Bringing baby

[Lydia Banales]

You might consider the option of staying in small hotels or private
homes along the way. You would all get better rest and be able to tend
to the baby's needs better. It's not the same as taking a baby camping.
Each day you have to pack up and move. You will have to carry many
supplies for the baby in addition to your own things. I'm sure you can
do it if you are determined.  We spent a week in Paris with our
grandchildren aged 9-months old, and a 3 and 5 year old. The baby was
the easiest because we carried her in a soft front pack. But she had her
needs and it was challenging. (And we were in a city with every
convenience available to us.) If you do decide to go with the baby, you
probably should plan on shorter walking days and private accommodations.
 I hope you're nursing her because that will be the easiest. If not, be
mindful of the water. It's good water, but infants might have a harder
time adapting to the different mineral content than adults. The last
thing you want is a baby with diarrhea or diaper rash. Good luck in your
decision. Lydia

Jeffrey Crawley wrote:

>A tough one.
>
>I've never seen kids younger than 8 or so on the Camino and they can get
>sooooooooo tired and irritable just when you want to get some rest after
>your day's walk.  My own daughters are 16 and 14 but I still haven't
>forgotten the middle of the night screams from the youngest when she was 9
>months old, I really don't think I'd have wanted to inflict my Philippa on a
>room full of exhausted pilgrims.  Think back a couple of years, would YOU
>have welcomed someone bringing a very small baby while you hiked the
>highways and byeways of Spain?
>
>As an ex-hospitalero I'd even have doubts about letting a dog in again
>(sorry Trigo) after a bad experience of a spaniel tied up outside and
>barking through to 2am! (I finaly got up and untied it whereupon it went in
>and slept next to it's owner's bunk for the rest of the night)
>
>Don't forget how hot it will be in the summer too - 40deg C in places.
>
>Pushing a stroller, no matter how rugged, up O'Cebriero would be no joke.
>
>I don't think that baby would suffer but you and everybody else might and
>you don't want everybody disappearing as soon as you hove into view.
>
>On balance, unless you are desperate not to be separated from your little
>girl I think it would be better for you, her and your fellow pilgrims for
>you not to take her along.
>
>That probably didn't help a bit did it?
>
>Jeffrey
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Teri Duff [mailto:teriaPASSITDOWN.COM]
>Sent: 25 April 2003 00:19
>To: GOCAMINO
>Subject: Bringing baby
>
>
>My husband and I are planning to spend two weeks walking the Camino,
>(late June/early July).  We are planning to bring our daughter who will
>be 9 months old at the time.  We have a very rugged jogging stroller
>which I believe will allow us to push her over any terrain.
>
>Do you think we will have any problems being accepted into the
>refugios?  I was just planning to have her sleep with me in a sleeping
>bag made of sheets.  Do other people bring small children?  Is there
>anything special we should be taking into consideration?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Teri
>
>
>