Hi everyone. I just joined this forum and I hope you can help me with a question. My husband wants us to start going back to the range. My concern is our 4.5 month old daughter. My husband says it's probably OK to take her, but I'm concerned that she might be too young. Can anyone give suggestions or past experiences with taking very little ones to the ranges? Maybe if there's baby head gear out there and/or what other precautions would be necessary for her young little self. Or if it's not good to take her, when would be a good age to start. Thank you everyone for your help.
Babies on the range
- Thread starter Emma
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.38 Special
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Noise exposure: I wouldn't trust any over-the-head ear protectors for a little one. My wife is an audiologist and made a pair of custom in-ear protectors for our nine month old. This should cost between $100 and $150, and they will be outgrown every few months.
Lead exposure: this is extremely serious for a tyke. If it's an outdoor range and she can be kept well away from the line, it will probably be okay. If an indoor range, IMO it is not safe to take her into the firing area.
HTH.
Lead exposure: this is extremely serious for a tyke. If it's an outdoor range and she can be kept well away from the line, it will probably be okay. If an indoor range, IMO it is not safe to take her into the firing area.
HTH.
So, as far as the noise exposure. This is an outdoor range and has a decent sized parking lot. Do you think a certain distance will work? Keep her in the car? With those precautions, should we still look into child headsets? Are there child headsets out there for infants?
MikePGS
Member
Yeah .38 special hit it right on the head. As a matter of fact, infants are so susceptible to lead poisoning that i'm afraid (almost certainly overcautious) to shoot for awhile since i don't want to put my 11 week old at risk.
LeonCarr
Member
Initially I was more worried about noise, but now I am very concerned about lead exposure. My 9 month old future shooting buddy had his 9 month appointment recently, including a blood test. Before the blood test, my wife had to fill out a questionaire. It included questions about shooting at indoor firing ranges, reloading, and living near new construction sites. In other words, I was three for three, and my buddy got tested for lead exposure.
I am very severely anal retentive about not eating or drinking while reloading or shooting, and always wash my hands thoroughly after shooting or reloading and before holding my son. His levels hopefully will be normal, so my hobby can continue
.
I will not take my son to the range for at least another five years. I would not even take my wife to the range when she was pregnant for the airborne lead issue.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
I am very severely anal retentive about not eating or drinking while reloading or shooting, and always wash my hands thoroughly after shooting or reloading and before holding my son. His levels hopefully will be normal, so my hobby can continue
. I will not take my son to the range for at least another five years. I would not even take my wife to the range when she was pregnant for the airborne lead issue.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
.38 Special
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Yes, distance is very effective. Fifty yards is probably a fairly safe minimum. One hundred yards is a guarantee. And a car with the windows closed is very effective. Of course, leaving an infant alone in a car with the windows closed will draw some negative attention, at the least.
Dr. Peter Venkman
Member
4.5 months old is NOT old enough. Are you planning on leaving your young daughter in the car unsupervised?
Mt Shooter
Member
When our grandson was 5 to 6 months old, his mother was stationed in Korea, my son and I where shooting USPSA. My wife would take him in his stroller with a head set on and he would usually fall asleep during the matches. These where out door and now he is 4 yrs old and seems to be none the worse for it.
Absolutely a bad idea! That kind of startling and threatening sound can and most likely will be traumatic to a baby. I'm sure your pediatrician will agree. Very little to gain and lots to lose. Your baby isn't eating solid food yet. The developemental processes doesn't need stimulus like repeated loud gun shots at 4-5 months.
Think about it!
CRITGIT
Think about it!
CRITGIT
Gord
Member
I'd suggest to your husband that he reconsider. There should really be no reason to take a four-month-old to the range; why not go in turns, with one of you staying home to watch the baby?
If he (or you) really insist on going together, that's what babysitters are for.
Getting your kids into shooting is great, but you might want to wait a few years...
If he (or you) really insist on going together, that's what babysitters are for.
Getting your kids into shooting is great, but you might want to wait a few years...
I love ya, Emma, but...
Is it really that vitally important that you go shooting today?
Good golly, can't we just wait a little longer?
Adult ear muffs and ear plugs won't fit your baby. And a tremendous amount of sound goes through the mouth and nasal passages. Right now, plug your ears with your fingers and listen to yourself breathe. Surprised, huh?
If you want to take a chance with your baby's hearing just to do some shooting, please take pause and rethink.
