stupid and selfish. Period. The. End. Teens are different - they aren't very young children.

No, I NEVER brought an infant to a movie theater - and I CAN NOT STAND it when people do so. I have had many movies ruined by such people and am in the camp that kids should be banned from movies that start after 9pm.

Nope, I wouldn't take an infant. Not because of any other reason except that I would want to actually watch the film instead of having to be worried that my kid would cry, squirm, make noise, poop, or lose his/her hearing.
L.

No, it was just never worth it to me. I never wanted to see a move THAT BAD, that I would go through all that.

I don't care what others do, but damn it, if your kid of any age starts getting loud or crazy, PLEASE have the common sense & courtesy to remove yourself from the theater.

Now, I don't personally get why you'd have your infant out at a midnight movie - it seems a bit selfish & not using the greatest judgement. I think we all know that there's a higher possibility of something bad happening when you are out late at night than if you were to go out during the day. However, obviously nobody goes anywhere in public with their babies, intending something bad happening. If you did, then you wouldn't ever be able to go out, because something could always happen, anywhere, at any time.

And, YES, I love my kid, but I would love some "kid free" zones available to me when I choose to have an adult night or day out & don't want to hear other people's annoying kids.

I am one of those that feel there should be places that are occasionally child free so that adults that do not want to be around children do not have to. So what, I'm older and have very little money.

I would not take a baby to a movie because I have very little money to spend on activities like this and I would be mad if they woke up and I had to go out and miss the movie. So I would also be upset at each of the people mentioned above.

I think it is appalling to blame anyone other than the person who took the guns and shot into that theater.

He could have just as easily planned to do this at the 7pm movie or the 9pm movie to any show, not just this one.

How dare anyone say anyone is at fault except the person who pulled the trigger. That is just uncalled for. How sad you have so little going on in your own life that you would have to say a mother killed her child because she took that infant to a movie theater.

What if he had shot up a playground, or a mall, a school, a child care center, would the parents still be as guilty.

I feel like telling those people who would condemn anyone for any part in this except the shooter to get on your knees and beg for forgiveness. Those people who went through this are not in any way to blame for this man's choices.

I agree with Suz. It is a courtesy thing. And you mentioned that you'd never take your child to a brand new just opened movie. Well what difference does it make??? What about the movie that has just been out for a few weeks? That just might be the movie that someone else went to see with their new date, or a wife and husband getting out for a night away from their kids. I'm sorry but the last thing I want to hear is a baby crying in a movie theater. I do hope you are considerate and take the child out if he cries. I sat next to a woman once who brought her baby, and she never took the baby out at all, and my whole movie night was ruined.

We didn't take any of our three to the movies that young. Honestly (and I may get lashed for this), it drives me insane to go to movies where there are infants or toddlers (crying ones, I mean). I don't care if it is a kid movie or not. Case in point, I took my twins boys (7) to go see Brave a couple of weeks ago. I paid lots of money for tickets, popcorn and drink. It was a miserable experience because there had to be at least 5 very unhappy, crying infants who could be very clearly heard. I just can't understand why some parents feel like it's ok to ruin someone else's experience because their child is not old enough to enjoy it and shouldn't be there. But, like others said, if the baby is so quiet that no one even knows he/she is there, that doesn't bother me at all, we just never took the chance with ours.

ETA in re:to your SWH...All of those types of people that you mentioned are equally as frustrating to a pleasant movie watching experience. If your question would have been about any of them, I would have answered the same way. I am not antibaby/toddler, I've had three of my own. My point is that the cost of movies is outrageous, it costs my family of five about $75 to see and enjoy snacks at the theater. It is very very very frustrating to have that experience ruined by anyone other than nice, quiet, movie watching people :-)

no, i would never consider bringing and infant to a movie. I would pay a babysitter. I was 24 when i had my first child and being a mother was my priority NOT seeing a movie, I was so in love with my tiny infants, every sigh and sweet little yawn. -- they were my entertainment.

I place the blame for this shooting soley on the nutjob that pulled the trigger and what ever else he did, So to me this is 2 separate issues.

My answer would be the same two months ago before this happened as it is now 2 days after. i am more pissed off at 7 yos being at a midnight showing of a PG13 rated movie, that is freaking scary and violent. naps or no naps. That is not an appropriate movie for kids, Their parents need to grow up. vent over, just my opinion, do what ever the heck you want to your own kids.

Thank you for posting this, and for those responders who said to not blame the parents for the infant getting harmed. I am so riled up after a FB debate yesterday, so I may rant a little.

