Taking a baby to hoys/Olympia

K

kiagirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 September 2007
Messages
70
Visit site
I just wondered what you guys thought about it. I usually go to hoys with my mum and Olympia with my OH. Baby is due in summer, do people take babies to these places. I can't remember lol.

My OH would have her while I go to hoys but tbh, I get 10 calls and 50 texts about the dogs and horses so may be less hassle to take her?

Also with Olympia being close to Xmas not sure if asking mum to have her for a couple of days would be fair?

Decisions decisions, I can't abide crying babies (I know god help me lol) so I wouldn't let her scream and ignore her so I would hope she won't annoy others
 
Until you have your baby, you won't KNOW if you can leave her to go to the shows :p ( you may not want to be parted or may not be able to be parted if you breastfeed and she/he doesn't take a bottle
 
I personally wouldn't. It's not a nice place for babies as it's indoors and so many people. Your baby will only be a few months old, do you really want to expose her to all those germs people are carrying?

I go to HOYS every year and also expecting a baby this summer. Shows is just one other thing I just accept I won't be able to do this year.

You can't have everything :)
 
Of course you can take her. It will just mean more organising, the biggest pain I found at Olympia was taking a buggy on public transport. Quite a few sets of stairs!
Having said that, friend and I always manage and we used to have two buggies between us.

When mine were really tiny, I found it easier to take a buggy but use a sling once at Olympia.
 
Oh, good question OP. My husband actually showed and interest in Olympia this year (he has he sights on training the next Shetland pony grand national
Winner!) usually he cant stand horses events and said we could go with our friends who are horses. However since that discussion I got preggers and am due in October, I would still love to go but think I might be pushing my luck to make it this year!
 
Thanks everyone. Pedilia, we stay in a hotel that's about a 10 min walk from Olympia so thankfully won't have the hassle of public transport.

I can't breast feed so that's not an option I have to worry about. I will book tickets and can decide nearer the time if baby comes or not. I'm not going to wrap her up in cotton wool, people/germs etc. she will be poo picking with me from a few weeks old. I don't see why a baby can't fit in with our lives, I just have to adapt a bit and be more organised. I am certainly not planning on sitting in for 6 months once she is here. Life is too short and I want to get her out and about and used to the big wide world
 
No, no, no!
Screaming babies wreck it for other paying visitors, and could be a distraction for the horses.
The only place I took mine,when had no choice, was outside shows, like Blenheim or local ones which are not under cover.
Plus, dragging a baby round London in particular is not easy. HOYS is obviously easier, but screaming baby indoors is like being stuck next to one on a plane, please don't do it!
 
BWa that might be a bit soon if baby is late or you have a c section etc. My OH loves Olympia, he won't entertain anything else! We didn't make it last year as I felt a bit wobbly so we are determined to go this year :)
 
No, it will be unpleasant for both of you.

There are far too many people at Olympia for a buggy, it is too late in the evening and if your baby is up past his/her bedtime he/she is likely to scream inconsolably and you may have problems finding some way of heating up bottles.

Personally I have MiniBoo out and about from the very beginning but I did avoid crowded places. The common cold is not likely to harm a newborn but it will mean a couple of weeks of really unpleasant time for both the baby and the parents.
 
I do like babies..but it would be my worst nightmare to get a rare night out..be trying to watch the showjumping..and have a screaming baby in the audience
 
HBM1 said:
I do like babies..but it would be my worst nightmare to get a rare night out..be trying to watch the showjumping..and have a screaming baby in the audience
Click to expand...

this but many babies will be fine especially if in a pouch on mum, i used to take mine to a few busy paying spectator events and i just think you need to get a seat that is easy to get up and leave from, and be prepared to leave the spectator area as soon as they start yelling (if that happens), you can go back once they have settled. be prepared to miss some of what you go to see and if you dont miss any it is a bonus
 
I really really wouldn't. The shopping village at Olympia is always packed so a buggy would be really impractical and I would be worried about being bumped into with a baby in a sling.

Maybe go to an outdoor event instead this year if the weather is nice where baby can enjoy a bit of fresh air and where there's plenty of space to call your own. Is missing one year really going to make any difference?
 
I haven't even had babies myself yet, but I would say it is pointless even thinking about this until after you have given birth. You will change the moment you are a mum and so no point trying to plan things until you know how you are going to feel about it then.
Whatever you do though, congratulations and hope all goes well for you. X
 
I have had so many arguements with people lately about my 6 months old,

I dont care, he has as much right to be somewhere as anyone else, what about that group of cackling of women?, the group of hoofing loud men? IF i ever bothered to attend anything like this, I would probably have my son with me!

And by the way, everytime someone pipes up, hes not been making a sound! work that one out, some bitter people out there!
 
I don't recall seeing any little babies there. I don't think it would be a good idea, myself. I remember when my eldest was tiny we took him to a huge son et lumiere while on holiday and he slept through the whole thing (2 world wars and the French revolution!), but he was only a couple of months old. I think if he was 6 months old, he would not have been so happy!

