Camino with a child buggy or carrier?

[cinimod]

I have been lurking on the forum for a while, and as everyone is so helpful, I would like to ask the following.

We were blessed with a new son last November, and we want to walk the Camino Frances over the next few years from SJPP - one or two weeks at a time, and aim to finish it sometime when he is between 6 and 8.

We do have a child carrier, but he is blossoming quickly and we are worried that by the end of May (when he will be over 6 months, so he can try food on the way) he will be too heave for us to carry - he is already approaching 9kg!

We do have a Britax b-smart offroad buggy, as we live in the country, but having seen some of the pictures I do not think we will be able to push / pull it along - and he would get rattled around a lot... OR can you recommend a section of about a week, only doing 50% to 75% of a 'standard' stage in a day, which is more buggy friendly? Or can you recommend a good comfortable carrier, for a child who will be around 9.5 to 10 kg?

In years to come when he will be able to walk a little more, we will probably bring a backpack carrier for him as well... This year we are going to stay in pensions/hostels too, to be considerate to those pilgrims who have had long days, so any recommendations to go along with the sections would be good.

Thank you in advance for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

 

[Kanga]

I think a buggy would be difficult because of the terrain.
Some of the pack manufacturers make very good hiking specific child carriers. They are designed for children up to about 3 so you should be able to find something comfortable.
I know they often come up second hand - people use them for a few years until children grow out of them. Try looking in the local online recycle groups or maybe even contact local hiking groups.
Karrimor carriers have been round for years but I'm sure there are many others.

 

[wayfarer]

In 2012 I saw a few couples walking with children in off road buggies so it is possible but it will be hard work in places. All of these I met on the trails rather than on the roads. If you are doing it one or two weeks at a time it won't be so bad.
Buen Camino.

 

[PANO]

The crossing of the Pyrenees, the ascent to the Alto del Perdón and the traversing of O'Cebreiro with a buggy would be very challenging.
Judgements and lecturing are inappropriate in this forum, but I dare to question the wisdom of exposing babies to the elements of weather, sanitary conditions and endurance; imposing the camino on a small, defenceless child seems selfish to me. Your write «We want to walk the CF!» Sounds to me that you have not yet started to include your small son's interests in the «We».
Pilgrims consciously undertake the camino as a spiritual journey, hardly something a small child is capable of.

 

[mspath]

Early November 2010 leaving Leon the wind was brutal and rain teemed. It was a long raw slog to the municipal albergue at Villadangos del Páramo.

Eventually three other pilgrims arrived to share the cold unheated albergue space; a French couple on bikes plus their two year old son who clad in a snowsuit rode in a enclosed little wagon pulled by his biking Daddy! Having been issued his own Credential, just like a grown-up, the toddler, too, was a bona fide pilgrim. The family had been traveling by bike throughout northern Europe including the wilds of Iceland for over one year and were vaguely headed towards north Africa after Santiago.

We all went to our bunks quite early to try to get warm or at least warmer! Luckily there were plenty of blankets available. However, I did dream enviously about that little boy's cozy snowsuit!

When your son is a toddler perhaps just such a wagon pulled by Daddy might be a solution; meanwhile be sure to check out these earlier Forum threads tagged with baby.

Margaret Meredith

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have been lurking on the forum for a while, and as everyone is so helpful, I would like to ask the following..

I've actually seen a number of babies on the Camino.
I'd buy a good quality hiking stroller.
I'd be sure it could be enclosed to protect the little guy from the wind and rain.
Here is a good article from REI:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/jogging-strollers.html

A lot of people like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DC9TAI/?tag=casaivar02-20

Next, I'd give yourself extra time because there are places you'll want to go more slowly.
And maybe on some of those, you can bus or taxi.
There's no law that says otherwise.

Buen Camino!

 

[danielc]

I have been lurking on the forum for a while, and as everyone is so helpful, I would like to ask the following.

We were blessed with a new son last November, and we want to walk the Camino Frances over the next few years from SJPP - one or two weeks at a time, and aim to finish it sometime when he is between 6 and 8.

