Thinking of hiring a canal boat for a week with 6/7/8 month old DS

[pelafina]

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Canal boats are lovely but can be hard work with only two adults. He'll be crawling around that age, won't he (memories are all very vague, sorry). Do you think you can keep an eye on him at all times while one of you is steering and one working the locks? Locks involve jumping off the boat - how is the steerer going to make sure ds is safe while controlling the boat?

I like canal holidays but think about it carefully, check the route out (make sure you there aren't locks every mile or any flights of locks) and aim to go not very far at all!

We went with a group of friends including an 18 month old when ds was 6 months . Easy tbh but then he would at that point stay put in a seat,and lots of adults to entertain and man locks. We took back packs and a buggy so could walk along or steer boat too.

We went again when he was 2, friends by then had dc's 3 and 9 months. 9 month old a bit more hassle as semi mobile and older ones needed more entertainment and supervision . 4 adults to 3 kids did work though.

I'd wait until your DS (or your youngest one if you have more) is about seven and able to help with the locks. You'd be happier on holiday in a place where there's somewhere your DS can play without too much stress - a boat is not that sort of place. I'd go for a cottage with an enclosed garden if I were you - could you hire a car, or arrange for a taxi from a station?

A play pen/ travel cot could be used to put dc in whilst you are busy running and getting the locks open. Just don't do the stair way to heaven in warwickshire - 21 locks in 2 miles ish oh my goodness what a lot of locks!!

Yeah easy peasy with baby. Do it as early as you can so he's at his least mobile.

strap him in car seat or buggy or highchair or anything really - you're moving and there's lots to see, so he should be happy enough.

I can breastfeed while steering the boat btw! [show-off]

We do have lifejackets for our kids, which they hate.

We did dd's first holiday on Norfolk Broads when she was 6 months. As ever, took too much stuff, but carefully selected boat with maximum floorspace so we could sit and play with her. We did it in June so weather mostly okay, though could be quite cool( and obviously damp) at night. Norfolk broads- no locks!

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