Need some advice on taking an infant to Crisler

Submitted by JHendo on

***I'm sure this is something that gets asked on here every so often, so I sincerely apologize if it's been too soon since this topic last came up and/or this post irks anyone too much***

With most of the students out on break and a "less attractive" opponent coming into town, my wife and I figured if there was any time to take our infant girl to her first Michigan sporting event, tomorrow's game against Holy Cross would be the game.  Alas, as first time parents with very pretty much no Michigan fan friends with children, we have no idea of the logistics of bringing a 4 month old to a game and only recently found the balls to take her out to restaurants with us.  So, I turn to you MGoBlog.  Please give me advice on how to make this less painful for us, for her and for fans around us, or at the very least, talk me into saving this milestone for another time in the future.  Here a few concerns I definitely have:

  • Mgoblue.com says children of all ages need a ticket.  How strict are they on this?  I mean, a ticket for an infant, seriously?  Even airlines aren't that anal.
  • The bag policy at Crisler is simply "no oversized bags." Will we get hassled if we brought a regular sized diaper bag, and would they have to search it?  Would a prefilled bottle somehow violate the dreaded "no container" rule?
  • This one is a bit of a stretch, I know, but what about baby carriers?  Obviously trollers aren't allowed, yes, but nothing is said about carriers, and if we do have to pay for a seat for the baby, might as well get to use it.
  • How did you bring your infants to games?  Carrier, baby sling, just carried them, other...?

Lastly, we'll greatly accept any other tips or tricks you have, or any words of warning you'd like to give.  Thanks!

 

Edit - Thanks to everyone who commented with advice one way or the other!  Besides all the hassles of bringing the baby, since this is the first game (and possibly the only game) of the season my wife is able to attend without too much of a struggle, we're leaving the baby at home with her Aunt.  There will be a lifetime full of Michigan games for her to see when she can actually at least attempt to understand what is going on.  Thanks again, everyone!

Mabel Pines

December 27th, 2013 at 2:01 PM ^

I've taken my kids to games when they were babies and stayed for about a quarter or less.  I don't think babies can make it the whole game and I don't get that either.  Even when mine were 2-5, they never sat the whole game.  We would walk around or leave.  (Also note these are Eastern/western type, warm weather games, not ND or Ohio)

Cali Wolverine

December 27th, 2013 at 2:29 PM ^

...I was talking more about the folks with the miserable baby (the baby was feeling miserable not that the baby was a miserable baby) that sat behind me at the UTL games...until the end....and the folks that were at the 9:00pm showing of the Hobibit with their baby.

I have been lucky with my older one...she sits still through the entire footbal game and is mad if I tell her we have to leave early because it is getting late. I can't wait to take my little one...but like you...she is the type of kid that can't sit still...so we are starting with a mellow basketball game.

Mabel Pines

December 27th, 2013 at 3:02 PM ^

And I agree with you.  I don't like when people make their babies stay when they are clearly done. 

Maybe I'm just sensitive because some dude higher up in this thread just wished death upon me and my family.  Which is weird, because it's not like I said "Give Borges a 10 year extension", I just said I took my kids to football games.  The internet is a strange, strange place.

Victor Valiant

December 27th, 2013 at 2:58 PM ^

I agree with the guy above that the desire to bring your child to the things you enjoy is incredibly strong. That being said, I don't want to be "that guy" that is ruining somebody else's experience by bringing my child to an event he won't be able to comprehend or enjoy anyway. If he starts crying or shits himself it's going to be quite a hassle. I vote leave the child with a relative or baby sitter. Wait until she is old enough to talk/walk and enjoy the game.

ClearEyesFullHart

December 27th, 2013 at 2:58 PM ^

The assholes are really out in abundance today.  Rest assured that the people in Crisler will be much nicer than the responders here.

We got some $2 stubhub tickets to a nobody game last year and took +-6 month old twins.  It wasn't all that loud(as I am sure Holy Cross wont be) but it was mostly a giant photo op in the new Crisler(kids with the fountains, kids in the your-head-here children's area, my son with the dance team(priceless))  They made it for about a half before the bright lights and noises stopped entertaining them.  That's about what you could expect.

I took my little girl to another nobody game this year at something like 16 months.  She sat and ate her pretzel and went "ooh" for the first half, but once we ran around the concourse at halftime she wasn't ready to sit down again, and started beating the poor lady in front of us with the foam finger we'd bought at halftime.  It was time to go.  Rest assured that you wont see much of the game, but your kids will not be scarred for life(seriously people?)  They may even have some fun, I say go just for the experience.  But drop your wife(and baby) off before you park.  It's cold out there.

In reply to by ClearEyesFullHart

jmblue

December 28th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^

The question isn't whether the child will be traumatized.  The question is whether it's worth it to the parents - and whether it's fair to other fans seated nearby - to have an infant with them at the game.  A four-month old in a loud public place for two hours is probably going to start crying, and that's not fun for anyone in the vicinity.  I don't think it's worth it.  Get a babysitter and enjoy the game in peace.

 

 

meechigan

December 27th, 2013 at 11:04 PM ^

I see that you're not bringing her now but maybe reconsider when she's a few months older. I see nothing wrong with it as I was brought/then brought myself to every U of M home football games from 2 weeks old until I graduated from U of M . Sporting events, both participating and attending was a big family activity. Noise is more of an issue now at Crisler with the excessively loud music introductions at the beginning and the spotlight action probably isn't good. Likewise for football some of the piped in music is jacked up so I would bring headphones (like the concert kind). Enjoy the game with your wife but think about bringing your daughter to a future game.

UMxWolverines

December 28th, 2013 at 12:15 AM ^

I'm gonna agree with the majority and say don't do it. There's a chance that she'll be fine, but why take the time to drive there and pay money for the tickets and parking with the possibility that she does get upset, sick, or poops and you have to either miss most of the game or leave early? Plus it isn't fun for people around you. I've been there. 

I didn't go to my first Michigan football game until I was five. Old enough to pay attention a little bit but not young enough to irritate people around me. 

Cold War

December 28th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^

With all  due, I consider it borderline mistreatment of an infant to take them into a  loud  environment for several  hours. She certainly won't enjoy it. Get someone to  watch her, and if you can't, don't go.

JHendo

December 28th, 2013 at 4:19 PM ^

I'm not bringing her, but regardless, I have different ideas of what constitutes mistreatment. Not all babies are the same. Some babies, like mine, actually are complacent in noisy environments. Now, if I knowingly brought her and sat right next to the band or the Maize rage, sans ear plugs, you'd have a very small but valid case. To be a parent locked away in your house and not doing the (reasonable) things you enjoy because you have a baby seems more like mistreatment to me.