Baby on Board

[Scott Halloin]

My wife and I are cruising fanatics and experienced sailors. We are going to be having a baby this spring. Like most sailboat owners we know, we have had many children on board at various times, but never an infant. We don't know anyone who has, other than the occaisional authors of Cruising World articles! I would appreciate the comments of anyone with children as to when they felt they could safely bring a baby on board, how they secured a child seat, what type they used, where they found good / appropriate floatation equipment and what it was, and the general ins and outs.

 

[Guest]

Seems to me...

...that you're dealing with the consequences of the ins and outs now...

 

[Don Evans]

Wee Ones

Having had a few on board myself, I actually found it easiest when they were new bornes. Problems were more evident as toddlers, so ones that just eat and poop are pretty easy to care for. The best spot for them is in there bucket seats, right from the car to the boat. Probably at your feet in the cockpit, but out of the sun. Assuming your wife will provide the meals, other than wippies and diapers theres not a lot to bring either. The well padded V-berth is an excellent playpen too, if you can keep an eye on the babe from the pit. Of course your not going to subject her to extremes of weather and waves, so your windows of sailing narrow a bit. I never had any flotation device for the babes, figuring there really was no way a 20lb baby could keep anything on even if they made something for them. Parents natural instinct for their childrens survival will keep you from making poor choices.Don

 

[hp]

Dinette

We used to have a Catalina 25 with a dinette interior. We put a portable bassinette between the two seats unless it was vey windy then used a harness and an infant PFD. Mom and baby stayed below. This worked out pretty well.

 

[Alan Liebnick]

I agree with Don....

...infants, particularly newborns are the easiest to "deal" with. All they do is sleep, eat and make! The rear facing car seat with canopy is an excellent choice. Granted you are not going to expose him/her to direct sun, the shaded cover is great. Also most pediatricians do not recommend sunscreen before 12 months, you should use MOISTUREL by Westwood/Squibb not as a sun screen but to prevent the skin from drying out from wind and salt. WE have a 8,6 and a 2 1/2 year old. All were raised on our Hunter31. They have all become great crewmen. When in doubt go with your gut feeling. As a parent it will never steer you wrong. Best of luck.

 

[TOM MCNAMARA]

seasickness

most people say that 50 percent of seasicknes is in the mind,wrong,my daughter took along her infant and we kept amidship for less rocking but she did nothing but cry. when she went to the dr and explained the problem,his first reaction was it was definetly sea sickness. however she is 10 and fine now