Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Hello all. I'm just looking for any advice / experiences.. We are expecting our first in June and live aboard a 60ft nb at a marina. Does anyone have any tips or insights into living aboard with a baby? TIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 I understand that it's a good idea to feed them on a regular basis... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Congratulations. Advice : Find a health visitor who is not prejudiced against 'water gypsies' and tries to get you into land based accommodation. Stand your ground, you are most probably 'better able to live with a baby' than some (many ?) land based folk I understand that it's a good idea to feed them on a regular basis... No, NO, NO, that just means they need emptying more often Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mross Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Is it OK with the marina? Some have rules about children. I can see problems with your neighbours if the baby cries a lot. I do wish you luck, though. I suppose supervision is easy until they start to walk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Thanks for the replies... assuming it's ok with the marina as a couple a few boats down had a baby last year and there's a family of 4 a few boats the other way.. Good point about the neighbours... may need to warn them (oh dear!) It's when he/she starts to walk that worries me, not a lot of space to learn on a narrow boat. Perhaps we can look at a wide beam in a couple of years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kawayuppie Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Really? I hope you jest. Wouldn't think a marina that has resedential moorings would have rules against children. At least I know where I stay don't. Noise, I guess that depends on how close everyone is packed in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 I know of one lady with a young child from our marina who was "chucked out" on the grounds that the marina felt the open long pontoons were a safety hazard for a toddler. But then again, perhaps that was just an excuse. We've seen young folk on the cut working locks etc with a baby in a papoose. So long as you don't drop it I think that is a great way to stimulate a child - so much better than putting it in front of a dangly sparkly thing or plonking it in front of the telly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Thanks - will do my utmost not to drop child Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 We've seen young folk on the cut working locks etc with a baby in a papoose. Thank you, Mr. Norman, for today's new usage. I knew "papoose" as meaning "baby" but did not know that it could also mean a baby-carrier. But I have looked on t'internet, and by George, yes it can mean that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 I'm planning for baby to spend a lot of its time in a sling - which appears to be similar to a papoose - for being on the boat / getting on and off etc. Pram will live in the car - seems much easier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magictime Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Congratulations! I have no experience of raising a baby on a boat, but plenty of experience of babies in general, and my less-than-surprising advice is simply to Beware of Stuff. The amount of Stuff that can accumulate around you when you have a baby is just mind-boggling. Fitting it into a house can be a nightmare, never mind a narrowboat! Maybe you could start an Amazon Wish List of all the Stuff you actually need and want, and persuade friends and family that presents should either be items from that list, or vouchers. Otherwise you face a potential tide of bulky toys and clothes. Other than that, just look for space-saving options - e.g. a booster seat that clips to a table rather than a high chair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0atman Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Far better life than some children will have .If in marina surely there is room so neighbouring boats are not liveaboards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 If you have a stove get a fire guard, possibly have to have one purpose built to accommodate all accessible sides. Obviously weekly swimming lessons from day one. Find out what the part exchange rate is on a puppy, much easier to look after and generally more loyal ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 I'm planning for baby to spend a lot of its time in a sling - which appears to be similar to a papoose - for being on the boat / getting on and off etc. Pram will live in the car - seems much easier! Please dont do the locks with the baby strapped to you. Everyone at some time slips and many people have had the windlass slip which could have devastating results to a baby. I hope all goes well with everything but do take care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Oh blimey - I had no intention of doing locks with baby attached! Don't worry!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Oh blimey - I had no intention of doing locks with baby attached! Don't worry!! Oh good. I and am sure others will tell you they have seen people doing locks and crossing gates with babies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Thank you, Mr. Norman, for today's new usage. I knew "papoose" as meaning "baby" but did not know that it could also mean a baby-carrier. But I have looked on t'internet, and by George, yes it can mean that! Mind you, I got it wrong now I've checked. A papoose is for carrying a child on one's back, whereas what I had in mind is carrying the child on one's front, which I guess is a sling (even though papoose is a nicer word!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 When I google image searched papoose the first thing that came up was a load of pictures of a random young black man. I was highly confused! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 When I google image searched papoose the first thing that came up was a load of pictures of a random young black man. I was highly confused! I'm highly confused as to one of those might be. Mind you, I got it wrong now I've checked. A papoose is for carrying a child on one's back, whereas what I had in mind is carrying the child on one's front, which I guess is a sling (even though papoose is a nicer word!) Whenever I see a parent carrying their wee one in front of them I think how awful the consequences could be if they tripped and fell forwards. They seem to cope, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Random probably the wrong word, as in I have no idea who they could possibly br Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magictime Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Whenever I see a parent carrying their wee one in front of them I think how awful the consequences could be if they tripped and fell forwards. They seem to cope, though. This happened to me once. I lost my footing on the step outside a shop - where I later discovered a loose tile - and fell flat on my face while carrying my baby daughter on my front. She was fine, thank goodness, and I'm not sure she was in any more danger than she would have been in a pram; imagine if I'd lost my grip when I fell and she'd rolled on into the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Brown Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Rule no 1. Convince the health visitors and midwives that you can cope on a boat, that you have cool (fridge?), hot -sterilising, and warm -feed and environment. Rule no 2. Convince said people that you have all the support you need day and night -you will need it. Life on board is better than they think, but you have to demonstrate that when they call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyf87 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Arthur - this concerns me a little as I didn't even stop to think the powers that he might have an issue with it.. We of course have a fridge, have microwave, central heating, even a small second 'bedroom' for when they get old enough to move away from us.. you'd almost think we live like humans! I didn't consider that it might not be seen this way, is it likely that there'll be an issue?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 I'm not sure if carrying a baby on your front is more dangerous than on your back. There is probably more chance of falling forward due to tripping but the cause of falling backwards is more likely due to slipping, if this happens and your legs fly upwards at speed you are going to land on your back with a hell of a lot of force with no way to minimise the impact. At the very least you can put your arms out to slow the impact when falling forwards. It takes quite a bit of practice to learn to turn yourself in a fall. Baby or not self preservation kicks in; in the faction of a second that you are falling instinct will take over to protect yourself, the conscious mind is far too slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Arthur - this concerns me a little as I didn't even stop to think the powers that he might have an issue with it.. We of course have a fridge, have microwave, central heating, even a small second 'bedroom' for when they get old enough to move away from us.. you'd almost think we live like humans! I didn't consider that it might not be seen this way, is it likely that there'll be an issue?? I have known people who were refused 'care' unless they moved off the boat - hence my post (number 3 on this thread) Get your health worker 'trained' before the critical time arrives. Prove you have all of the facilities and family support. You will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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