Baby in Cave?

[AliCatWalk]

Would you bring a "babe-in-arms" (probably about 2mo) on a 1hr guided, mile-long cave tour?

YABU - Yes
YANBU - No

I expect many clarifying questions so will try to keep up, I am curious about initial impressions 😇

Thank you!

Are you even allowed to?
What's the ground like? Are there paths, or is it rocky?

Unless you knew the cave, knew it was a flat and smooth path and were confident you could manage it while carrying your baby, it would be a pretty stupid thing to do, IMO.

Apparently so, because the baby was indeed admitted onto the tour!

The paths are easy/ moderate for the most part, it is a popular tourist attraction in the area so it's been roped/railed off in certain places for the tours, and guides lead the groups through in turns. There are a few steep inclines and 1 section involving a somewhat steep and narrow stairway, which the guide forewarns of and gives those who aren't up for it for whatever reason a chance to sit that part out. The floor is slippery and the lighting is dim (being a cave, of course 😆)

That sounds fine with baby in a front pack. Thinking of the caves I've been in, yes, that would be fine with a baby. If it involved white water rafting and squeezing through holes, then no. But they more touristy ones like you describe? No problem.

I took DC2 aged approx 4months around Wookey Hole caves when we all went for a day out with other family members. He was strapped to my chest in a sling & as I'm mega short, there was only one place I had to duck. I wore sensible shoes 🤷🏼‍♀️ so if it was something like this attraction then I can't see the harm.

Presumably the other tourists weren't actually tumbling around like skittles, so there isn't really much falling risk. We live near a large park and would take the baby up and down hills in his sling, because it's normal to walk around. I would have walked more carefully with him in the sling, but when the ground is slippy adults tend to walk more carefully regardless. Dim lighting isn't a problem at 2mo, nor is stamina as the baby isn't made to walk.

What exactly is your concern? Could you describe what worried you?

Yes so long as they were securely in a carrier. They sleep all the time at that age - no harm just cracking on with life if you feel up to it. It doesn’t sound overly hazardous so long as you’re careful (which you would be automatically with a baby strapped to you).

I won’t as I’m not sure footed. But I would let my husband who loves these activities.

I see, thanks for your perspective, especially having been in caves yourself! It was definitely more on the touristy side of things. If anyone is curious about the specifics of the cave it was Meramac Caverns in Missouri, USA. Beautiful cave system! I just noticed that I found myself surprised to see such a young baby there and thought you lovely mumsnetters might have some interesting takes to share 😁 I always love to see the variety of opinions on here!

The baby did cry quite loudly quite a few times (as babies do!) and some people were very clearly annoyed (it did make it difficult to hear the tour guide). I thought it was kind of funny actually as I tend to find humor in non-ideal situations, just the fact that we were in the most echo-ey place you could possibly be at the time made it a little comical to me!

That would be annoying if you were anticipating glow worms. The noise would make them switch out their light.

The woman with the baby did have a front carrier on, but she was carrying the baby in a blanket in her arms, probably partly to soothe them. I wouldn't say I was "concerned" per se, just noticed a division in the attitudes of the group and wondered what MN would have to say 🙂

My husband and I took our baby through a cave in the Peak District (UK) when he was around 7 months old. The staff there assured us it would be fine, and it was. The path was smooth, steps had hand rails and any low ceilings had lights on. My only concern was how cold it was but baby was nice and snug in the baby carrier inside daddy’s jacket.

@GRex Oops, posted that last response a little too soon! I was going to say if anything, my "concern" would be for the woman & her partner as I'm sure they weren't thrilled about the crying either, and it could be tricky if the baby needed anything while we were in the deepest parts of the cave. So I did have sympathy for them personally, but others definitely did not!

With a standard tourist cave, I don’t see much difference to taking a baby in a carrier on any hike, wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Also just to say I'm sure the staff knows best and would intervene if they had a genuine safety concern

Also if anyone hails from Wales, enjoy this specialized sign on the clock wall of my hotel:

Blimey, when mine was 2months or 8 weeks old, I was lucky to get to the library for Baby Rhyme Time.

This Mum is a bloody hero.

Yes- I did lots of things like that.

Well, if it was allowed then yes of course. Why not?

I voted YABU. Not because it can’t be done, put baby in a baby bjorn or similar where it can’t swing like many swings if you have areas you need to climb over, squeeze through.

BUT if you set off, and they became unsettled and then proceeded to cry for the hour I would be super pissed off if I was the guide or someone else on the cave tour. If you are half way there and they start, it’s not a situation where you can step out and spare everyone. I’ve had babies/kids and sometimes they just cry but it’s not something everyone has to ‘share the joy’ in, and now mine are adults I get super annoyed at people who choose to inflict this on others. Places like buses, banks or supermarket queues I have no problems with if babies cry as it’s life and people still have to do mandatory things, but things like tours are very optional and entitled to inflict crying on others in that situation.

Absolutely not. It probably won't be allowed anyway.

If the baby needed something? What does a 2mo baby need other than its parents?! Were you worried the baby might be expecting an important phone call?

Of course it's fine for a mum to take her baby on a one hour walk. If you're annoyed about the crying, then just admit that.

I wouldn't walk me through a cave, let alone a baby.
Loving the clock!

In a carrier absolutely. It wouldn't occur to me not to. The only concern would be the risk of falling over, so I'd Google on advance how slippy/steep it is inside. What you've described sounds fine.