Sadly, there are some people with that attitude :( I had a debate on FB with a friend of a friend who was angry at the parents for their "stupid parenting decision" and that they are partially to blame because they took their baby to a movie theater. She likened movie theaters to bars and clubs. Her argument was that if a child is exposed to smoke at a bar and has an asthma attack, who's to blame, the smoker or the mother. What?!? In what world does that comparison make any kind of sense?

I was deeply appalled at the judgement and lack of compassion. And yes, I clarified that she meant theaters in general, not just a midnight showing of an adult movie.

While I would not have brought my child to a midnight showing of anything (because I would have been asleep!), nor to a non-kiddie movie, I see no inherent danger in bringing a child to a movie theater. It is inconsiderate if the parent doesn't remove a crying/fussing child, but that's bad manners, not a stupidly risky parenting decision.

The FB mom said movie theaters are dangerous because of exposing babies to germs. Sorry, but that just doesn't justify blaming the parents. And if you're that worried about germs, then stay away from the pediatrician's office, church, daycare, grocery stores, other people's houses, etc. A sleeping baby in a carrier, or parent's arms at the movies will be just fine.

I am so glad I'm not the only one who thinks blaming the parents is shameful.

For the record, I took my 2 youngest to kid movies when they were infants (so my older kids could go). We only went to the dollar theater (usually on 50 cent day!) so if we had to leave due to crying from any of the kids, I didn't care about wasting the money. And we usually went during baby's naptime.

Nope, I never did. Neither of mine were that laid back to be able to sleep quietly during the movie. Frankly, it would have stressed me out worrying about how they were going to act. In my mind, the purpose of going to a movie would be to sit back and relax.

I have four kids. I've done it once. I brought a 3 month old to a kids movie (dollar theater) mid day. She was awesome the whole time ... didn't make one complaining peep. i would not have brought a fussy baby, nor would i bring one to an adult's movie (just principle, I know she would not have understood what was going on), nor would I have gone to a movie late at night with ANY child.

BUT I SURELY hope that the parents of this baby that got shot are not being blamed!!! bringing a little baby to a movie (you know those CRAZY hours babies have- MANY babies that age would be awake at that time anyways OR asleep and sleeping through the whole movie- whatever) is not a crime, it is just a choice that I don't think is the best and a choice I would not personally make (but hey, it was also a premier and perhaps in some parents' minds an exception to the rule depending on how much the movie means to them- OUR exceptions? Some concerts. We are a BIG music family, and daddy is in a few bands- my kids LOVE going to his concerts and other fun concerts). But GEEEEZ... lets hope we are not making the parents feeling blamed for this sick and heinous tragedy:( Really terrible and unbelievably sad... There's no reason, and certainly NO BLAME for anyone except that piece of scum that should bring back considerations of torture for punishment....

Nope. Never did and never would. I understand that some babies might sleep the whole time, but it just doesn't seem right. Especially the late night movies. I think that at midnight, a baby should be at home in their bed.

My husband recently saw a couple bring a very small baby into a Vegas bar. I feel the same way about this. A baby has no place in a bar either, sleeping or not.

Truly this makes me crazy. As a SAHM I have very little time away from my kids as well so when I go to a late night movie and see babies/toddlers (that should have been in bed long ago) sitting around me, crying, restless...it takes away from my experience at the movie. Sure you paid too...but compared to the $$ the hundred other people paid in that theater...it's not fair to us.

I would not have taken mine to a movie like batman because it would be too loud and represent a real danger to their ears. I nver took mine to movies at all but maybe would have if I were more into movies.

I have to say though.....I know I am bring judgmental here but I would NOT have taken my small baby to a MIDNIGHT PREMIERE of a movie. I think it is a selfhish thing to do. What, you can't wait a day to see this movie that you would take your BABY out at midnight to something that is sure to be a crazy crowd of mostly young people. I call that bad parenting.

It never crossed my mind to bring a my baby (now 19 years old) to a movie theater, especially at night like that. There were just some things I had to put off for a bit or have her stay with Grandma while we went....As a mom, there were things I knew I had to put off.

I wasn't one to avoid public places with her but if someone paid a lot of money to enjoy a movie, my baby doesn't need to be there. Restaurants were great, we only had to abandon mission once in her entire life. Flying was great, she got the hang of it way before every year old kid had their iPad, Kindle and iPhone. That is why she was able to do cross country flights solo to visit friends from camp (with plance changes in O'Hare in December at night).

Her great friend had a real problem after going to the movies at two years old. Way too overwhelming for her.

