Are Movie Theatres for Infants?

Created by Parentune Support Updated on Apr 05, 2020

Movies are a welcome break for the parents, especially new parents, but ask infants if they feel the same! Being a parent to a new-born means some sacrifices have to be made and going to a movie theatre is one of them. And, being a responsible parent means putting the safety and well-being of the baby above everything else. Consider the following risks you are exposing your child to when taking an infant to the theatre.
•Don’t assume that the baby will sleep through the movie. The loud noise from the speakers and the light from the movie screen can scare the baby and make the child irritable, confused, and disturb his sleep pattern.
•The decibel levels in the theatre are too high and can damage tender ear drums. Movie theatres have around 110 to 115 decibel levels whereas 60 to 70 is a normal conversation decibel level. Just imagine what you are exposing your child to!
•Parents should also bear in mind that they would be putting their baby’s health at risk. People cough and sneeze and the air in the enclosed A/C theatre is re-circulated. Moreover, the proximity of an infected person, makes it more easier for your baby to catch the infection.
•If the child starts to cry one parent will have to take the baby out of the theatre and he/she will miss a good part of the movie. Both parents will be stressed in such a situation and the whole purpose of going to the movie for entertainment is defeated. Moreover, parents may feel frustrated and lose their cool with the baby.
•People pay money to watch the movie and are not there to hear your bundle of joy scream. People are quick to let their displeasure known and more often they are not very polite.
•With AC in full swing, the temperature inside the theatre may not be suitable for the baby.
It is therefore better to make arrangements to watch movies at home. This way both parents can relax and enjoy the movie when the baby is sound asleep. Even if the baby is awake there won't be much fuss as babies can be best managed at home. Still if the parents can't resist the temptation then it is better to leave the baby with a care taker or an obliging family member. Or wait, till the child is 4-5 years of age, and then he will be better prepared for a movie theatre experience.
This content has been checked & validated by Doctors and Experts of the parentune Expert panel. Our panel consists of Neonatologist, Gynecologist, Peadiatrician, Nutritionist, Child Counselor, Education & Learning Expert, Physiotherapist, Learning disability Expert and Developmental Pead.



| May 21, 2015
Well I took my baby for her 1st movie the other day. She completes 3 in June and she actually enjoyed the experience. That said in no way am I saying the above write up not right- as a matter of fact I am very much 'For' it in this case. It is absolutely and totally for the parents to make this call as they would be the best judges in this case; however I believe it should not be before 2 and a half years old atleast. We as parents thought a lot about it and planned accordingly. We were prepared at the 1st instance to be ready to leave if need be and if she (baby) got to disturbed or uneasy. We also very much did prepare her by letting her know that she was going to see something on the Biiiiiiiiig TV with a Biiiiiig box of Popcorn.... and Wallah! The whole 1st experience went off well. It was during the last 10 to 15 minutes of the movie that she started getting impatient; however we managed to get through with no issues... The day after we saw Piku, Deepika and Amitabhji appeared during the IPL match and she screamed- "Daddy, Daddy, see Aunty Piku from the Big TV". That made my day.....


| Jun 12, 2015
I waited for almost three years to go to a movie during my first son. Now with my six month old daughter ..we started going to movies. She happily sleeps.. With little adjustments we can have good entertainment in lives. I was so frustrated during my first son. Now with second child I tend to take things easy..




