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Camino with Babies

S

sivan goren

New Member
Hi,
we have a 5.5 month old baby, and we're thinking of spending some of September in the Camino with him. He'll be sitting in a carrier so the walking part should be OK, but I am not sure about the possibilities for sleeping (we could sleep in the same bed with him) , if we have to choose a portion, which would be best, and generally if it's a good idea. We were looking for a route we could travel in with him, and the Camino seemed like a good option. If you have any other suggestions we would love to hear them!
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Hello Sivan, I watched a video series made by a couple with a still-nursing baby who did their camino during the winter. See here:
 
Hi, I don't know what to say, depends on you and the baby and the weather, I would definetely book accommodation ahead, I would personally be concerned about bed sharing as the beds will all be different, some may be smallish and some mattresses saggy, some not so pristine, you are likely to be more tired and sleep more deeply and I would worry about cot death risk, in NZ sharing a bed with babies is a total no no as it has been linked with cot death and the government is giving away free capsules to put babies into, so they have their own little bed and sleep on the same mattress as parents without the risk of the adult rolling onto them. Our 6 month old granddaughter is just about to crawl and has got very mobile and is a challenge to keep in one place, I could not imagine taking her on a walk like that, but then I am not you...I don't want to be scaremongering, but I don't really see the point at this young age....it is fun at a later stage, when they can walk with you a little bit. It will be interesting to have other peoples opinions.
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I watched that couple's videos as they walked (before doing our own St Jean - Pamplona with 12 year olds). It was fascinating but (i) they walked in January when they were quite often the only people in a room in the albergue (ii) I don't think I'd like to be (or to have my baby) sitting in a sling/carrier for 6 - 8 hours a day every day for a month.
 
Co-sleeping is a hot topic in the USA now. I was briefly part of a death review committee that examined the circumstances of three babies that had died from suffocation during co-sleeping during the four months I was on that committee, and I would not personally put my child in that kind of risky situation, especially if I had been walking all day while carrying the baby. Co-sleeping is routinely done in some cultures, but I have not seen statistics on the incidents of accidental deaths in those countries. I assume it happens fairly regularly. The anguish of that kind of accident is almost beyond comprehension.

Out of consideration for others in an albergue, I would be reluctant to have a five month old baby in the same room with others at night, unless I was very certain there was not going to be any crying in the middle of the night. A private hotel with one room for the family would solve that, of course.

Tom
 
I am all for people who want to instill a passion and respect for world travel and different cultures in their children. I would absolutely agree that having a 5 month old baby in communal sleeping areas of the alberques may be inconsiderate for other pilgrims who also have long days of travel ahead of them. I think arranging private rooms would be a win/win for all involved. Whether or not to take your baby on your adventure is completely your decision, but please remember to be respectful of others.
 
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I think this is a wonderful idea but if people sleeping in albergues object to snoring adults I can only imagine what their reaction would be to a crying baby...
 

There was a 6 month old baby, mom ,dad, mother in law that did the Camino this past June and July. They carried the essentials and had there packs shipped to there next destination. They only carried what they needed for the day walking. The baby was in one of those kid backpacks and the dad carried him. It had a sun cover and all and to be honest I never even saw the baby cry. I did see them quite a lot on the camino and also at the finish. Obvious they were not in a hurry and as far as I could tell it was a good experience by all. I wish I could give more detail. It seem to work for them and the baby was along for the ride. It can be done in a health and positive way. That is the way the Camino works. Problems/Solutions as Christian the Frenchman would say repeatedly.
 
We just completed the Camino from Ponferrada to SdC with our two year old- was an amazing journey. We stayed in private accommodations.
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
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