Is it really that vitally important that you go shooting today?
Good golly, can't we just wait a little longer?
Adult ear muffs and ear plugs won't fit your baby. And a tremendous amount of sound goes through the mouth and nasal passages. Right now, plug your ears with your fingers and listen to yourself breathe. Surprised, huh?
If you want to take a chance with your baby's hearing just to do some shooting, please take pause and rethink.
RockyMtnTactical
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I couldn't take my son shooting until he was willing to wear hearing protection. He was about 3 years old when that happened...
You can always get a sitter... Mother in Laws are good for one thing, that is for sure!
You can always get a sitter... Mother in Laws are good for one thing, that is for sure!
Aran
member
Babysitters.
NavyLCDR
member
Give the kid an airsoft. I think 4.5 months is too young for the real thing. Maybe move up to a pellet gun for her first birthday.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Find a sitter, please.
Lead and noise are both more problems for the youngins than us oldins.
Wash off your face, hands and arms in cold water. And change your clothes in a mudroom, or garage. Wash them immediately, and keep those shoes off the carpet.
Lead and noise are both more problems for the youngins than us oldins.
Wash off your face, hands and arms in cold water. And change your clothes in a mudroom, or garage. Wash them immediately, and keep those shoes off the carpet.
qajaq59
Member
As a rule I'm pretty liberal when it comes to kids shooting or going to the range. However, that's just too young. A baby sitter is the way to go. It will be better for the child, and it'll give you and hubby a break from being parents for a couple of hours.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
There is NO reason an infant should be voluntarily subjected to those sorts of insults.
moooose102
Member
get a baby sitter when both of you want to go to the range!!! the noise can make her deaf, the lead can cause a myrad of health problems, if which reproductive harm is one. i really can not see where inhaleing gunpowder residue can be healthy for a new set of lungs either. and there is always the chance that some dufus could have an accidental discharge. ending the childs life right there on the spot. you and hubby shouldnt quit going by any means, but leave your baby with someone you trust! also, (i am not trying to be nosey or vulgar here, i am just saying it is something to consider) if you are nursing your baby, ask you doctor if any of the above can be transferred through your milk. i remember when my wife was nursing, how much stuff that she consumed was transfered to or kids through her milk.
1 old 0311
member
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Young ears are VERY sensative. Please don't damage them.
cambeul41
Member
I would rather trust the opinion of a shooter's audiologist wife. See post #2.
four months old.. i have to agree.. do not take your kid to the range
their immune systems are still fragile at that age. most things you or I could brush off, not so easy for an infant to do. exposure to the loud noises, chemicals and the overall atmosphere is not very beneficial to your child during their developmental stages. infact, its detrimental
this is the time where problems could occur. dont risk it until shes at least 2 years old
their immune systems are still fragile at that age. most things you or I could brush off, not so easy for an infant to do. exposure to the loud noises, chemicals and the overall atmosphere is not very beneficial to your child during their developmental stages. infact, its detrimental
this is the time where problems could occur. dont risk it until shes at least 2 years old
Additional tips on shooting with babies
A bit of drift here, but since this has been raised:
Can anybody offer additional tips on limiting lead exposure to little ones at home after shooting?
I'm about to get out to the range for the first time after having my first child earlier this month and want to whatever I can to limit his exposure to lead contamination.
I'll be shooting on an outdoor range, and will have the opportunity to clean the guns, change clothes and wash my hands/arms/face before leaving the range (and before getting into the vehicle). Everything will get bagged up and washed separately when I get home. Range bag will still need to be brought into the master bedroom, but maybe it will get sealed inside a trash bag or something. We live in a small condo, so 'quarantining' the shooting gear is kinda tough.
Any other tips/thoughts?
A bit of drift here, but since this has been raised:
Can anybody offer additional tips on limiting lead exposure to little ones at home after shooting?
I'm about to get out to the range for the first time after having my first child earlier this month and want to whatever I can to limit his exposure to lead contamination.
I'll be shooting on an outdoor range, and will have the opportunity to clean the guns, change clothes and wash my hands/arms/face before leaving the range (and before getting into the vehicle). Everything will get bagged up and washed separately when I get home. Range bag will still need to be brought into the master bedroom, but maybe it will get sealed inside a trash bag or something. We live in a small condo, so 'quarantining' the shooting gear is kinda tough.
Any other tips/thoughts?
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