advice for going to a game with a 1 year old

Submitted by chickenpotpie on
hey everyone! my husband desperately wants to take our daughter to a game this season. she'll be 1 in october. we're likely going to the cincinatti game, and potentially sparty. aside from thinking we're crazy (understandable), any advice for making it bearable? we'll be driving from MD. thanks!!
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carolina blue

August 6th, 2017 at 8:16 AM ^

Terrible idea. Its also cheaper to get a babysitter. A lot cheaper. You're only going to get the child overexposed. Being outside for four hours is generally a bad idea for a child that small. If you love your child, want to enjoy the game, and generally give a shit about other people, don't do it.

Joined: 02/12/2014

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1blueeye

August 6th, 2017 at 8:30 AM ^

Drive the RV and bring a fun but trustworthy relative/ friend. Leave said relative(s) with the little one to nap in the RV while you two go to the game. Provide said relative/ friend with food and tailgating experience as payment. Do not do this for State however.

Joined: 02/13/2014

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bronxblue

August 6th, 2017 at 8:35 AM ^

As others have mentioned...this isn't probably going to be a fun experience for everyone involved.  Maybe the kid will make it a quarter or, at best, a half, but the kid will be exposed, probably overwhelmed with the noise, and someone will likely be walking her around 10 minutes.  That's fine if you are ready to basically do loops around the concourse for 3 hours, but seems like a wasted afternoon to me.  I'd say, wait a couple of years and then bring her when there's a chance she can enjoy it.

/ Father of 3-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy.
// Never again

Joined: 11/22/2008

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Feat of Clay

August 6th, 2017 at 8:49 AM ^

I completely understand why this may sound appealing.

Your husband wants to raise her right. He may have been putting block M gear on that baby since she was days old. He may thinking about the photos of her cute self in the Big House. Maybe in hid mind's eye, he is picturing her in the student section her freshman year, turning to a friend and saying, "you know, I went to my first Michigan game before I could walk." His horrible Domer cousins flood their Facebook feed each fall with photos of their infants & toddlers at Notre Dame games & tailgates.

I have been there and I 100% get it.

But I also think her presence can potentially cut way into your enjoyment of the experience. For all the reasons already given. I would find some other way to seal her commitment to lifetime Michigan fandom. Buy one of those exorbitantly expensive cheerleader uniforms for babies, take photos with her before you go, kiss her goodbye, and tell the sitter you'll be back after we get done kicking the stuffing out of Cincy.

Joined: 08/10/2009

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707oxford

August 6th, 2017 at 8:58 AM ^

If you still decide to go after all of this, I recommend seats high up and beneath the South scoreboard. It is one of the few cheap, shaded areas throughout a day game and I believe the speakers are all housed in the North scoreboard, so that will help some with the volume level (earmuffs would still be recommended for crowd noise).

That said, I cosign the advice to wait for the next spring game. Great opportunity to bring little ones due to the added flexibility of the event and extra space around you. Plus you still get your photo ops and don't have to worry about missing something important if things don't go as perfectly as you'd like.



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KennyHiggins

August 6th, 2017 at 9:09 AM ^

Have taken my kids (now 21, 19, 17) to 18-20 games over the last 15 years.  Until they were 6 or 7, we used sorority girls to baby sit for them (DG and Theta girls were great).  Kids were happy, sorority girls got some extra $, we had a great time at the games.  Win-win-win.

Joined: 12/03/2016

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Blue Cannon

August 6th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^

We took our daughter to an early September game. She was hot. She cried a ton. Changing her diapers was an adventure. It was so bad we had to leave by half time. I now have a two year old son and he hasn't gone to a game, and won't be going any time soon.

Joined: 03/31/2016

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steve sharik

August 6th, 2017 at 9:44 AM ^

Wait until the kids ask you to take them. I would start with a sport other than football, men's basketball, or hockey. Go to something like volleyball in the fall, or baseball/softball on the spring. Sports that are fun to go to, tickets don't cost an arm and a leg, and aren't as loud. I realize this advice may not be applicable since you're from Maryland, but if you have connections in Ann Arbor you could get a sitter for the football game and take your little one to a volleyball game that weekend. Heck, with a one year old you might get your kid some love from the players after the game.

