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Sasha Hernandez secured her 8-month-old son's carseat on the cushy chair next to hers and prepared his bottle for a mid-day feeding, then sank into her seat, relaxed and ready to catch one of the latest comedy flicks on the big screen.

A getaway to see a new movie was clearly a highlight for the beaming young mother from Hickam Air Force Base.

"I love this," Hernandez, 28, said with a big smile. "It gives me something to do because it's really hard when your children are small."

Hernandez, her son Elias and her mother Irma Rodriguez treated themselves to the comedy "Baby Mama" last week at Pearlridge West Theatres as part of Consolidated Theatres' Crybaby Matinee, launching this month at all Consolidated Theatres on O'ahu and Maui.

The special weekday screenings allow parents to find respite at the movies, even with their little ones in tow. They can catch the newest movies with other parental movie buffs and their kiddies — meaning no more dirty looks when the little ones get chatty or cranky in the middle of a movie.

Young keiki are welcome in this baby-friendly environment. There a valet to take strollers, and a diaper-changing table in the auditorium. There's more lights, so that mothers can comfortably feed their babies, and the volume is lowered so children don't get frightened by booming sound effects.

The concept originated several years ago in Australia at Reading International Inc. movie theatres; Reading International also owns Consolidated Theatres in Hawai'i.

"I absolutely love it," said stay-at-home mom Puna Lee, 26, of Kane'ohe. "You can finally be comfortable at the movies."

Lee was among the nearly dozen patrons at the "Baby Mama" showing at Pearlridge West Theatres. Lee brought her 2-year-old daughter, Aubrey Smith.

"This is something we can do together," Lee said as she strolled to the theater with her daughter, who was hugging a pink jacket.

After parking her daughter's pink stroller in the designated stroller area, Lee made herself comfortable just a row away from the changing table.

"Being a grandparent myself and a mother, I'm really excited about it," said Roxanne DeCoite, general manager of Pearlridge West Theatres.

It's a great concept for parents and caregivers, DeCoite said.

"It gives them an opportunity to enjoy themselves without feeling pressured," she said.

And there are many pressures for parents who simply want to unwind at the movies: finding a sitter, and if that isn't possible, bringing keiki along with all the concerns about feedings, diaper changes and possible tantrums mid-movie.

"You don't have to worry about people saying, 'Shhh!' " Lee said.

"It's completely opposite," DeCoite added. "Noise is encouraged."

Watching a movie at a theater that welcomes young keiki and understands the needs of parents is wonderful, Lee said.

"It's a very big deal," she said.

Admission for adults is the regular matinee fee — $6.25 to $7.75 at various Consolidated Theatres — and children 4 and younger are free.

Upcoming Crybaby Matinees include summer blockbusters "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Most of the Crybaby Matinee movies are rated PG or PG-13, but a few may be rated R, including Kahala 8's May 20 showing of the serious comedy, "Then She Found Me," starring Helen Hunt and Bette Midler.

"We're hoping parents are going to use their discretion," DeCoite said.

Hernandez, a social worker and stay-at-home mom, plans to make Crybaby Matinee a regular outing for her and her son.

"I get to stay in touch with all the new movies and when people ask, 'Did you see this movie?' I can actually say, 'Yes,' " Hernandez said, smiling. "I don't have to wait to see it on DVD."

WHAT'S ON NEXT

Among this month's "Crybaby Matinee" movies on O'ahu:

• Ward Cinemas 16 — 1:30 p.m. Thursdays

May 15 — "Made of Honor" (PG-13)

May 22 — "What Happens in Vegas" (PG-13)

May 29 — "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

• Mililani 14 — 11 a.m. Mondays

May 19 — "What Happens in Vegas" (PG-13)

May 26 — "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

• Pearlridge West 16 — 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays

May 14 — "Made of Honor" (PG-13)

May 21 — "What Happens in Vegas" (PG-13)

May 28 — "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

• Kapolei 16 — 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays

May 13 — "Made of Honor" (PG-13)

May 20 — "What Happens in Vegas" (PG-13)

May 27 — "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

• Kahala 8 — 1 p.m. Tuesdays

May 13 — "My Blueberry Nights" (NR)

May 20 — "Then She Found Me" (R)

May 27 — "Young at Heart" (NR)

• Ko'olau Stadium 10 — 12:30 p.m. Fridays

May 16 — "What Happens in Vegas" (PG-13)

May 23 — "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

May 30 — "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (pictured)

• Koko Marina 8 — 1 p.m. Wednesdays

May 14 — "Speed Racer" (PG-13)

May 21 — "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"

May 28 — "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

For ongoing movie titles and showtimes, go to www.consolidatedtheatres.com.