Is it okay to take a 7 week old baby to a firework show?

Question

Wont it damage their ears or will it help them get used to loud noises?

This is just for opinions as my friend is taking her baby. My baby is 13 weeks and there's no way I am taking him. He can watch through the window at home.

Answer 1

I would always advise against this for several reasons:
1 ) The atmosphere is too smoky for a new baby
2) Loud noises frighten babies
3) They wont know whats going on
4) You have years of happy fun to look forward to taking your child to firework displays.
5) It will be too cold for a new baby to sit around at night however well you wrap him up

Hope thats enough reasons not to take them
Chris Midwife

Answer 2

I think that taking a 7 week old child to the fireworks show is fine. There is no risk on the "developing ears." The cochlear (the actual organ of hearing) is located in the ear and is fully formed by 20 weeks gestation, so when your child is born they actually have perfect hearing. Fireworks (provided you are not directly next to when they are being fired from) are not going to damage her hearing. As for the noise, I find that the younger the child is the more that they tolerate loud noises. In utero the child is exposed to very loud sounds on a continuous basis (the heartbeat the sound of the mom talking and environmental sounds).

As another reader said, I would be more concerned about the germs from other people present. But again, I don't find this a reason to remain secluded in the home. Keep others from touching baby's face and hands and you should be fine.

I might suggest keeping the baby in a sling. Here the baby will be kept away from onlookers and also have the comfort of the mom right away. The mom could also put a hand over the babies ears should she find the sound a bit too loud (unlike in a stroller where this might be awkward to do)

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

A little history lesson for Pamela L, fireworks & the uk, this is what it is with us brits, we celebrate Guy Fawkes being captured after his plot to kill the king was unveiled in 1605 with fireworks, we aren't shallow, the fireworks mean something as does thanksgiving to the americans.

Back to the question, I personally wouldn't take the baby but it's up to the parents, if they want to take their baby out what's the problem, the fireworks won't be let off next to their little ears so very unlikely of any damage occuring but they may be scared but on the other hand if they see the bright lights in the sky they may be in awe!

Answer 4

I have two little girls. I personally wouldnt take them, babies of this age tend to be asleep mostof the time anyway, so the loud noise would probably make them jump or keep them awake. The other thing about firework night is that its more than likely going to be freezing ( as it is today) and I wouldnt want them getting cold for my own pleasure (which I believe it would be), every body wants to show their new baby off and what a better place to go (where every one is going out), but time of year doesnt make it suitable. MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION...

Answer 5

Well I'd say it depends on how close you are to the fireworks. Maybe you could sit in the car with the baby? If it were me, I would not want to subject the baby's ears to that loud noise...on the other hand, fireworks aren't always that loud...probably the best thing you can do is take the baby to the show, and watch for a little while, and if it turns out that the fireworks ARE too loud, then you can always retreat to the car and watch from there. I know we took our baby with us to the movies (Pirates: Dead Man's Chest), and it turned out to be SO loud that about halfway thru the movie, I ended up taking her out into the lobby. You just have to see first. :-)

Answer 6

You can do what ever you want with your baby but I sure wouldnt take mine at that age. They wont enjoy it and will probably only get scared from the noise and could very possible catch a cold since it isnt July right now. I am glad you have enough sense to not take your baby like your friend is planning to do. Why risk them getting sick or scared. That small they should be at home in bed nice and cozy and warm at night and not in the middle of a bunch of strangers and loud noises and in the cold.

Answer 7

A babys ears are not fully developed at 8 weeks to fly in an aeroplane so i would not recommend going to fireworks display. I am due in couple of weeks and would not take my bundle to a display for safety reasons.

Answer 8

I dont see a problem if you take adequate precautions, which I would say are, put baby in a carrier so that they are close to you. Wrap them up warm, a woolen hat is essential.Dont stand too close. If the baby appears startled then take them away. i took my 5 week old third baby to a professional display 8 years ago and he never even woke! So each child is individual.

Answer 9

I wouldn't do it; they need peace and quiet, and all that noise and excitement could feel very threatening to a baby, especially when they are too young to understand what it is or tell anyone how they feel. Also bringing them out in the damp cold night air is not advisable. People who say it gets them used to it are the type who think you learn to swim by being pushed in at the deep end!

Answer 10

If you position yourself so the fireworks are somewhat at a distance, and not as loud, the baby should be fine. Just cover the ears with a couple of blankets, and he/she will probably sleep through the whole thing. Enjoy the show!