NYC with newborn

[ddmarsh]

We have the opportunity the end of June to get away with just Lily, our DS's will be at my MIL for a weekend. I would love to get to NY to see a show and have never done so with a newborn. Is there any chance we can sneak a nursing newborn (well she'd be 5 mo. at the time) into a matinee or even to the new Cirque du Soleil show (it's apparantly out on an island and you take a ferry over to it). We have friends who would watch her but unfortunately they are probably going to be away for that weekend and this is our only chance to get away. Also, is it acceptable to take a baby to MOMA and some restaurants? Any and all advice appreciated, it has been a really long time since we've been able to get away alone and having only one child is as close as it will get for now :).

Debbie
Mom to 3 boys, 1 girl

[Marisa6826]

Debbie-

OK. Here's my take on the situation. Sophie is now 5-1/2 months old. We take her to restaurants all the time (NY and NJ). Generally we make sure she's full and dry before we even consider bringing her out. That way she'll either just hang out or kind of doze while we're eating. Bring a toy or two just in case. We go to nice restaurants, but we're not talking Lutece here! I would call ahead and see. Zagat's has a list of kid friendly places if you're interested.

We're going to see Cirque du Soleil tomorrow! First, I don't think it's playing much longer, so check the dates. We thought about taking Sophie with, but I have found that when taking an infant anywhere not usually "kid friendly", you have to be prepared to get up and walk out at the drop of a hat if the kid isn't cooperating. At $100/ticket, I wasn't prepared to do that, so we got a babysitter. However, kids under 2 are free and they have to sit on your lap (no infant seat on the floor). I know that when I saw it two years ago it was quite loud. That could frighten an infant.

MOMA in midtown is closed for extensive renovations. They have temporarily moved to Queens ( I think that's the borough). There's always the Met, the Whitney, Guggenheim or Museum of Natural History.

As far as a matinee goes, I don't think children under four years old are allowed at all unless it's something like the Lion King or A Year with Frog and Toad. I have found that when I take Sophie someplace where she really doesn't "belong" I don't really enjoy myself because I'm so paranoid she will start to "act up". I think that you're just asking for trouble by taking her to the theatre.

Sorry to rain on your parade! It's just so incredibly hard to find stuff that grownups can enjoy and take their munchkins with, as well. It really depends on the personality of your child. If they're "high maintenance" and always crying then you're stuck. If they hang out and sleep a lot, you can slide by. Do a search online for kid friendly things to do. Try Citysearch or NY Times Online.

Just my advice and experience.

Good luck!

-m

[ddmarsh]

Thanks for the response. I really was inclined to think the theater was out of the question, much as it breaks my heart. Also I had forgotten about how loud Cirque is, so I guess that won't work either. I think we'll just skip coming there and go with an alternative plan, it just isn't worth a trip there to me if I can't get to the theater.

Have fun at the Cirque show, it sounds fabulous - my goal is to see every show of theirs at some point :).

Debbie

[egoldber]

We took Sarah to Manhattan when she was 8 weeks old. I wouldn't take a baby to the theater, but I wouldn't think twice about bringing one to ANY museum. I actually find museums to be good places to nurse, they always have hidden benches, nooks and crannies, and small, unvisited side rooms.

As for restaurants, again, depending on her personality, I wouldn't have any qualms. If she is really fussy or colicky, then maybe not, but of she is generally contented in the evenings, then sure!

HTH,

[mcmorfit]

Debbie,

Don't forget the Children's Museum as well - they have GREAT stuff and it is very kid friendly. It is on the West side close to Natural History. Lily will have fun just going window shopping. So much to see, so much to see.

We lived in NYC but moved about an hour away, so whenever I go in DD always has a NYC hangover the next day - lots of naps.

Have fun!

[nofeea]

DH has been trying to convince me to try taking DD (6 mos) to a movie. I have resisted each of these suggestions except when he convinced me to come with him to the American Museum of Natural History's Imax Theater presentation of choral reefs. It was only a 45 minute movie so I agreed to risk it. We brought in her car seat, which we balanced on the seat between us and I had a full bottle and pacifier ready at all times... To my surprise, SHE LOVED IT! I think it was like her Aquarium Swing come to life!! She watched the screen in total fascination for most of the show although I did use the bottle when she started vocalizing a bit. We even went out to dinner afterwards and she slept through that! It was definitely fun to get out, but I must admit I was nervous throughout the movie just waiting for her to cry...