Bluewater Cruising with 3 months old baby

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by BandB

There is a big difference between raising kids and taking an infant with you. I would also say that just because one person doesn't encounter problems doesn't mean others won't.

seems to me that if having kids with each a different nation of origin isnt cruising with babies and having them en route, then nothing is....
have you ever READ the bumfuzzles words, or just the rumors......

[Certeza]

Most of the commonly cited illness risks for children begin to drop dramatically after they are a year old. Certainly there will always be environmental hazards like falling off the boat, but you can take precautions for those. It is the virus and disease portion that is much harder to actively protect against. Their bodies become exponentially better at coping with illness as they get older. From 0-9 months there are several common diseases that they have a distinct possibility of contracting which would require prompt medical attention. After that, the risk of contracting these diseases remains, but it starts to become much less likely that they would need prompt medical attention as their immune system is getting much stronger each day.

[JPA Cate]

I really don't agree with B&B, so here's a different point of view:

Kids come to live with you, not the other way around, and humans have been having babies for millions of years. A significant portion of these babies survived, or we wouldn't be here. Personally, I think it is a safer environment than a house, because on a boat you are on much closer proximity to the child, available to protect him or her.

So, I agree with the chap who wrote that sharing the child care arrangements cruising, just as one later on shares the teaching responsibilities, can make it work. We know lots of people who have cruised with babies. Normally, all of them get used to the motion, and stay that way. Children who can walk learn to accept the moving environment without thinking about it, may have a little difficulty coping on unmoving ground. All of our bodies can learn little tricks to minimize motion sickness. [There are numerous sea-sickness threads on CF.]

For the parents' peace of mind, as well as their safety, I would recommend "water proofing" the children: teaching them to float on their backs if they fall in. Unlikely on a passage, but can happen at anchor.

It will be a lot of work, and one danger is that the primary caretaker of the children will become resentful due to not being in charge of the boat and enjoying the sailing part of it. Also, working watch systems (or sleep systems, if you prefer) may be a challenge, but one of the adults will nap in the afternoon with the child, while the other is on watch. Children can be trained to afternoon naps at least till 5 yrs. of age, mine were. The cookinig duties on passages will be minimized by creating one pot meals that will go for two days suppers, and the breakfasts and lunches will be kept simple. It will evolve that way, because two adults can do only so much.

It will be fine. They're young and living a dream not everyone has the courage to accomplish. They will HAVE FUN in spite of the hard work and necessity for negotiations.

Just a different point of view, guys. But with many years cruising experiences in back of it.

Ann

[Hudson Force]

Our children are now 34 and 37, but they were cruising with us from infancy. I must include that we are fair weather "cockpit potatos" that cruised mostly by day hops and frequent anchoring. Children adapt to the manner and environment in which they are raised. I don't recall any events of our children being seasick, but that is not an indication that it would not occur. I do remember that my daughter was challenged by the adaptation to the college dorm room when she left home for the university at 17. She had difficulty sleeping in the huge space and had to hang sheets around her bed for the first month.

[Certeza]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

.........................I do remember that my daughter was challenged by the adaptation to the college dorm room when she left home for the university at 17. She had difficulty sleeping in the huge space and had to hang sheets around her bed for the first month.

That's AWESOME!!! Bet she got some interesting looks.

But I totally agree with you. When I was growing up, after some unfortunate medical bills, we were very poor. A relative had excess green beans, so we would bottle them and store them. Consequently we ate a ton of bottled green beans, cause we didn't have money for food. You know what.... I don't remember being poor, but I do remember how much I liked green beans, and still do to this day. Not the nice fresh crisp ones, but the soggy canned variety.

[Gulfmermaid]

Check out windtraveler's blog and Facebook page-
Windtraveler

[arjand]

Just wanted to say thank you very much everybody, I am afraid to check out the blog of rebel heart as I want to be sugar coated at the moment....... :-)

[Certeza]

Originally Posted by arjand

Just wanted to say thank you very much everybody, I am afraid to check out the blog of rebel heart as I want to be sugar coated at the moment....... :-)

I know you said you wanted to be sugar coated, but I hope you are following this. Just as a heads up as to what can happen.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...co-123774.html