Tips for Taking Baby to a Baseball Game
Ryan Belcher
For me, one of the best spring activities is a day spent at the ballpark. Whether it’s your small-town Minor League team or a Major League club, it’s hard to beat that feeling you get cheering for your hometown team.
We recently decided we would take our 10-month-old baby to his first Philadelphia Phillies game. Our experience ultimately turned out to be much better than expected, and I thought I would share some of the insights we gained and pass them on. The following are just a few tips/tricks we learned for taking a baby to a baseball game.
Tip #1: Sun Protection
This is especially noteworthy if you are attending a day game. Depending on when you arrive and when you leave, you will be out in the sun for between 3 and 4 hours. Protecting your baby’s sensitive skin is vital.
We approached this in two different ways. 1) We put sunscreen on any exposed skin. This is a fairly obvious thing to do (side note for moms and dads: don’t forget your sunscreen. We are not getting any younger, we must do all we can to protect our skin so we aren’t aging faster than we need to). 2) We dressed him in a UV swimsuit that covered his arms and legs and had a built-in hat. The less exposed skin, the less chance of getting burned.
Trea Turner jersey for infants
Travel-sized sunscreen for babies
Tip #2: Hearing Protection
Babies don’t just have sensitive skin, they have sensitive ears. Like any sporting event, baseball games tend to get loud. To ensure your little one doesn’t suffer any hearing damage, make sure to get them ear muffs. We went with the Alpine Muffy Baby ear muffs, but there is no shortage of similar products on the market.
Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection
Tip #3: Baby Carriers Are Better Than Strollers
Some stadiums do allow strollers, but there really is no room to actually store them. You are better off just putting the baby in the baby carrier instead. Also, babies get into the game for free as long as they sit on your lap, so the baby carrier can help you hold the baby, keeping your hands free to eat food and catch any balls that may come your way.
Ergobaby Omni Classic
Tip #4: Familiarize Yourself with Stadium Policies
Anyone who has gone anywhere with a baby knows they do not travel light. You need your bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, etc. I cannot speak to all stadiums, but at Citizens Bank Park, you are allowed to bring in “medically necessary” bags, which include diaper bags without restrictions.
Tactical Baby Gear Expedition Backpack Diaper Bag
Tip #5: Day Games Are Best
For a variety of reasons, I prefer day games to night games — especially for babies. However, the biggest downside to day games is being in the sun all day. Do your research on the stadium to see where the best seats are for shade. At Citizens Bank Park, we sat behind home plate a little ways and enjoyed the shade for the entire game.
Tip #6: Get Your First Game Certificate
When you take your child (14 and under) to their first Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park you can get a first game certificate for them at guest services. This is a really cute way to commemorate their first trip to the ball park, especially since when they are really young, they are less likely to remember.
All in all, our first trip to a baseball game was a success. I am looking forward to making many more memories with the family at the ball park.