We do have a child carrier, but he is blossoming quickly and we are worried that by the end of May (when he will be over 6 months, so he can try food on the way) he will be too heave for us to carry - he is already approaching 9kg!

We do have a Britax b-smart offroad buggy, as we live in the country, but having seen some of the pictures I do not think we will be able to push / pull it along - and he would get rattled around a lot... OR can you recommend a section of about a week, only doing 50% to 75% of a 'standard' stage in a day, which is more buggy friendly? Or can you recommend a good comfortable carrier, for a child who will be around 9.5 to 10 kg?

In years to come when he will be able to walk a little more, we will probably bring a backpack carrier for him as well... This year we are going to stay in pensions/hostels too, to be considerate to those pilgrims who have had long days, so any recommendations to go along with the sections would be good.

Thank you in advance for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

On the CF last Sept / Oct 2013 observed a young Spanish couple with their child about 2 years old. They seem to manage ok – they had a type of back carriage frame – it seem to work fine – they took turns carrying the child .

 

[jayree]

Here is a story from my 2012 CF ...

The four of us walked together to Logroño and I learned even more about people walking the Camino. Much earlier I had passed a woman with a baby pram but hadn't paid much attention thinking she was just out walking her baby. It didn't occur to me that we were miles from anywhere. Well, the woman is Maxi, a 32 year old mother from Germany who is walking the Camino with her 3 1/2 month son, Yanos. This I know because she, Yanos and 3 Frenchmen all stayed in the same room with David last night. David told us that Yanos pretty much sleeps all day and then is ready to party all night. Could he really be Spanish? Maxi constantly had to get up and take Yanos outside. Maxi told her husband who is still back home that she really wanted and needed to do something spiritual. He said,"if you want to go, just go," hopefully in a nice way. I really hope to meet Maxi before the trip ends.

I later heard that Maxi made it to Santiago, but I never saw her again. I suspect she was walking behind me, a little slower.

 

[CaminoJohn]

Here is an example from 2006.

 

[pbucilla]

Cinimod, there was a couple who did the Camino in the winter with their baby. They made a series of Youtube videos which you may find interesting.

 

[jmcarp]

In the documentary film "Six Ways to Santiago" http://caminodocumentary.org/, one of the pilgrims the film follows is a young French woman with a son who is 2 or 3 years old, and who pushes him in a baby buggy/stroller for the entire length of the CF.

 

[pattymo97206]

Cinimod, there was a couple who did the Camino in the winter with their baby. They made a series of Youtube videos which you may find interesting.

I’ve seen the entire series on YouTube. The couple made it all the way to Santiago with the child, a little boy named Indigo, I believe. The mom carried the child, who is about 6 months old in a child carrier in the front of her and the dad carried a really big backpack. The child had the sweetest disposition and a smile that could melt an iceberg!. Really interesting and entertaining series, especially when little Indigo smiled!

 

[susanawee]

The crossing of the Pyrenees, the ascent to the Alto del Perdón and the traversing of O'Cebreiro with a buggy would be very challenging.
Judgements and lecturing are inappropriate in this forum, but I dare to question the wisdom of exposing babies to the elements of weather, sanitary conditions and endurance; imposing the camino on a small, defenceless child seems selfish to me. Your write «We want to walk the CF!» Sounds to me that you have not yet started to include your small son's interests in the «We».
Pilgrims consciously undertake the camino as a spiritual journey, hardly something a small child is capable of.

Whilst I do agree with the first part of your post Pano, I certainly do not agree with the rest of it......Many people are walking and have walked the Camino with both babies and small children......Whether or not they choose to walk for spiritual or other reasons is immaterial.....the fact that they WANT to walk and that they WANT to include their children in their life decisions is what matters.....just saying....smiles.

 

[PANO]

Whilst I do agree with the first part of your post Pano, I certainly do not agree with the rest of it......Many people are walking and have walked the Camino with both babies and small children......Whether or not they choose to walk for spiritual or other reasons is immaterial.....the fact that they WANT to walk and that they WANT to include their children in their life decisions is what matters.....just saying....smiles.