***Ask them to turn the movie down??? No, it's not all about me. If I was actually at a movie and it was turned down for a baby, I wouldn't be thrillend That's why I am there. My daughter's ex-boyfriend worked in a movie theatere and they never would have done this....good for them.

No, People pay big bucks to go to a movie.
Even if she stared to fuss, I knew that is a distraction, and would be inconsiderate to the entire theater.

They now have special screenings for infants and children..

My daughters first movie going experiance was when she was less than a month old. It was the 10p showing of Pirates of the Carribean 2 and she was in a sling asleep the whole time. That time worked best for us because I was lucky enough to have a baby that slept 6 hours straight at night right from the beginning. I was able to go to the later movies until she was 10-11 months old before she started even being aware that it was going on. I of course sat near the exit everytime just incase she showed any signs of stirring.

I took my oldest son with us when we went to see Jurassic Park at the movie theater, he was only about 3 weeks old. He slept through the entire movie LOL He didn't even twitch when the entire movie theater screamed when that raptor popped out behind Laura Dern.

But I never kept things super quiet when my kids slept, even as babies. So they can and will sleep anywhere and through just about anything.

I was prepared with bottles and such and we sat at the end of a row so that if he started fussing I could take him out of the theater.

No, I would NOT take a baby to a movie theatre. First, they cannot watch or enjoy the movie. Second, it is too loud for them, even children's movies are really loud. (if you went to see Brave, that movie got really LOUD in some parts) and honestly, I would be very afraid of doing damage to little eardrums. Third, I would feel bad if my baby was fussing, (and they always do when the movie is loud or startles them), and causes other people sitting around me to not be able to enjoy the movie that THEY paid for and wanted to go see.
I understand that some say well I didn't have a sitter so I HAD to take the baby. Well, in my opinion then as a parent, then you DON'T go. The other people at the theatre may be in just as "rough" a position as you, and maybe they had to work overtime to afford to go out or it is their ONE WEEKEND in years without thier kids to be able to go to a movie together, and you come bringing a crying baby? This is why I really think it's not fair to bring them. I always stayed home with my kids. I also felt this way about bringing my babies to the fair and theme parks too. I don't understand why on earth anyone would want to take their child to a dirty county or state fair when they are only a few months old? I just never got that thought process. Maybe it's just me. I liked to keep my kids home, clean, and safe until they were actually old enough to ENJOY the place we were going. I guess if I were on a family vacation and had older children I was taking to a theme park, them it makes sense to take the baby to a theme park, so that one is out. I just don't really understand the movies or the fair. It really isn't a good place for a baby. IMO

Ok, after reading some of your other responses I feel the need to make this REALLY clear................ my stance in parents not taking an infant / baby to a movie, ANY movie, is in no way my saying that the tragic events were in ANY way the "fault" of the parents for having their children there. That is the craziest thing that I have ever heard. If that were true, then I myself would have been guilty of my own 11 year old being injured if the tragedy had occured in my hometown, because I took MY son. THAT is not what I was saying. I just don't agree with bringing an infant to ANY movie. (or a fair) I don't understand it. Never have. Probably never will. I will choose to stay home. Oh, and yes, I DO get frustrated by people who have cell phones going off, or who talk loudly,but you can ASK them to shut the phone off or STOP talking, you really can't ask a baby to stop crying. They are only doing what they know how to do to communicate their needs or discomfort. Anyway, I would never blame a parent for teir child being shot or killed ANYWHERE!! That is the fault of the sick psycho freak with the gun. PEriod. In this country you SHOULD be able to go anywhere with your child and feel safe. That was NOT what the question was that I was answering.

When my oldest was a baby, I took her because my husband and I couldn't afford a babysitter and I was breastfeeding. I thought she would sleep through the movie or I could feed her through the movie, but I was wrong. If she started to fuss even a tiny bit, I'd run her out (we sat by the hall to the exit), and I ended up not seeing any of the movie that I paid for. It was just too frustrating, so I stopped taking her and never took my other two while they were tiny.

My babies went practically everywhere with me up to about 4-6mo. If they fussed, I left. We also took them to music festivals and Phish shows, with ear plugs, too. I wasn't going to be stuck in the house not enjoying music or movies because someone else thought the baby, who woke up every two hours anyway, should be home in bed.

No, I didn't care what other people thought. I was breastfeeding, and so the baby went with us. Period. The 1,2,3, and 4 year olds in a movie theater bug me way worse than a sleeping or breastfeeding baby.

