Punting with baby and toddler - yay or nay?

[StrangerintheNight]

Haven't been punting since pre-kids days of yore, but have some visitors coming soon who are keen to give it a go.
Does anyone know if small children allowed on, and even if they are, would I still be better off trying to make other arrangements for the DCs? Any experiences?

Don't know the rules but I wouldn't do it myself.

The last time I went we had a fully grown, middle aged man, who should know better, fall out of his punt, into ours whilst showing off, practically into my friends lap. I'm sure it was just a one off but people do enjoy a glass or 5 whilst on the river in my experience!

I wouldn't personally - not enjoyable at all - baby if not mobile and in a sling might be ok

As long as your toddler is reasonably obedient and you will have more adults than children then fine. I'd phone the hire place to see if they have kids life jackets though just to be on the safe side.

I took my DS punting when he was just 5 months old and had him in a baby bjorn carrier. I wasn't actually doing the punting, just a passenger btw!

I wouldn't dream of taking him now he is 3 and likely to jump out of the boat to get a good look at the ducks...

i would! Have taken my toddler but not since his sister was born i don't think. But i'd probably take both of them now if there was an adult per kid (they are 3 and nearly 2)
Didn't find he was particularly keen to throw himself over the edge to be honest but maybe he's a bit less adventurous than some toddlers.

The more I think of this the more I think it depends on the toddler.
Ds1 would have been fine. Ds2 would have been more trouble than it was worth :)

Could you go on the Riverboat Georgina instead?

Thanks for replies everyone. Might take very sensible DS1 but find someone to look after crazy baby, who's not yet crawling but would find some way of chucking himself overboard.
Can't find lifejacket info on website so will give them a ring tomorrow and try to choose a quiet time to lessen chance of drunken incidents!

I don't know whether the OP will see this, but anyway. If you're thinking about going next weekend it may be worth knowing that Sunday 17th is "Suicide Sunday", and the Cam is thus likely to contain quantities of astonishingly drunken undergraduates celebrating the fact that exams are over. They're not necessarily more dangerous in charge of a punt than the average tourist but likely to be substantially louder and less clad.

Actually I'd extend the "beware of Suicide Sunday" into all of the following week thanks to May Week/Garden Party mayhem.

Thanks for reminder. We've recently emigrated to the far distant lands of 'just outside Cambridge' and and had totally forgotten about May week, but now I can remember to appreciate the lack of fireworks disturbing the DCs. Oh dear, I'm becoming a grumpy old woman...

Whatabout punting down Grantchester Meadows instead of down the backs? Very pretty but a lot less busy and so less chance of some random falling into your punt!

I am sure I've seen children with lifejackets on the punts.

It will be fabulous unless the toddler is frightened in which case be prepared to abandon your plans.

There are life jackets for kids