Joined: 08/08/2009

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blue in dc

August 6th, 2017 at 10:29 AM ^

And see U of M play something at College Park. Took my daughters to see U of M Women's Gymnastics. The team came up to the concourse in the arena afterwards to thank the U of M fans who were there. Low key, fun (and low cost) experience.

Joined: 01/22/2011

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Go for two

August 6th, 2017 at 9:49 AM ^

I am an usher and have never seen a toddler stay the entire game. The most common issue is the loud noise scares the child. After the first touchdown many parents can be seen heading for the exit. If they make it to halftime they are often sunburn and miserable. The band can also create an unpleasant response. Please note you have to buy a ticket even if the child is in your lap. I would highly recommend finding someone to watch your child until they begin school.

Joined: 12/23/2016

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Durham Blue

August 6th, 2017 at 9:55 AM ^

We have a 7 week old and have talked about taking her to a Michigan game in the fall.  After reading these comments I think we'll pass on it.  However, I think a tailgate would be OK.  Controlled setting.  Access to all the baby stuff.  You can easily get out of the elements if necessary.  We'll just head home after the tailgate and watch the game on TV.  #solidplan

Joined: 10/09/2008

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Putt4Birdie

August 6th, 2017 at 10:01 AM ^

No way in hell. Show your husband these responses and heed our advice, wait at least a few years and maybe try a home game first. The facebook photo op can be at Mden of in front of the Stadium or something if the whole family is in town anyway. ( sorry to imply that if that's not part of his vision ).

Joined: 07/14/2017

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LSAClassOf2000

August 6th, 2017 at 10:11 AM ^

You might be OK at a tailgate perhaps, but like others have said - just don't really. We didn't even attempt taking the kids to a football game until they were six actually (five for basketball, but it is a different vibe and pace at Crisler), and even then you really don't get to stay quite as long as you might want sometimes (most of the time though). 

Joined: 01/07/2011

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sportzfan81

August 6th, 2017 at 10:45 AM ^

I also drive out from Maryland and brought my 1 year old to a game. Based on my experience you should not even consider the Mich State game...especially if it is a night game. For the Cincinnati game, do so at your own "inconvenience". You will absolutely need to have tickets on the home side of the field so that you enjoy at least some shade and you should sit in highest row available to be near exit tunnels. If you choose visitor side you will be in the bright, hot sun all game. Also be prepared to miss at least a portion of the game. Unless he sleeps soundly...the loud cheers will most definitely scare or disturb 1-year old and you will likely have to take a walk out on the concourse to calm him back down. Don't sit in seating Bowl with a crying baby as that will not sit well with your neighbors.

That being said my son had a pretty good experience and my wife left at halftime to take him back to the air conditioned tailgate. I have taken him to games ever since, and think that he started really having fun around 4. However, I only take him to games that I don't mind missing part of the game for increased bathroom and concession trips. I would not even consider taking him Michigan State at night now and he will be 9 in two weeks.

Joined: 05/20/2011

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bluesparkhitsy…

August 6th, 2017 at 11:13 AM ^

It's a bad idea.  It will be a terrible experience for your child, who at best will be bored and at worst will be seriously unnerved by the screaming, etc.  Also, do some research on early childhood auditory development -- without extremely good ear protection, there's a non-negligable chance of permanent (although probably slight) hearing loss.  

Needless to say, if you have a one-year old child with you, neither of you should be screaming at the game, but how fair is that to the team, the occasion, and the people around you?  Worse, the people around you may feel a need to keep their noise level down to protect your child.  That would really suck.

She'll get nothing from this experience -- to be blunt, it would be all about you and your husband.  Just don't.

Joined: 10/16/2010

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bacon

August 6th, 2017 at 11:23 AM ^

It depends on your kid and how you are as parents. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're kid is the type that can sleep through a loud stadium full of noisy fans and you're the type of parents who won't feel bad for him/her having to do so. Also, if he/she does start screaming, are you the type of parents to care what other people think or not. I'm not trying to be snarky with either of these points, but my wife is the type who spends a whole plane flight in painful agony because she thinks one of the kids is crying too much or that they're not sleeping because of all the distractions, and so we've stopped flying with the kids until they're older. I don't think the kids or the other passengers cared FWIW. As for the game, if you have a 1 yr old who will scream at the top of his/her lungs when the team is on defense, I think they'd be welcome.

