Every first and third Wednesday of the month, Camera 7 Cinemas in the Pruneyard Shopping Center is offers "Diaper Days," a morning of exclusive screenings, tailored to the needs of nursing mothers.

"The idea was to get new mothers out of the house and do something, while still feeling like they could bring their babies with them," said Nancy McWilliamson, who pitched her idea to the movie house earlier this year.

Her inspiration came last September when a mother's group she belongs to, Los Madres, organized a movie outing for some of its members. Nearly 15 mothers and their babies arrived for a regular show time and soon realized that baby talk, lullabies and random crying did not go over smoothly with the usual crowd of moviegoers.

"We got a lot of stares from people, and I just said, 'You know this doesn't really feel comfortable'," she said.

So she approached the Oaks Theater in Cupertino and talked the management into exclusive screenings for mothers and their babies. When the theater shut down in February, McWilliamson brought the Diaper Days idea to Campbell, where the event has grown to accommodate more than 100 new parents.

"It's a great opportunity to get out of the house," said Caroline Devaux, who's brought her 5-month-old daughter to Diaper Days twice so far. "The whole concept for mothers is just great."

First-timers Colleen Simpson and Lydia Douglass said they never even left the house for movies before they heard about Diaper Days through a mother's list.

"I haven't been to the movies in a year," said Simpson, rocking her 4-month-old baby in a stroller. "I've been to Blockbuster and that's about it."

Diaper Days regulars like Sunnyvale-resident Keith McCabe said the comfortable environment and accommodating conditions keep them coming back for more.

"So far they've been very effective," said McCabe, bouncing his 1-year-old son in an arm. "They keep the lights bright enough so you can see your kids, and they turn the music down on the movie."

But McCabe admitted that Diaper Days is not the best place to watch an action-packed thriller. Because of the lower sound level and the louder background noise, the event is more suitable for less intense films.

"I don't think I'd want to see The Matrix on Diaper Days," McCabe said. "I'd rather see something that's not too bad because you don't expect complete peace and quiet during the movie."

Even with intense movies out of the question, San Jose resident Sharna Wilkerson said she prefers Diaper Days to regular theater showings.

"My husband and I once took our daughter to a regular showing, and it was really kind of nerve-wrecking," Wilkerson said. "It's nice to know that if your baby is crying, someone else's is, too."

Wilkerson, who said similar events are held for new mothers in her hometown in Australia, added that she feels more comfortable breastfeeding among other mothers.

And parents may not be the only ones who feel more comfortable at Diaper Days. Agna Brayshaw, who just moved to the area from New York, said her baby used to tag along with her on errands all day. At least on Diaper Days, Brayshaw said, her 1-year-old son can enjoy a nice movie with his mother.

Starting June 18, movies will begin at 10 a.m. instead of the original 11 a.m. time, due to changes in the theater's summer schedule. Since Diaper Days are open to the general public—parents and nonparents alike—McWilliamson said showings are held earlier so parents get a more exclusive feeling.

"Other people can come, but basically they're going to have a theater full of moms and babies," she said. "We kind of like being able to say it's just moms and babies in here, so we're all in the same boat."

Because the program is still less than a year old, McWilliamson said she plans to "just grow with it and see what works."

But in the future, she hopes to persuade nearby restaurants and shops to provide special discounts for Diaper Days customers.

To learn more about Diaper Days, e-mail DaiperDay@aol.com or contact Camera 7 Cinemas at 408. 559.6900.