I think you have to think about the worst case scenario - ie that the baby is disturbed and screams through the whole thing! Not good for baby, not good for you and not good for everyone else around you!
 
Zero00000 said:
I have had so many arguements with people lately about my 6 months old,

I dont care, he has as much right to be somewhere as anyone else
Click to expand...

His right to be there? Who are you kidding. This is about your "right" to take him because it's easier and/or nicer for you that way.

HIS choice, at six months old, would probably be to be at home.

Have you thought why people are telling you that he should not be with you even though he is making no noise at the time? Where are you both when this is being said to you?
 
It's not just the common cold I would be worrying about...

With cases of whooping cough, measles, and flu on the rise and rise and indoor arena is the very last place I would take a baby, nevermind my own.

I'd go to outdoor events as there is breathing space and a bit more freedom but never an arena like that.
 
I can honestly say I can't remember seeing little babies at Olympia. Also the aisles around the shopping areas are VERY busy and narrow and to get to any of the seating you have to go up stairs so how practical this would be with a buggy/pram I'm not sure. I can't imagine it would be a very nice experience for a baby. I'd be inclined to go down the baby sitter/mum route.
 
OK - so if you have the chance to leave her at home then grab that chance with both hands and run like the wind ...

If you cannot find a babysitter then of course you can take her - yes it will need more organisation but for a baby of that age it is more along the lines of plenty of milk (or boobie!) and perhaps something to nibble on if she is starting to take solids. Lots of babywipes too.

Oh and enjoy!

Oh I would add that if you have a baby sling then go for that option - not sure you will be able to get around with a pushchair
 
kiagirl said:
Cptrayes because I am going anyway, I'm not sure if I will take the baby.
Click to expand...

I thought you meant you were going with the baby anyway, sorry :(

Have you been before? It is incredibly busy in the shopping area, with people squashing from all directions and I think you'd have a lot more fun without worrying about the baby being squashed. A buggy would be a complete nightmare. If the babe will sleep the arena will probably be fine but the commentary and crowd are loud and excitable. I don't have any experience of how a baby of under 6 months would cope with that, I know some can sleep though anything (and there's been some very heated debate in the paper about sedating them with a hay fever drug!).

I hope you have fun whichever way it goes.
 
Babies are no bother to take anywhere , when they are toddlers is when it becomes a nightmare !! I'm going to ingliston to watch the showing with my boys today who are 6 and 3 and I know I will be a stress head by the time I get home lol !
 
I really wouldn't OP. imagine the stress you'd feel (and then baby would feel) if he started crying or screaming whilst you were watching a class and people started looking!
Depending on the baby you could feel constantly on edge.
You'll deserve a break by then anyway!
 
kiagirl said:
Thanks everyone. Pedilia, we stay in a hotel that's about a 10 min walk from Olympia so thankfully won't have the hassle of public transport.

I can't breast feed so that's not an option I have to worry about. I will book tickets and can decide nearer the time if baby comes or not. I'm not going to wrap her up in cotton wool, people/germs etc. she will be poo picking with me from a few weeks old. I don't see why a baby can't fit in with our lives, I just have to adapt a bit and be more organised. I am certainly not planning on sitting in for 6 months once she is here. Life is too short and I want to get her out and about and used to the big wide world
Click to expand...

So naive :p
 
kiagirl said:
Thanks everyone. Pedilia, we stay in a hotel that's about a 10 min walk from Olympia so thankfully won't have the hassle of public transport.

I can't breast feed so that's not an option I have to worry about. I will book tickets and can decide nearer the time if baby comes or not. I'm not going to wrap her up in cotton wool, people/germs etc. she will be poo picking with me from a few weeks old. I don't see why a baby can't fit in with our lives, I just have to adapt a bit and be more organised. I am certainly not planning on sitting in for 6 months once she is here. Life is too short and I want to get her out and about and used to the big wide world
Click to expand...

In all honesty I'd leave baby at home. I NEVER take babies to shows or horse events. It's too much for them. Baby has no interest in sitting and watching the showing or shopping. Baby will want to have meals, nappy changes, naps and play regularly. And it is INCREDIBLY difficult to get round shopping malls with a pram in tow. Some woman had one at a recent even i went to and she was in everyone's way. Horsey people aren't the most tolerant of babies anyway, and everyone was tutting and mum looked very stressed.

By late next year you'll be appreciative of a couple of baby free days anyway :) And hubby will have learnt to relax.
 
Please don't take baby. I can't think of one single reason why it would be a good idea. Loads of reasons why it would be a bad one.

Baby won't enjoy it.

You won't enjoy it.

Rest of the spectators won't enjoy it. (baby WILL cry at some point)

Competitors won't enjoy it.

An event like this is purely for the purpose of enjoyment. No one achieves that with babies in attendance.
I have to say, it baffles me why mothers these days drag babies everywhere with them. I used to love time out for me, and some places really are no place for babies.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top