Well, Susanawee, while I fully concur that walking on a sunny afternoon is particularly joyful for young families, we are talking of the 800km Camino-adventure here. So we have deferring opinions and leave it at that, it’s probably a generation-gap issue. It seems that current young parents put their interest first; when raising our four children, it was the other way around.

 

[susanawee]

Pano, by the look of your photo, we are obviously of the same generation. When my two were very tiny, we travelled a lot with them, on foot, by bus, by train, and by car. We camped in the wilderness with them, we travelled in the cities with them, until they reached school age....then, we all made travel decisions together. If I had known more about the Camino at that time, I most probably would have considered that as well. Having written this, I do agree with your statement that we have deferring opinions and agree to leave well alone. Smiles.

 

[StuartM]

I have a Deuter carrier. Very comfortable to wear. The big downside is that when my daughter was a baby she found it very uncomfortable to be in for more than a few minutes. When she started walking she wanted to come out all the time, get tired quickly, wanted to get back in for a few minutes then wanted to get out again. As she got older she got increasingly reluctant to get in it because she wanted to walk and explore so going at her pace... I never really seemed to be able to do any real distance with a carrier.

A robust buggy was a lot more practical. Real shame as (for me) the carrier was perfect. We have a Jane buggy (the Spanish pronunciation rather than the English) with fat offroad tyres, lots of insulation and a great rain cover with good vents and visibility. It was great though a bit heavy.

 

[cinimod]

Many thanks to everyone, including Pano, for your input, it is appreciated.
I think we are going to have to look at a back pack type solution, as the buggy's are all far too expensive for us.

We did watch some of the you tube videos with Indigo, it was enlightening.

@PANO, I would like to come back to you though - we are not going to do the whole Camino in one go, we are going to do it in short bursts, we are also planning on taking it easy and using Private hostels with double rooms wherever possible to make it less stressful for everyone.

I do wonder though what type of holiday could possibly offer more to a child in terms of being in touch with nature and exposed to a great cultural diversity of people from many backgrounds? Surely that is one of the most enriching things you can offer? At 6 months, he will be well aware of all of these things.

We are looking forward to sharing the joys of nature and interacting with people with our child, and not just immersing him in this ever increasingly detached electronic world we live in.

 

[StuartM]

I do wonder though what type of holiday could possibly offer more to a child in terms of being in touch with nature and exposed to a great cultural diversity of people from many backgrounds? Surely that is one of the most enriching things you can offer? At 6 months, he will be well aware of all of these things.

We are looking forward to sharing the joys of nature and interacting with people with our child, and not just immersing him in this ever increasingly detached electronic world we live in.

My daughter is 4, she was 2 when I walked the Camino and even though she was so young she was fascinated with stories of it when I returned. I bought her a painted rock in Rabanal which is one of her special treasures. Spain has become a magic land in her head. She loves nature and being outside and I have often thought how much she would have loved to have been there. I am very envious of your ambition and wish you well. I dream of walking the Camino with my daughter some day.

My ex-brother-in-law is 21 and never really been further than the local city on his own, I live in a fairly rural area and like most people round here he has a very small minded attitude. One thing I've tried to instill in my daughter is a bit of a wanderlust and an appreciation of a wider world out there. Travel has to be one of the best educations there is. If, when she is 18, she says to me that she wants to spend 4 years hoboing around the world rather than university then she gets my full support. Start them early, teach them there is more to life than exam results, celebrities and stupid xenophobic newspaper headlines!

 

[lynnejohn]

@StuartM - Be careful what you wish for! We traveled with our kids all the time, lived in Europe for a year when they were teenagers, and now they can't stay put! You are right on about all the benefits of instilling wanderlust...