Joined: 01/04/2009

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RoZ06

August 6th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^

My wife and I took our 6 month old to the 2016 Outback Bowl. We lucked into scalping tickets on the shady side of the stadium at the very highest row. Wife took an Ergo, blanket, and wax earplugs for the kid, and he slept like a champ for about half the game. He was amenable the rest of the time (can turn them forward-facing when awake). I realize a 1 year old doesn't typically sleep as long, but if the game can coincide with a 2 hour nap, it's very doable. Plus, we weren't charged for his ticket so it went about as smoothly as we could have hoped for. As an aside, we have 3 children, now 4,2, and 10 months old. We travel all around Europe with them, and have decided to go just about everywhere with them within reason. We plan plenty of stops at parks and playgrounds so they can run around and have unstructured play while we're traveling, but taking them with us instead of getting babysitters trains them early on how to act appropriately in public. People marvel at how well behaved they are, and I attribute it partly to the way we integrate the kids into our travel and out of the home events. Still, nice to have a babysitter for what we consider adult only events i.e. date nights, plays, concerts, etc.

Joined: 03/10/2012

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UMgradMSUdad

August 6th, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^

Just realize that any presumption that taking your daughter to a game at this early age is about what's good for her, her development, future, wants, or needs is b.s.  And when the few who say it's not such a bad idea advise taking ear plugs, sun screen, and a baby carrier that allows you to keep the baby's face to your chest, that should be a clue as well.

Joined: 07/02/2011

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falco_alba15

August 6th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^

Your child is one. The best scenario is that she sleeps the entire time while you enjoy the game. Unless she's extremely used to loud buzzers, rowdy people, crowd noise, bright lights, and strange smells, she's going to be miserable. That much stimulation is overwhelming for a baby, and she won't even remember the game.

I sincerely hope it works out.

Joined: 02/06/2013

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IMissJohnCooper

August 6th, 2017 at 11:45 AM ^

Maybe if you are hell bent on taking her to a game, try taking her to a high school game or something as a practice and an eye opener to show how little fun it will be. I have a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old who we will take to a few high school games, but no way would we travel to UM, spend $100+ per ticket and not be able to enjoy it.

Joined: 11/04/2008

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freelion

August 6th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^

My advice is don't do it. Leave the kid with the grandparents. The child will have no appreciation of the game and no memory of it and you will be miserable. I took my son to his first game around age 5 and even that was probably too young.

Joined: 10/03/2013

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GoBlueInIowa

August 6th, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^

We didn't take our girls that young, but when they were younger we took them to games that we were okay leaving early if the kids just could handle it. So, specially for the MSU game are you both (or one of you) okay leaving half way thru a competitive game - I know, I know, we should kill them this year, but if that game is competitive the crowd will get more intense which may make the little one uncomfortable. If you do this, you need to have a pre-game agreed plan on whether you are both leaving or if just one - who?

Joined: 03/05/2011

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Witz57

August 6th, 2017 at 11:53 AM ^

Anyone not willing to leave when it turns horrible for the kid in the first 2 minutes is totally unrealistic about the situation and is just being selfish.

Also, don't do it. It's an awful idea. 

Joined: 06/11/2011

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rs207200

August 6th, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^

Pls don't take a one year old to the game. The baby will never remember, you likely will have a bad time and you also lessen the enjoyment of those around you.

