beeailseebob

Thank you all! I'm smiling and agreeing at all your comments - must dash, there's a nappy with my name on it :- )

Hello people, I am sorry for not mentioning it earlier, as lots of people gave me really good feedback on bringing a baby into the world when you live on a boat and asked if I would let them know when she was born. I am the proud owner of a Sophie, who arrived on August 12 2007 weighing a good 7 lbs 15oz. Shes now 11lbs! The boat has been turned upside down accomodating her - i can't believe how our space and best laid plans have been completely thrown! If anyone wants any more info, ie: anything i have found helpful on board, etc., please pm me.

Lots of congratulations to you!!! It's so exciting isn't it? We've just moved back on to our boat, which now has a 6' 4" nursery space, although I do think I'll want to have the baby in the bedroom with us at first. Am seriously contemplating the Amby Baby hammock, which I've done some fairly thorough research on to check it's safe, (there's an online forum that a a lot of midwives contribute to and was recommended by my NCT Ante natal teacher. - very informative.) the baby can sleep in it for up to twelve months, it turns into a baby bouncer and folds away for travelling - good for staying with friends. With all the preparation in the world, it seems so much has to be played by ear in terms of what equipment you need, use of space, etc. If there's anything I can offer in the way of advice, although no doubt you'll be inundated, please get in touch Ailsa xxx

Thank you Bottle. many people I know were raised in homes without central heating, myself included for the first few years. Its actually more the heat thats bothering me at the moment: In our old boat the squirrel stove would occasionally (albeit through user error) go a bit furnace-like. I'm also thinking about the hot weather and keeping the nursery cool enough.

Lol! You may have a good point there! Thank you! Mmm... Champagne My partner's read it - I have lost the concentration to read a full book, but yes, thats a good idea Thank you, that is our thinking, to give our little one(s) a lovely start in life. We're in Brentford for at least the next few months As far as safety is concerned, that baby will be having swimming lessons at the very first opportunity! Apparently they take to it well from three months onwards. I'm also going to get a mosquito net, as I saw a lot on the water last year. Thanks Carlt, that's answered one of the bigger questions, moses basket it is. Fitting the baby in a cabin with a fixed double does need some thinking. We will keep our off side mooring for a while too. Did you have any thoughts on heating? Boats seem to get either very hot or very cold when stoves and the cold weather are involved.

Hello, In just under seven weeks I will be having my first baby and I'm wondering if anyone has any really good, space-saving/multi-functional items they would recommend for bringing up a child afloat. In particular, I think the baby will start life in our bedroom at night, and we have enough space for something like a moses basket/carry cot. Just wondering what are good space saving ideas. The baby does have a 6' 4" nursery, which I intend to put a cot/bed in, as we are still fitting out and don't have time to build all the furniture from scratch. I just thought I'd check with forum people before I begin nesting and spending loads of money in earnest!

I'm not sure if anyone else has put someting up regarding this, but there is now a government petition so people can register their objections to the proposed plan of getting people to tender for vacant moorings. For those who don't know about this, Its very contraversial and has huge implications. To sign the petition go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/moorings/ For more info, there are other threads about this topic on the forum.

This year, for the first year ever, I've seen a kingfisher at Rickmondsworth and Brentford Thames lock (Greater London area) - I thought they were rare, I think they're on the increase though.

Yay! Congratulations! I have absolutely nothing useful to say on the subject, but may watch this thread with interest. I'm expecting my first in August (and I'm very excited!) We keep wondering how many we can fit in our boat and think that for the next one, if there is to be a next one, we'll make bunks. But I had wondered about the idea of stretching.

Hi Jill, Yay!!!! Hurrah for Rayburns! They are soo lovely! I have a friend with a solid fuel Rayburn and they only have a relatively small flue and they got theirs through the BSS no probs. I've had a quick look at the BSS regs regarding flues and there is nothing about flu size. From what I know the flu size relates to how well the fuel burns (no doubt someone will put me stright if I'm wrong.) The BSS regs are easily down-loadable if you need - sorry, I can't remember the address. We bought an Aga for our new boat, with a back boiler, maybe a bit overkill as they're a bit bigger than Rayburns. The idea of all that hot water, cooking power and heating all in one lovely stove really appeals. We bought ours second hand on ebay (£400 ish) and had to dismantle it and will re-build it to put it in our new boat. My fella Liam is very handy so we felt we had the ability to take this project on. I'm sure there are second-hand dealers who could help you with your quest. Liam also said that builders who don't work on boats should be ignored! I hope this helps. I do love those little single Rayburn units though, but they're loads of money!

My dog fell in loads last summer - her first summer as a live-aboard. I would strongly advise a harness - it's much easier to pull her out, compared to just a collar. (She's not a water dog particularly - German Sheppard Collie cross.) However, on all but one occasion it was no big deal. The big deal happened when she fell in a lock and slipped her collar, hence why I think harnesses are a good idea.

Hello there, Welcome to boat life! I don't normally get involved when people are thinking about their choices when it comes to life afloat as there are invariably so many opinions when it comes to "ways of doing it" (living afloat that is.) and I certainly don't think there is a definitive Right or Wrong way to go. However (I bet you knew that was coming!) I think with yourself, a dog and occasional visiting girlfriend you may (and that is not a should!) want to consider something more like 50 foot. It just means you're not living on top of each other and would give you a bit more PC space. I looked at a 45 foot boat when I first got into boats and whilst there was a PC area, it was all a bit crammed in. Maybe you've been looking for a while and know you can live on this size boat, but I'm glad to have not bought that boat. Ooh, its all such fun though! Definately recommend a harness for the dog, makes it much easier to fish them out! ;-)

I think I'm of that opinion!!!! Stuff 'em!!! As you can see I've got enough going on in my life!

Thank you very much David!

Thank you for the constuctive comments (the unconstructive comments were... actually I'll stay out of this, although it would be nice if everyone would play nicely.) We have sorted some storage space out so hopefully fitting out whilst living aboard won't be too tough. Just need to hope the baby I'm growing at the moment doesn't decide to come any earlier than August as estimated! (I wondered how long it would be before I told the forum I was pregnant - I'm very excited!!!!) Won't bother with RCD, too much at the moment.