No. When my kids were infants, it didn't even *occur* to me to take them to a movie. I guess people do it and it seems to be pretty common these days, but it just never entered my head to take a small baby (or even ANY kid under the age of two) to a movie. And once they were two, I ONLY took them to appropriate childrens' movies, NEVER grownup movies. I was pretty shocked the first time I heard some people take their infants to movies. But I'm used to it now...

Actually, the 4 month old was NOT shot. What did happen was an engaged couple brought their 4 month old and 4 year old. The father had the baby and put him down on the floor so that he could run away and drive away from the scene. His fiance, who WAS shot in the leg, rescued her 4 year old and the baby when she saw the baby laying on the floor, managed to get the children outside on her own and didn't realize she was shot until they were outside. The father had no clue if his family was safe or even alive until he caught up with them outside later on after she called him from her cell phone. He basically abandoned the child he was responsible for in order to save his own life. Father of the year, right there.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2176718/The-Dark-...

Anyway, to answer the question, I'm not against people bringing their small children to the later shows. I don't live in their homes and don't know their schedules. I might get a bit judgmental if the movie is known to be violent, and it will be unlikely that the children will be able to sleep through it. But if someone wants to bring their child, bad parenting choice or not, if they're willing to pay for the tickets for those children and the theater allows them in even if there's an age limit, then they've paid for those tickets and are entitled to bring their children in. No amount of judging them will change their minds.

We personally never did it, and don't do it, because it's a hassle. My children don't do well hours after their regular bed times. I also have to consider that one of my children is special needs and one of her special needs is Sensory Integration Disorder. We have to choose not only family friendly movies, but sensory friendly showings of those movies for her AND bring her ear plugs.

I don't really see the problem in this mass shooting as being that people brought their small and young children to the theater. There were people of all ages that were injured and killed and it's tragic. This could have happened at ANY time of the day. This murderer just happened to have planned ahead for the premiere of the movie. If he'd chosen a day time showing there would have been more children involved.

And in this specific situation with the baby? Yeah, the issue is really that the so-called father ABANDONED his family that was in immediate danger. That's just disgusting to me.

Don't even get me started on this. Its such a sore subject with me. I dont understand anyone who brings either an infant OR young child to a movie. ESPECIALLY movies that are NOT kid movies! For example, there was a 3 yo at Batman last night. We sat 3 rows from the top, on the end. They were in the very top row and were letting him go down the stairs, sit, get up, go back to his seat, he would randomly talk, they would shoosh him, it was ridiculous and annoying!!!! And yes, the talking teens and people that keep checking their phones and don't seem to realize its a FLORESCENT light that we can all see is annoying also! I wish they honestly would have movie showing for ONLY 18 and up. I don't care if they are first thing in the morning or at night. It doesn't matter what time we go, there is freaking kids in there. And we go every single weekend. It is almost getting to the point that we don't want to go. And my own kids didn't even want to see Ice Age because even THEY said the kids talking thru the whole thing is annoying. So I don't know. Don't get me even started on this...tooo late! Oh, and by the way, just because you take your baby out when it starts crying, ITS STILL CRYING AND DISRUPTING THE MOVIE! And don't stand over by the side pacing back and forth...we can still see and hear you!!!!! UGH! Sorry, just my opinion but I personally stayed home or got babysitters. My kids were over 6 the first time they went to the movies. Maybe when I win the lottery I will open an 18 and older ONLY theater. Wishful thinking, but that would be awesome...

As for the shooting incident, I feel sorry for the victims. But my opinion? If it wasn't an infant, it would have been someone else - so long as there was a maniac villain.

Personally, I don't think I ever gathered enough energy to go to a movie theater with DD when she was an infant. So, ruled out. When I had enough energy, she was mobile. God no, if I took her then, even sane people would have shot me....looks of annoyance! :)

Kids movies only. I took my older daughter to.see Brave, we brought the baby with us. When my oldest was a baby we tried once to take her to a movie, I thought I could nurse her and she would sleep, she was really loud and we had to leave - not because we were asked but because I didnt want to disturb the other people there. So we never did that again. Now we just wait for PPV. If the baby in question is quiet, I dont see why anyone would care if it was there.

Nope -- too germy and too loud for me.

ETA: I am wondering why you asked everyone's opinion and then proceeded to attack those opinions. Seems a little unfair.

No I didn't/wouldn't bring my son to a movie when he was an infant. I would be to worried that he would wake up and start crying.