Joined: 04/26/2011

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The Jeepney

August 6th, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^

Each of my three kids went to their first game when they were between 12 and 24 months old. I have very, very fond memories of those games, and we took some of my favorite pictures of the kids at them. And the kids, now that they are much older, consider it a badge of honor that they first went to the stadium when they were that young. I agree with a few of the comments above though -- whether it's worth it depends on the kid and what you expect to get out of the experience. If you are a superfan and plan to watch the entire game as intently as you normally would, it probably won't work out. Similarly, it probably won't work out if your kid doesn't like loud noises or can't sit still for any length of time. But if the plan is mainly to hang out with your kid at an early season body bag game, you don't mind missing some (and potentially a great deal) of the game, and your kid is ready for the crowd and the environment, it can be great. In our case, we saw about 1/2 of the game with my first and about a quarter with our second. When we took our youngest, though, she refused to leave the stadium until well after the game was over. Not kidding. The only time she acted up the whole day was at half time (of a blowout) when I told her that we were leaving to go to eat at Blimpy's (which I had been talking up to her for a week). She was closer to two at the time, but a proud parenting moment.

Joined: 08/06/2017

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Don

August 6th, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^

but when you get this degree of near-unanimity of opinion from a user base that normally likes to tear itself to pieces in arcane internecine disputes over basketball recruiting and secondary coverages, it's an indication that heeding the collective advice is probably wise.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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WolvinLA2

August 6th, 2017 at 12:12 PM ^

So the responses here are resounding, but I'll give my 2 cents as a parent anyway. This is not a good idea. Even if you concede that you're OK not having any fun (the most likely scenario) and you have enough money that wasting this much isn't a big deal to you, it's almost certain that this is bordeline irresponsible and unhealthy for your child between the noise, sun and other stimuli, but it will also be disrespectful to those who paid good money for tickets around you. I know that if I went t a game and there was a 12 month old near me, I'd be very conflicted between trying to be respectful of the baby (who has no business being there) and enjoying myself by yelling, screaming and cheering. I shouldn't have to make that choice if I paid for my ticket. But the biggest thing is your kid. She will almost certainly not have fun, and I think it could legitimately be bad for her. I just can't imagine why anyone would want to put themselves of their child through that.

Joined: 11/13/2009

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ThWard

August 6th, 2017 at 12:26 PM ^

And I relate to the desire, but don't do it. It's pointless. I took my 4 (now 5 yr old) to the spring game and then a regular season game, and even though he's a young sports nut, even 4 borderlined on pointless.

If you just want to take your baby for the sake of staying she was at the big house at such a young age, take her to the next spring game. But taking a 1 yr old into a stadium of 108,000 people is not worth the photo op and story, I promise.

Joined: 07/10/2008

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mongoose0614

August 6th, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^

Don't go to the game, don't go to disney, don't go anywhere with a crowd now.  Save your money and get a sitter and go with him yourself.  You need couple time not 1 year old time in a loaded stadium with lots of sudden chearing.

You will not have fun nor will anyone around you.

Joined: 01/12/2009

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MGoViso

August 6th, 2017 at 12:29 PM ^

We brought my son to the Maryland game last year (he was ~9 months old).

He lasted through the whole game, which surprised us. My wife was willing to leave early with him if necessary, which I think was important.

We got him lots of snacks and ensured he had good naps beforehand. We had a few family members to share in holding/wrangling him.

It wasn't totally easy, but it was very fun. You probably know that you can't predict whether the kiddo will have a really bad day though.

Joined: 09/27/2009

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salami

August 6th, 2017 at 1:21 PM ^

I wouldn't do it. Though it's rare, occasionally things can get out of hand in the stadium. Anecdotal story, was at homecoming at NW game a few seasons ago. A fairly large guy a couple rows behind us was completely wasted, stood up on the bleacher, then toppled forward into the rows below where I was sitting. A family with two younger kids (4 or 5 yo) was sitting next to us and took the brunt of this guy's fall. The mother who had the younger boy in her lap was completly crushed by this a-hole. The dad (along with a lot of us) wanted to beat the living shit out the guy but the ushers whisked him out before things escalated. Mom and the boy were sobbing and had to leave the game. Luckily, no severe results, but I shudder to think of a one year old pinned under the pile of people on top of uneven bleachers. Just my opinion, but really bad idea. Take the advice of 97% of the people on this blog and wait until spring game.

Joined: 10/11/2010

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H8anythingState

August 6th, 2017 at 1:37 PM ^

Headphones is key. Loud noises are hard on kids. I have been taking my kids to the Big House for years. They are 10, 8 and 6 now. Noise canceling headphones and a tablet for sure!

Joined: 05/01/2017

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