 

[PANO]

@ Cinimod: Thanks for responding to my critical views so gallantly. Your good intentions are absolutely not put to question, but allow me to maintain my reservations toward taking along a 6-months-old toddler on the camino. At this age, he is not capable of grasping what is happening and he will not remember it neither. It is YOU wanting to do the camino and from what I understand, it will be your first time. My advise would be that you get the experience first by yourself, allowing to make a responsible judgement.
You will be able to test your own endurance, which will double with the extra weight; you will experience the challenges of the terrain, the endless flats of the Meseta, the weather and temperatures. Get a taste of spending nights in albergues, perhaps, - god forbid-, even endure a bug-attack!
When it comes to it, none of those voicing their encouragement's on this thread will actually share your responsibility. Give your son a chance to grow a bit older so that he is able to experience and enjoy the adventure. This btw will also be appreciated by other peregrinos (unless you plan to stay in private accommodations, of course)
But whatever you finally decide and do, may you have a wonderful Camino!
My best wishes.

 

[marjm007]

I think you are doing a good job with your homework. The fact that you are doing this in short bursts is great. You will be able to learn as you go along. Buen Camino to you and your child.

 

[Laliibeans]

We went to New Zealand when my little sister was only 6 months old and she remembers absolutely nothing of it. While my sister and I (4 and 6 respectively when we went) share our wonderful memories of that trip with each other and go back through our photos she feels like she wasn't a part of it, despite being in the photos (I think that makes it worse for her). She has been through a very long mental illness and our Camino (mum, me, big sister, and oldest niece) will mark 10 years from when she first became ill while overseas with me. So one thing to consider (apart from others walking) is that for you it will be a great memory, but is it worth the expense for something he won't even remember? Why not start with camping closer to home and wait until he's 3-4 to go on this journey together? You will be able to engage more and communicate with each other more plus he'll be a bit more experienced with roughing it outdoors for long periods. Removing the extra weight of nappies, bottles, etc alone would be worth it.

 

[SYates]

First of all, be very careful with the weather, heat and / or cold can put an enormous strain on such a small body! You also write:

... I do wonder though what type of holiday could possibly offer more to a child in terms of being in touch with nature and exposed to a great cultural diversity of people from many backgrounds? Surely that is one of the most enriching things you can offer? At 6 months, he will be well aware of all of these things. ...

No, sorry, he won't be aware of "cultural diversity" at an age of 6 months, but he will be aware of feeling safe, well fed (with the food he is used to) and having a stable routine. Really, please, make sure you cater to HIS needs first and then to your own.

SY

 

[CISSA69]

I have met many families on the Camino and it is always a joy to behold.

Talk to couples with children who have walked eith kids of different ages as the needs of a baby will differ to a toddler.

I met one familly who always camped as it gave their 2 year old familarity in s world of constant change. The found that they walked the furthest while the 2 year old was asleep, after which they had to work around her needs, thus the benefit of the tent. their 6 month olf baby was easier to walk big fistances with.

Make sure that your travel and health insurance covers your planned trip.

Consider bring able to pull as well as push the trolley.

Consider buying a steel framed buggy as easy to repair in a farmers workshop. Aluminium is lighter but maybe not as strong/robust and only specialists can weld it. There is a dirt cheap buggy from China called the "Confidence baby stroler" for £70.00. which csn accomodste the Charriot brand "Hiking Kit" www.chariotcarriers.com for £80 Have an additional bike type bracket welded and holes drilled to take the second chsrriot hiking arm or attach the arms using brackets, such as the ones used for securing TV ariels to a building. Consider strengthening the axel with soft rubber tubing (milking machine pipining would be ideal) and then cover them both with a tublar bar to provide additional proctection and axel suspension!!! Strengthen the buggy with aluminium bars like you would with a rally car with roll protection..... maybe have a rope cable attached to the pusher/puller so that the trolley cannot run away, put a wedge under the back wheels when stopped.

A colapsesable picnic table is a great source of tutubular bar and roll cage material. Eg In the UK, Blacks outdoor shop fo a great collapseable table.