I never did, but my cousin used to. She pretty much did the same thing as you. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as they are under 3 months. I feel like that age is truly baby/baby stage and they will sleep through anything. It's just my opinion that over 3 months gets into that hairy age of being more aware, waking up more etc. I don't think I'd really have a problem as long as the parent was tending to the babies needs and respectful of other movie goers.

I never took my son into a movie as an infant. Sound levels too high.

I have taken an infant to the movies. They always slept through the entire thing, or would wake up to nurse and go back to sleep. I never had it happen, but if they were to fuss, I would walk out with them. I wouldn't take an infant over 4 months, mainly because they are staying awake for longer periods of time at that point.

I have went to plenty of movies when my baby was little . . . now at 9 months no way. When she was little, she'd just sleep and breastfeed - so easy then. I wouldn't take her to a crowded movie and we were always situated close to an exit.

No, I don't bring infants to movies.
1) I usually want to have some time away from the infants with my adults when I go to the movies. 2+ hours is just about right, if I am breastfeeding, to feed right before I go, and right when I get back.
2) If I am taking their older sibling to a kid movie, then I want some special time with that child.
3) As some people said, the movies are loud, but the primary reason that I think even a sleeping baby shouldn't be there is that the soundtrack itself has physiological effects. For instance, the tempo of music can effect your pulse. A minor chord causes an anxious response. The composer of the soundtrack picks music on purpose to enhance the visuals and even a sleeping baby would be affected. Music can synchronize brain waves, which can be used for benefits in music therapy, but for movies is more for dramatic effect.
4) Courtesy to other patrons is also important. When I have been at the movies without my kids, especially a movie which is for adults and at a late night showing, I have heard infants (and children) get scared and cry. Then I lose a bit of my "suspension of disbelief" and have to get back into the story. Yes, other things can cause that same effect, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

I took my daughter with me to movies when she was an infant, and if she got fussy, I left. I knew when I took her that there was always a chance that I would have to leave and waste the cost of a ticket, but very seldom did she cause me to have to do so. Most of the time, she slept through it.

Edited to add( 7/23/13) - Yesterday I read a Facebook post from my husband's colleague, a pediatrician, who said that she has SEEN in her own patients permanent hearing loss in babies, which they can only attribute to bringing the baby to a movie theatre. The cases she has seen, the parents SWORE it was the only time they had taken the baby to the movies with them. She explained that the bones in a baby's inner ear are too immature to handle the decibel level of the typical theater. That might be true, or maybe not. So, I guess I won't be doing any baby-in-tow movies anymore.
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The youngest we have taken a baby to the movies was 13 mos--Toy Story 3. I spent 1/2 the movie walking with him in the hallway, while my husband and oldest enjoyed the movie.

We took my 15 month old to Ice Age 4 last weekend, but that movie was too intense for my 5 yr old, so we left. The baby didn't pay attention at all, as we were at a dinner-style theater and I had him in a stroller on the other side of the table and he couldn't even see the screen. He just played with toys, and eventually got bored and I went out with him.

To an action/adventure movie? I'd NEVER take a baby to an adult movie. We don't even watch action films in our house when the kids are awake.

I didn't bring my babies to the movies theatre because I didn't have quiet babies who would sleep. They introduced the movies for moms and babies when my kids were babies, but they usually had pretty sucky movies. I didn't really take them to the theatre until they were two or so, and could sit through the movie. We did take them to the drive-in movies often in the summertime. The movies would start at 10:00pm and would be a double feature. If I was really lucky they would fall asleep on the car ride there. When they got a bit older they would watch the first movie with us (normally a family movie), then go to sleep for the second. Sadly the drive-in shut down a few years ago. I really miss it. I see people saying that movies should be child/baby free. We have a new theatre opening that is child/baby free. It is a premium theatre where alcohol is also served. I have no problem with babies or kids going to a theatre if they aren't disturbing anyone. I see a few peole have commented that it is selfish to bring a baby to the movies. I don't get that. If you are nursing a baby, then they have to go with you. Babies don't care if it is midnight or noon, as long as they get fed when they are hungry.

