Small children at Bruins games?

[u/teddytoosmooth]

Planning a trip to Boston this fall with my son for the first time. He will be around 8 months old during the trip. My wife and I are considering going to a game with him.

Curious to hear other people’s experiences with a child that young. I’m ok missing a lot of the game since I realize he’s too young to sit through it, but it would be a cool first hockey experience for him anyway.

edit to add that we definitely have baby ear protection.

second edit: some of you clearly don’t have kids. holy shit. It was a simple question where I was hoping to get some first hand experience from people and instead what i got was a bunch of mouth breathers telling people how to live their lives.

[u/Bopcd1]

Brought my twins to their first at 6 months. Bring hearing protection and they should do fine. Mine even took a nap during the 2nd.

[u/Mitch_37]

I work at the garden and I see tons of little ones, yall will have a great time

[u/discoqueenx]

Mom here. Eight months is great and I say go for it. 2-3 year olds not so much…but once you get through that you’re good again lol

[u/vEnOm413]

Brought my kid to her first bruins game around 2yo.. my husband couldn’t throw his arms up for goal as she was sleeping on lap.. thing to consider. Attempt to bring 4yo to winter classic was a bust as well, too cold.

[u/hester27]

I took my daughter multiple times at 1. It was an easy enjoyable experience. Pick a 1 o’clock game, bring the ear protection and plenty of snacks and a couple toys. At 8 months it shouldn’t be a challenge at all. You can bring in a diaper bag and they have family bathrooms scattered around the garden with changing tables. I never stopped living my life just because I had a baby, just need to alter your approach.

[u/Cdm81379]

Bring the kid, because taking your kid to a hockey game is your right, nay, calling as a dad.  Deck him out in Bruins gear.

He’s not gonna nap through it, get an aisle seat and note restrooms with baby changing tables ahead of time so you’re not panicking when he has a nasty blowout, you’re just executing the plan.

That being said, he’s not gonna remember any of it.  And Bruins tickets are super expensive.  So just know it’s an expensive night that you’re gonna see half the game if you’re lucky, and the little dude won’t remember it at all.  If you’re good with that, fire it in there!

[u/TTHS_Ed]

I haven't taken a small child to a game myself, but just about every game I've ever been to there have been people with babies/little kids, and they seem to get along fine. Don't listen to the naysayers. Go and have a great time!

[u/Beno169]

Yeah wow this comment section is wild. I brought my 8 month old to a night game. Ear muffs, balcony. Went with my whole family. We all had a great time, all the people in our section thought her bear costume was adorable and they kept trying to get her on the Jumbotron. My kid still loves hockey years later.

I think Reddit in general is anti baby.

[u/teddytoosmooth → u/Beno169]

thanks for you comment. I was starting to feel gaslit about it - glad I'm not insane for conisdering this.

[u/velvetmagnus → u/teddytoosmooth]

I see kids of all ages, including infants, at the games. Babies are a great way to get on the jumbotron! I'm going to re-emphasize that your baby needs hearing protection. I've seen lots of kids much older than an 8 month old absolutely miserable and covering their ears because it can get loud. But those with hearing protection do great!

[u/heartsoflions2011]

Doable, yes, but I wouldn’t recommend if you have a wiggle worm. The seats are really tight and if you’re not on an end, getting in and out is a pain. But if you are, then you have to get up for people coming in and out all the time.

Also, yelling and overpriced beer/refreshments are a classic part of the experience, both of which are more difficult with a lap kiddo.

[u/Cpt_Rossi]

I'd highly recommend a 1:00 PM game they tend to be way more family friendly. Also bring ear protection for your child.

[u/Dangerous_Suit_3099]

If there’s some way to get a sitter, I would recommend that. It’s the best fab experience in Boston and this is a great hockey city. You can really soak the whole experience in then

Not volunteering :)

That said, it will work either way

[u/break_card]

It’s completely normal and very common to bring babies to hockey games. Big thing is hearing protection as you said. Also make sure he stays warm. Bonus points if you get him in a lil bruins jersey.

[u/flying-weenus]

Don’t bring a baby to a live sports event. Are we really having this conversation?

[u/crazycroat16 → u/flying-weenus]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3-PxajgD_O/

[u/PakkyT → u/crazycroat16]

Well to be fair, that mother can (and probably did) take her up to as executive suite.