Use a cardboard bike box to transport the disassembled carrier on a plane with all the bits and bobs.

mail me off line for photos.

buen camino

 

[cinimod]

First of all, be very careful with the weather, heat and / or cold can put an enormous strain on such a small body! You also write:
No, sorry, he won't be aware of "cultural diversity" at an age of 6 months, but he will be aware of feeling safe, well fed (with the food he is used to) and having a stable routine. Really, please, make sure you cater to HIS needs first and then to your own.

@SYates - Hello - we have your book, which made for an interesting read, thank you.
Firstly, our child is a great gift and we would not do anything to endanger him, but at the same time, we wish to expose him to the world from an early age.

As I have said, a couple of times now - we are looking to stay in private hostels, for both his sake, and our and the other pilgrims.

We will be taking it relatively easy - we are not going to be trying to sprint the length of the Camino, we are looking at doing this in short bursts over a period of years and if it really is too foul outside, we will have the flexibility to take a day off.

He will have his mother with him, and thus food on tap whenever he wants - but as he will be starting on solids (following baby-led-weaning) he will have a relaxed environment.
From 3 months, he has been very much aware of the people around him, and enjoys meeting new people and remembers those he has met and liked previously - his facial expressions and
behaviour more than back this up.

Regards routine - there is no reason why you can not have one on the Camino - certainly, a routine will make it better for all of us.

Your opinion is totally valid, even if it not particularly constructive, but thank you again for your helpful book.

 

[cinimod]

@CISSA69 - Thank you so much for a very helpful post - we are considering that type of chariot, unfortunately CharriotCarriers are now owned by Thule and very very expensive.
We have found alternatives on Amazon, like your suggested 'Confidence' one.

We are considering packing up most of our luggage and shipping it out to SJPdP then we can get a cheap flight out - the alternative is to fly with a main airline, who have a better luggage allowance.

One other question we do wonder is, do Taxi's have children seats? We are wondering about getting from the airport to the train station at back at the other end!

 

[CISSA69]

Hi Cinimod, no idea about taxis .... regards Chariot, just buy the hiking bars for £80 and attach them to another carrier such as the confidence carrier.

 

[tpmchugh]

I met a Scot last September pushing a twin buggy. The twins were about 3 year old. I dont know where he started but I met him on the trail out of Carrion and I left him in Sahagun. The trails there are pretty good but if I remember correctly, he mentioned being on the road for three weeks. He had arranged taxis and hire cars to take him to hostals/hotels at night and then back to where he stopped each day. As he rightly pointed out, albergues are no place for young children. It was working for him but it was quite expensive. As to the twins, the boy was shy but the girl was a lovely, lively child but neither seemed to be suffering any ill affects from the heat and dust. Hope that helps a little

 

[cinimod]

Many thanks to everyone... we have decided to make the trip in late August or September, when he will be about 10/11 months... how is the weather on the first leg from StJPdP ?

We are thinking of flying in to Biaritz, but not sure where we would fly back from as still working out if we have enough time to get to Logroño, or only to Pamplona - we are thinking if we had 10 days to 2 weeks, we should make Logrono and be able to fly from their to Madrid, then back to the UK - does this make sense?

Very excited about it - we have ordered our baby carrier today, decided on a backpack rather than a chariot in the end, as we feel we will get much more use from it.

 

[cinimod]

The planning is serious now... the time is booked off work and we have even bought a portable cot/tent type thing...


However, I have just tried to find a train from Biarritz to StJPdP and it s not appear to be there - all the searches are coming up with a short train journey and the rest by bus.
I thought there was a train from Bayonne to StJPdP or is this not running at the end of August?

Our Joshua is crawling now and showing every sign that he wants to get up and do more, so really hoping he will be able to walk a little bit of the Camino as he will then be 9.5 months...

Any ideas on travel from Biarritz to StJPdP with the little man is greatly appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

[susanawee]

Any ideas on travel from Biarritz to StJPdP with the little man is greatly appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you.[/QUOTE]

When I reached Bayonne in April this year, the train was not running at all.....I think maybe it has been permanently replaced by a bus, though not sure.....You can buy your ticket at the station and the bus leaves from the station forecourt area....Buen Camino and I am sure that you will have a wonderful journey with your little fellow.

