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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I can manage this?

19 replies

MissBax · 10/12/2017 19:08

It's been a dream or mine to do a walking holiday since watching 'Wild' (highly recommend!).
The one of got my eye on is the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which is 186miles. I'm on maternity leave and DH has some leave booked around May / June. We're both strong walkers and could probably manage around 18 miles a day, which would take 10-12 days.
DD will be 8/9 months old then.
Is it absolutely absurd to think we could do it with DD? We'd stay in b&bs rather than camping, and would probably use a carrier/sling.
To be honest even typing this out I'm starting to see that it is pretty far fetched... Isn't it?!

OP posts:

MyBrilliantDisguise · 10/12/2017 19:09

It's probably the best time to do it, as long as she has a chance to crawl around several times a day. As long as the weather's OK, she'll love it.

Jacobsbread · 10/12/2017 19:09

Honestly... they get to an age where they just want down and exploring. I very much doubt any child would be happy in a sling or pram for 18 miles a day.

Splinterz · 10/12/2017 19:10

Most of the third world manage that sort of walking daily, I'm sure you will too with the right equipment.

MrsPicklesonSmythe · 10/12/2017 19:15

I loved that film and the book. Your Dc will be weaning around that stage, what will you organise all of that? How about all the extra gear you'll need and the extra stops for changing etc? Could you stop to give Dc some play time? Would DH enjoy it?

KalaLaka · 10/12/2017 19:17

You'll manage it, but slings with bigger babies are tiring. I doubt it'll be very enjoyable, to be honest, but you could give it a go. Be prepared to change plans?

NapQueen · 10/12/2017 19:19

Have you factored in the weight of the baby plus the weight of all the baby's stuff?

Original poster

MissBax · 10/12/2017 19:22

There are companies who can transfer belongings and luggage from b+bs whilst you walk, and then just thought about carrying the necessities for the journey.
In re to weaning, I was thinking baby led so whatever we're having-ish?
I've not thought this through have I?

OP posts:

Chosenbyyou · 10/12/2017 19:30

I have a 8 month old - I would not do this. If it was raining it would be truly awful.

My DS wants to spend all day crawling band trying to stand. He knows his own mind - he has several bottles a day and three full meals, two long naps and can be grouchy in the evenings. The day has to revolve around him to be honest and his needs.

I would personally put it off til they can walk properly for a long period.

Original poster

MissBax · 10/12/2017 19:39

Thanks Chosen, I think I knew it deep down
In that case - can anyone recommend a baby friendly UK holiday destination for May / June time??

OP posts:

earlybirdhasanap · 10/12/2017 19:47

I did/do a lot of walking with my baby. I probably could have done this with her up to 5 months ish and she slept a lot but as soon as I started weaning the long walks (all day) went out as it was too tricky to find places for her to safely eat in remote areas. (Needed a highchair, she wasn't sitting up unaided well enough to eat on the ground).
It was also difficult taking her out to eat as she's never been a great eater and was really fussy about food she'd never seen before so it's hard to go to a pub and hope she likes what they're selling. 8 months they are at a weird stage of needing 3 meals a day but the meals don't resemble normal toddler/children's meals (maybe that was just my dd though?!).
You have to factor in the weight of the baby as all of a sudden they start to feel really heavy. You would definitely need an good carrier. My concern would be having a really unhappy baby and still being five miles away from where we need to be.
Mine has been out all day in the carrier but I doubt she'd be happy to do it days in a row. Although mine was almost walking by this stage and wanted to be exploring not watching. A less mobile baby would get less bored I think.
I'd love to do it though, maybe give it a go but prepare yourself not to finish it. Best case scenario it's a dream, they nap well in the carrier, eats well and loves it. Worst case scenario you have a fussy, teething 8 month old and it's pissing down raining. Good luck!

ThisMorningWentBadly · 10/12/2017 19:47

A proper hiking carrier and it will be fine. Though surprising heavy. Just how strong walkers are you.

my Dc used to love being the carrier and would be happily carried for 6/7 hours (with some breaks).

However it will be killing heavy.. Some of the best walks I’ve every had have been went DH has been laden with child and kit and i’ve been skipping along. .

Witchend · 10/12/2017 19:50

I don't think you can tell.
Dd1 would have been perfectly contented. Dd2 would have hated it from the moment she was bored about 20seconds after starting, and ds would have been okay with it as long as there was a wheel to spin in his sight.

I'd have agreed with dd2

Frederickvonhefferneffer · 10/12/2017 19:50

Sounds great. Do it.

caffeinequick · 10/12/2017 20:00

Can you move it forward a few months? Walking with the lo in a sling at 4/5 months would probably work fine.

CrestedTit · 10/12/2017 20:03

No idea about the feasibility re walking so far with a baby etc, but the Pembrokeshire coast path is lovely. Maybe you could rent a cottage and do smaller sections? I would especially recommend Marloes Sands and the deer park.

CrestedTit · 10/12/2017 20:04

Also St Ishmael's church and monkhaven beach. Pembrokeshire is lovely in June.

DailyMaileatmyshit · 10/12/2017 20:04

I'd have done it with DS at that age. I breastfed and we did babyled weaning. He was really happy in the sling, so wouldn't have been an issue. Only issue I could see would be rain and wind (rain with no wind and I'd just use a brolly).

Haint · 10/12/2017 20:36

We’ve done bits of that path. It’s pretty rugged in places. Narrow, uneven and treacherous drops. It sounds like a lovely idea but given the propensity for rain and a wriggly bored baby it might be inadvisable

formerbabe · 10/12/2017 20:40

It sounds like hell. My ds walked at 8 1/2 months! He'd have gone nuts if I'd had him in a sling for an 18 mile walk! Imagine walking in the rain for hours with a potentially screaming, wriggling baby who needs a nappy change?!

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