Seriously I never brought any of my "newborn" babies to the movies. I think honestly i would,but i never did.My kids as babies would sleep threw everything. Loud noises is what they were used too the most. We(hubby and I) took on our role as parents. We stay at home and watch ALOT of movies at home.That was "our" time. It Save on the cost of tickets,popcorn,drinks,gas etc. Personally I enjoy watching movies at home better b/c you can stop the movie get something to eat or drink and not having to deal with people getting in your way.But I have no judgements for the parents bringing their baby or kids into a movie. Most people don't have friends or family where they live to watch their kids or don't trust people to watch their kids. My husband and I don't hardly leave our children with anyone. We take them with us everywhere. Thats us!! I don't think the parents was being selfish,some yes but most no. Everyone does there own thing. I saw people talking about how the 6 year old that die and how if that child was at home they would been alive today. Seriously people get killed in their own homes. Adults and children. When Its your time to go then its your time to go from this earth. Its summer time. Most kids stay up late at night. When i was growing up we use to stay up til midnight or one or two in the morning. And slept in to ten or eleven in the morning. Thats my thoughts!!! :)

I took my son when he was a baby up until about 9 months old. Only one movie in that time did I actually have to take him out of the theater because he was crying. After a couple of minutes outside, we went back in and I held him in the aisle beside the wall. No problems. I personally wouldn't have taken my son to a midnight premiere, not because of the time, but because of the crowdedness. I prefer some space, especially when I had my son with me.

If there is someone with a baby crying and they won't leave, let the theater know. They will ask that person to leave, just like the person that talks on their phone the whole movie, texts the whole movie, or talks to their friend the whole movie.

The first time my girls stepped into a movie theatre was a few months ago to watch Beauty and The Beast. They're 4 and 5, I think the little one was still three. I didn't take them when they were babies because we thought it would be too loud and didn't take them when they were toddlers because they would never sit through it, they barely made it through a few months ago without getting restless towards the end. Anyway, I would have hated to pay for a movie and miss parts of it because I had to take a crying baby out.

My boys' first movies were Alien v. Predator and Predators, respectively. They were each a few weeks old and in each case my husband and I went to a matinee showing. There were less than 10 other people in the theater. Both boys slept and breastfed through the whole thing. I tell my husband that we will know that we should have a third when they announce the next movie in the franchise :) Once they got past the larvae stage of babyhood, no more movies until they can sit through a kids movie matinee. Or at least most of one, and you just go in accepting that you will leave early!

I worked in a movie theater as a teenager and I was HORRIFIED by some of the kids that parents would take to very adult movies. I am dating myself here, but I remember one dad taking his 8 or 9 year old into Showgirls and another similar situation with Natural Born Killers. In both instances I said something to the parents, just to let them know that the films had very, very adult content. The response both times was along the lines of "he'll be fine." Ultimately, not my kid, not my choice, but those two always stuck in my head.
I never thought twice about the tiny tiny babies, in any movie, at any time.

I did ONCE. The movie was Baby M. and my son was probably 3-4 weeks old. The movie had been out for a while. I think there were 10 other people in the theatre. We went mid-day. Went with Mom and Dad (my baby-sitters). The kiddo slept in my arms the entire time. If he had cried, I'd of course taken him out (or nursed him if that's what he was ready for). We sat on the back row.

I only did it a couple of times, but looking back I wished I had done it more. I was much too uptight with my oldest. If I had gone to a movie or too, maybe I would have been more relaxed. I was much more laid back with my second, but I couldn't really take him since I had a 2 1/2 year old who was not ready for movies. The one time my husband too him so they could have some special time together, I did take the little one to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. He did great for about 3/4 of the movie. I actually sat on the floor in the very back of the theater. I could see the screen and there was enough light from the hallway that I could see the diapers and bottles. It was perfect!

I took my infant to the movie theater with us to see children's films that my older child wanted to go to...however, I only took her while she was young enough to either sleep in her carrier or be breastfeeding/sleeping in my lap.

Then once she got too big to sleep/BF during the movie but too little to actually sit though a film...well, we stayed home from movie theaters until she was old enough to enjoy it too.

I haven't been to a movie in a theater that wasn't for kids in years...babysitters are expensive and so are movies.

Would I have taken my infant to an adult movie? Maybe....with my first he cried all the time so, no with his temperament it never would have worked...with my second the one mentioned above, yes I would have taken her if given a chance to see a movie I wanted to see...but it never happened.

I brought my 2 week old, but he slept the entire time and I had him in a blanket with his ears totally covered by one ear being against my chest and the other covered with the blanket and my hand/arm.

We did try to bring our 10 month old to a movie, but she could;t sit still, so my husband, who had bought a ticket, ended up walking the halls with her the entire time to keep her happy.

We have not brought another baby to a movie! In fact, we are going tomorrow and have my parents watching our 14 month old, while we take the other 3.

No, no, no! I also hate seeing 5 year olds at the 10pm show. If you can't find/afford a sitter, then get a redbox!