 

[shefollowsshells]

@StuartM - Be careful what you wish for! We traveled with our kids all the time, lived in Europe for a year when they were teenagers, and now they can't stay put! You are right on about all the benefits of instilling wanderlust...

So beautifully said!!!!
That is what happened to me...parents took us everywhere as children (American who lived in europe for 7 years thanks to the military and parents who asked to extend assignments).
I can't sit still...always planning and taking extensive vacations.

 

[cinimod]

Many thanks, looks like it is running half way now, and half is the bus... thinking we may try to find a direct transfer...

 

[cinimod]

We have ended up getting a direct transfer from Biarritz airport to SJPdP..

 

[kikimtz]

Take both and when u don't need one, send it on. My daughter and I are

I have been lurking on the forum for a while, and as everyone is so helpful, I would like to ask the following.

We were blessed with a new son last November, and we want to walk the Camino Frances over the next few years from SJPP - one or two weeks at a time, and aim to finish it sometime when he is between 6 and 8.

We do have a child carrier, but he is blossoming quickly and we are worried that by the end of May (when he will be over 6 months, so he can try food on the way) he will be too heave for us to carry - he is already approaching 9kg!

We do have a Britax b-smart offroad buggy, as we live in the country, but having seen some of the pictures I do not think we will be able to push / pull it along - and he would get rattled around a lot... OR can you recommend a section of about a week, only doing 50% to 75% of a 'standard' stage in a day, which is more buggy friendly? Or can you recommend a good comfortable carrier, for a child who will be around 9.5 to 10 kg?

In years to come when he will be able to walk a little more, we will probably bring a backpack carrier for him as well... This year we are going to stay in pensions/hostels too, to be considerate to those pilgrims who have had long days, so any recommendations to go along with the sections would be good.

Thank you in advance for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

walking

 

[Annette Brown]

You can try out for hugabub baby carrier as it is made of highly certified organic interlock cotton. For more details visit website.

 

[Dennis D]

By now you have done your walk. How about sending an update and your comments and suggestions for those considering the same action that you took? Or more simply said, "How was your trip?" Would you do it again? What would you change? How is your baby? etc.......

 

[vgen5122]

I have been lurking on the forum for a while, and as everyone is so helpful, I would like to ask the following.

We were blessed with a new son last November, and we want to walk the Camino Frances over the next few years from SJPP - one or two weeks at a time, and aim to finish it sometime when he is between 6 and 8.

We do have a child carrier, but he is blossoming quickly and we are worried that by the end of May (when he will be over 6 months, so he can try food on the way) he will be too heave for us to carry - he is already approaching 9kg!

We do have a Britax b-smart offroad buggy, as we live in the country, but having seen some of the pictures I do not think we will be able to push / pull it along - and he would get rattled around a lot... OR can you recommend a section of about a week, only doing 50% to 75% of a 'standard' stage in a day, which is more buggy friendly? Or can you recommend a good comfortable carrier, for a child who will be around 9.5 to 10 kg?

In years to come when he will be able to walk a little more, we will probably bring a backpack carrier for him as well... This year we are going to stay in pensions/hostels too, to be considerate to those pilgrims who have had long days, so any recommendations to go along with the sections would be good.

Thank you in advance for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

Last year I saw an Australian woman wheeling her six month old son on the Camino. I believe she had to stick to the black top a lot. The trails are very rocky and in spots narrow. I am not saying don't do it. What I am saying is that it will be difficult. Good luck in working it out.

 

[waveprof]

I have been lurking on the forum for a while, and as everyone is so helpful, I would like to ask the following.

We were blessed with a new son last November, and we want to walk the Camino Frances over the next few years from SJPP - one or two weeks at a time, and aim to finish it sometime when he is between 6 and 8.

We do have a child carrier, but he is blossoming quickly and we are worried that by the end of May (when he will be over 6 months, so he can try food on the way) he will be too heave for us to carry - he is already approaching 9kg!

