Keeping the Babe in the Berth

[CruiserDave]

Hi all,
My Wife and I are taking our 11 month old son on a bareboat charter in the BVI next week. This will be our third bareboat experience, and first with our son. One thing we are concerned about is putting him to bed before we want to turn in. That is, how do we keep him from rolling out of the bed while we are not in it with him? I was thinking of some bungee/netting to rig up. Any advice for a newbie? Thanks!

[GeoPowers]

Originally Posted by CruiserDave

Hi all,
My Wife and I are taking our 11 month old son on a bareboat charter in the BVI next week. This will be our third bareboat experience, and first with our son. One thing we are concerned about is putting him to bed before we want to turn in. That is, how do we keep him from rolling out of the bed while we are not in it with him? I was thinking of some bungee/netting to rig up. Any advice for a newbie? Thanks!

Our son was just over a year old when we moved aboard, and slept in his own cabin. We simply lined the back wall with an extra rolled up blanket, the interior wall with the spinnaker , and the other, exterior wall with 2 thin pillows (which also acted as insulation of sorts). We also put a pillow on the floor, and one over a cornered edge on the hanging locker. Occasionally, he found his way on the floor, but he always landed on the pillow and was never worse for the wear.

[Mariness]

On a charter this past winter, we had our 6-month old with us. I made a "nest" for her on the floor, so there would be nowhere for her to fall to. Then when she got to her middle-of-the-night wakeup, she snuggled up with us til morning.
Worked great, everyone got a good nights' sleep the whole trip

[CruiserDave]

Thanks to both of you for the advice. My wife was not amused when I told her if he falls out, he will learn not to do that again!

[AnchorageGuy]

Dave, My son starting cruising at 18 months. We would sting up netting, http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|88189&id=363314 , along the quarter berth and it kept him in place in almost all weather.

[Jetexas]

I like the nest idea -- but in the floor of the dinghy. That way you could float it out with enough lead line that you can't hear any crying.

[captain58sailin]

What about a baby sized hammock? Or the way I do for myself when things are rolling around, put a couple life jackets under the leading edge of the bunk. For your own vessel, a set of lee boards might be in order.

[Mariness]

Originally Posted by CruiserDave

Thanks to both of you for the advice. My wife was not amused when I told her if he falls out, he will learn not to do that again!

Must be a guy thing, my husband suggested the same thing. I wasn't amused either.
Don't tell him - but he was just about right...she fell off our bed at home twice, wasn't hurt, but now she watches out for the edge.

[svHyLyte]

Beware netting. Some people we know nearly lost their 13 month old to a choaking accident with netting. Closely woven mesh lee cloths are one thing but loosely woven netting is another.

FWIW,,,

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Mariness

On a charter this past winter, we had our 6-month old with us. I made a "nest" for her on the floor, so there would be nowhere for her to fall to. Then when she got to her middle-of-the-night wakeup, she snuggled up with us til morning.
Worked great, everyone got a good nights' sleep the whole trip

You got it.
I can't believe my 21yr old, 6' 1", 190 lb son once fit on the cabin sole of my original C&C Redwing

[CruiserDave]

Thanks for all of the advice. We will probably try the nest on the floor. I'll let you know how it goes. Can't wait to go! 6 days and counting.

[captain58sailin]

One could always sew a liner in the webbing or create a hammock out of canvas.

[stevensc]

Lee cloth or I believe better, a small matress on the floor, make sure he can't get out at night!
Steve

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by Jetexas

I like the nest idea -- but in the floor of the dinghy. That way you could float it out with enough lead line that you can't hear any crying.

heh. I worry that my 200' of line won't be far enough ta get Himself outta earshot... but he is MUCH noisier than a baby... lol

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

What about a baby sized hammock? Or the way I do for myself when things are rolling around, put a couple life jackets under the leading edge of the bunk. For your own vessel, a set of lee boards might be in order.

hammock, one of the woven fabric type are common for traveling with babies in the tropics. Seems like it would be good on a boat. Make sure of a stabilizer line so it doesn't get to swinging...

This is a fancy one

but this is what I remember my friends usuing