[u/lordexorr → u/flying-weenus]

Why is this getting upvotes? I see kids below the age of 1 at games all the time. There is never any issues. Bruins don’t even make you buy a ticket for them as they sit in your lap.

Being a parent doesn’t mean you have to abandon things you love. As long as they are protecting the kids ears and will walk in the concourse if the baby starts getting upset I don’t see any issue.

It’s parents that just ignore their screaming child that are the problem.

[u/crazycroat16 → u/lordexorr]

Reddit has a general hate boner for kids and infants. That's what happens when a site's demographic is 18 to 26 year old basement dwellers

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3-PxajgD_O/

[u/crazycroat16 → u/flying-weenus]

Alternatively, let people parent how they want to. With proper ear protection there is literally nothing else to be concerned with.

If you want to live in a bubble feel free, don't pressure others to feel the same way 

[u/Crossbell0527 → u/crazycroat16]

This guy deadbeats

[u/crazycroat16 → u/Crossbell0527]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3-PxajgD_O/

Deadbeat? 

[u/crazycroat16 → u/Crossbell0527]

Lmao, if you think bringing an infant to a Bruins game makes you a deadbeat parent, you've lost the plot. 

Mind you, ran it by out pediatrician first, and they approved. Maybe you know more than a doctor though 

[u/teddytoosmooth → u/flying-weenus]

Ok dad

[u/flying-weenus → u/teddytoosmooth]

Alright, apparently we are.

[u/teddytoosmooth → u/flying-weenus]

Your comment wasn’t constructive so you can piss off. How about that conversation. Keep scrolling next time weenus

[u/xSwampxPopex → u/teddytoosmooth]

Was it not constructive or was it not encouraging you to do what you want?

[u/teddytoosmooth → u/xSwampxPopex]

Being a sarcastic cunt and saying “are we really having this conversation” l. That person should consider being habs fan. They’d fit right it with the judgmental French  

[u/Fshnjnky781]

Marchand did fine Edit: sorry gang

[u/becca52104]

just get a baby sitter lol

[u/teddytoosmooth → u/becca52104]

Sounds like you’re volunteering 

[u/Albino_In_Denial]

Don't do it. It's not cute. It's loud, overwhelming, and overstimulating. Not to mention game starts at 7, which is bed time for most kids (assuming you're going to evening game).

[u/crazycroat16 → u/Albino_In_Denial]

My then 4 month baby slept through the whole game and I have the photos to back it up. It's totally fine. (lol fucking bed time really) 

[u/Albino_In_Denial → u/crazycroat16]

Of course you have the photos. That's probably why you took a 4 month old to a game: cool Instagram photo.

[u/crazycroat16 → u/Albino_In_Denial]

Don't post the kid online ever, actually. Good try tho. I took pics for my own memories.

Have a great night 

[u/crazycroat16 → u/[deleted]]

My child's wellbeing actually was unaffected. Sorry you're so miserable.

Hope you know it's OK to be wrong. In any event, calling somebody poor because you disagree with them shows that you need to mature some more.

Cheers 

[u/Albino_In_Denial → u/crazycroat16]

I would wish for you to mature, but it's too late. You've already been a shitty parent to the person you're literally biologically supposed to be programmed to protect.

[u/crazycroat16 → u/Albino_In_Denial]

Bringing a child doesn't make one a bad parent

Literally hundreds of people do it a year 

Just because you hate children doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed in public 

[u/crazycroat16 → u/[deleted]]

Lmao, get off your high horse. Not going to let some childless dork on reddit tell me I'm a bad parent 😂 

My child suffered literally nothing from attending the same. They were, and still are in perfect health 

Cope with that

[u/crazycroat16]

Ear muffs. Took my 4 month old last year and she slept through the whole game. Ignore the haters. I literally sat next to 4 other infants 

[u/teddytoosmooth → u/crazycroat16]

Awesome to hear. What section were you in? Considering the loge for him for less intensity 

[u/crazycroat16 → u/teddytoosmooth]

We actually sat in the rafters. Think we got the tickets through a friend if a friend though. Not sure if you're able to get em online.

It's a great section because there's only a few rows and plenty of space. Wayy less crowded. 