We do have a Britax b-smart offroad buggy, as we live in the country, but having seen some of the pictures I do not think we will be able to push / pull it along - and he would get rattled around a lot... OR can you recommend a section of about a week, only doing 50% to 75% of a 'standard' stage in a day, which is more buggy friendly? Or can you recommend a good comfortable carrier, for a child who will be around 9.5 to 10 kg?

In years to come when he will be able to walk a little more, we will probably bring a backpack carrier for him as well... This year we are going to stay in pensions/hostels too, to be considerate to those pilgrims who have had long days, so any recommendations to go along with the sections would be good.

Thank you in advance for your time and help, it is much appreciated.

Carrier for sure. Don't take a chariot.
Check out our blog http://elpequenoperegrino.blogspot.com/ for advice on doing it with a baby

We did the entire thing a year ago with a 14 month old

 

[cinimod]

Many thanks for your posts - this is just a quick reply as we are still catching up with ourselves, and writing up a diary for Joshua when he is older.

@Dennis D - The trip was excellent, would definitely do it again (with changes) , Joshua is fine, wonderful and has many new friends and has been blessed many times over.

@vgen5122 - Indeed it was not easy - day 2, Valcarlos to Roncesvalles using the forest paths (narrow, steep, steps, fallen trees, in the clouds) was particularly trying - but a great adventure.

@waveprof - We went with a buggy - a really good 3 wheeler (a 4 wheeler would be no good) with 16" wheels - anything smaller would not have worked.
We only got it a couple of days before we left when we realised Joshua had topped 11kg, and with the backpack and everything else to carry I would not have managed, and had anything happened to me, my wife would have had trouble going for help, so a proper off road buggy we had.

Will post more when the chance arises, but it may be a while.

 

[cinimod]

 

[Dennis D]

Thanks for the update. I am happy to learn that you are having a Buen Camino.

 

[cinimod]

Thanks for the update. I am happy to learn that you are having a Buen Camino.

We did have a great time, we went as far as Pamplona, then decided it was too hot with too little shade for the little man, so got a bus and headed off to a few other places.
We will be back to do more, once Josh is on his feet and able to walk a bit on his own... we had hoped to have given him more crawling time along the route, but finding somewhere which is not strewn with toilet paper seemed very challenging!

 

[Dennis D]

We did have a great time, we went as far as Pamplona, then decided it was too hot with too little shade for the little man, so got a bus and headed off to a few other places.
We will be back to do more, once Josh is on his feet and able to walk a bit on his own... we had hoped to have given him more crawling time along the route, but finding somewhere which is not strewn with toilet paper seemed very challenging!

Thanks for the update. It sounds like you made a wise decision. The Camino will be there when you and the rest of your family are ready to continue. I worry about young infants on the Camino. I noticed a young one in a backpack and his head was bobbing with every step his dad took. I was worried about brain damage.

Re: Toilet paper: I don't get it either. That childish attitude, "They did it too!" It doesn't work for me. There are light weight opaque bags that are easy to use.

 

[cinimod]

What was especially upsetting is when it was within 100m of a village with a perfectly good bar or other place with facilities!

Maybe there needs to be some 'green' toilets along the way - a different kind of Compostella...

Sounds like the little one was possibly not set at the right height in the pack, may get a crick in his neck, but unless you drop them out they are unlikely to get brain damage fortunately.

Regards taking a small child our advice would be - either go before they can crawl, and are happy to be in a sling or front carrier snuggled up all the time, or go once they can walk a bit, and communicate basic needs too (good reason to do baby signs if you want to be able to communicate sooner!) - if you go when your child wants to crawl, and can not tell you much about how they are feeling, you can do it, but it is a bit more challenging for everyone

 

[cinimod]

 

[waveprof]

Sounds like the little one was possibly not set at the right height in the pack, may get a crick in his neck, but unless you drop them out they are unlikely to get brain damage fortunately.