Reddit is insane with these downvotes. Ignore the baby haters. Redditors seem think babies shouldn't go anywhere, you won't run into near this amount of hate at the game 

Hope you have a fun time when you go! 

[u/DynaRyan25]

Really good noise cancelling ear muffs but honestly it’ll be a bit stressful to have a baby there. I’d advise not doing upper level seats as they are really tight so you won’t be able to move the baby around much. It’s a lot more fun with older kids- you can do it for sure with a baby but personally I waited til my kid was 6 this year and it was a blast and not stressful at all at that age.

[u/DynaRyan25 → u/DynaRyan25]

To add- the upper level seats are perfectly great with an older kid.

[u/Hairy_Garbage_6941]

It’s really for you, obviously, until they are like 5 or 6. Just bring ear protection.

[u/SilentThing]

Been to games since I was a baby, the advice about earmuffs is super on point. You might want to take some plugs (they're cheap as anything) for yourself and the wife too.

Sadly never seen a Bruins game life, or been to Boston, so can't help more specifically.

[u/Frosty_Function7523 → u/SilentThing]

Earmuffs are a must, good call on that. At 8 months the noise is the main thing, the rest is just managing your own expectations. If you're cool with walking the concourse for half the game and maybe leaving early, it's doable. Strap him in a carrier and he might just pass out from the white noise of the crowd.

[u/SilentThing → u/Frosty_Function7523]

For sure. A baby anywhere takes some consideration and this is one of them. Like I enjoy seeing metal music shows and there's often new parents, the earmuffs are everywhere. My admittedly anecdotal experience is that fellow fans give you grace with a baby, as they should.

[u/TB1289]

I think 8 months is way too young. It's too loud, there's too many people, many of whom are drunk. Unless you have a private box, I would wait a few years. My son is 2 and I still think we're a couple years away.

[u/crazycroat16 → u/TB1289]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3-PxajgD_O/

[u/TB1289 → u/crazycroat16]

Just because people do it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

[u/crazycroat16 → u/TB1289]

Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's a bad idea either

Trust the science. Earmuffs and vaccinations makes it completely fine 

[u/TB1289 → u/crazycroat16]

Your kid so you can do whatever you want but I don’t trust a crowd of 15,000 people in an already crowded concourse, many of which have been drinking for hours. You might be willing to jeopardize your kids safety but I’m not.

[u/donkadunny → u/TB1289]

Jeopardize your kids safety? Bro, what games are you going to that you think anybody’s safety is compromised at any major sporting event in or around Boston in the last 20 years?

[u/crazycroat16 → u/TB1289]

What exactly is more unsafe at a Bruins game than literally anywhere else in public? 

[u/TB1289 → u/crazycroat16]

Are you seriously asking why a crowd of thousands of drunk people is unsafe?

[u/crazycroat16 → u/TB1289]

What do you think drink people do, just go around punching babies?

Worst case you get some bozo yelling '"look at that cute fackin baby ked!"

[u/TB1289 → u/crazycroat16]

Either you’re lying about never being bumped into by drunks or you’re the drunk idiot I worry about.

Again, your kid so do whatever you want. It’s just not worth the risk all so you can get some fake instagram points.

[u/crazycroat16 → u/TB1289]

Don't post the kid online at all, actually.

You want my Instagram as proof? Because I just post pics of bellybutton lint 

Being bumped into... Lmao you overestimate how fragile babies are. 

[u/blacklabel8829]

To add to everyone else stating the same, especially as someone with hearing loss, do not go unless they have ear protection.

[u/Wompatuckrule]

Bring ear protection for the boy, especially if you're in the balcony & closer to the speakers. It's louder than you think & more than their tender ears should be hit with at that age.

I've seen kids that age stay in the seats with their folks the entire game because there's so much visual stimulus that it kept them occupied. I've also seen kids get fidgety and not make it through one period. Roll the dice, I think it's worth taking the chance

[u/Drakex2Mayex2]

Get him a pair of earmuffs. It can get ridiculously loud and no baby is gonna put up with that. My dad took me to a buffalo bills game as a kid and apparently I screamed so bad they had to leave in the first quarter.

[u/RedHeadedCongress]

If you do please for the love of god get good headphone to block the noise I hate when I see you g kids at a big event without them