This

Regards taking a small child our advice would be - either go before they can crawl, and are happy to be in a sling or front carrier snuggled up all the time, or go once they can walk a bit, and communicate basic needs too (good reason to do baby signs if you want to be able to communicate sooner!) - if you go when your child wants to crawl, and can not tell you much about how they are feeling, you can do it, but it is a bit more challenging for everyone

Agreed. We took ours at 14 months (so crawling, almost walking) but he had been trained to be really happy in the pack from a young age (it was, and remained for a long time, his "happy" spot). I think it works best when they are young enough to be happy not to be on the move for a couple of hours at a time or old enough to walk it themselves. And on the younger side, it really depends on the baby and their personality. I wouldn't do it with most babies. But with our little guy's personality it was the best decision we ever made. But we won't try it again until he is 8, 9, 10, 11 (or older if need be)....whatever age he's ready to walk it (b

 

[Corinne Marcello]

There is a different types of baby carrier for different age of babies. I think before buying anything you should to little bit research about baby carrier. For more information you can view website.

 

[waveprof]

There is a different types of baby carrier for different age of babies. I think before buying anything you should to little bit research about baby carrier. For more information you can view website.

Not a little research, a lot. It's even more variance than in regular camino packs (which is saying something) and meanwhile the variance is even more important (given the cargo). You also should do a lot of training with the baby in the pack, one so you get used to carrying them and two so they get used to being in it. You can't start out the camino and hope the child is happy in it for hours at a time. You also need to practice your balance, falling while carrying the baby was the biggest fear of both my wife and my mother (the two who carried them). Slippery footing, bad foot placement, etc It really helped that they were used to carrying a heavy (and moving) backpack long before they stepped out on the Camino.

 

[Lylahs parents]

Well, Susanawee, while I fully concur that walking on a sunny afternoon is particularly joyful for young families, we are talking of the 800km Camino-adventure here. So we have deferring opinions and leave it at that, it’s probably a generation-gap issue. It seems that current young parents put their interest first; when raising our four children, it was the other way around.

It’s not in one stint is it ? You contradict your self by being judgemental, and sounding stuffy and pompous , not very helpful , it’s just a long walk in lots if short sections

 

[Lylahs parents]

@ Cinimod: Thanks for responding to my critical views so gallantly. Your good intentions are absolutely not put to question, but allow me to maintain my reservations toward taking along a 6-months-old toddler on the camino. At this age, he is not capable of grasping what is happening and he will not remember it neither. It is YOU wanting to do the camino and from what I understand, it will be your first time. My advise would be that you get the experience first by yourself, allowing to make a responsible judgement.
You will be able to test your own endurance, which will double with the extra weight; you will experience the challenges of the terrain, the endless flats of the Meseta, the weather and temperatures. Get a taste of spending nights in albergues, perhaps, - god forbid-, even endure a bug-attack!
When it comes to it, none of those voicing their encouragement's on this thread will actually share your responsibility. Give your son a chance to grow a bit older so that he is able to experience and enjoy the adventure. This btw will also be appreciated by other peregrinos (unless you plan to stay in private accommodations, of course)
But whatever you finally decide and do, may you have a wonderful Camino!
My best wishes.

You obs just had your opinion and don’t read , they said short bursts and private accommodation , we will be doing the same, so as not to disturb other walkers and not to tire the little one , no biggy justa a walk with a buggy , in stages

 

[VNwalking]

You obs just had your opinion and don’t read

Ummm... You're reacting to a post from 2014, from someone who's not even a member and probably won't ever see your reply.

 

[Lylahs parents]

Ummm... You're reacting to a post from 2014, from someone who's not even a member and probably won't ever see your reply.

You never know ? You did !
He needs to with that attitude ,
6 am in the morning no glasses planning my walk and yes with baby

 

[VNwalking]

You never know ? You did !

Indeed.
All I meant was that Pano isn't around to see it, and because of that you're basically shouting into a void. That said, bumping a thread is not necessarily a bad thing, because many newer members will not have seen the OP before.

we will be doing the same, so as not to disturb other walkers and not to tire the little one , no biggy justa a walk with a buggy , in stages

Buen camino!