A zip off changing bag for once you are on the plane.
We started this website with the idea of recording our trip along the Great Glen Way so that others could benefit from our experiences. We struggled to find much information about walking with a baby, and are aiming to help and encourage others thinking of walking both short and long distances with their children. We aim to update the site based on our continuing experiences as our daughter grows older, and using your contributions. We have no professional qualifications, and would recommend that you contact an expert if in any doubt. Our health visitor proved very useful.
In order to book the accommodation we had to estimate how far you can walk each day with a 6 month old. There wasn't much information out there and we had to rely on trial and error. We had the advantage that there is a bus service along the route so we knew we could shorten the walk if necessary, using either the bus or taxis.
We found that we needed to synchronise our day to Emily's. So started with breakfast and a playtime, finally getting going once she was ready for her first sleep at 10am. She then slept happily as we walked, waking up at about 11 and then going back to sleep. She then woke again about 12:30 for lunch at which time we set up a tent to feed and change her. After another hour or so of play she was ready to go back to sleep, and we repeated the cycle getting to the B&B around 4 in time for another feed. This limited us to 5 hours of walking each day, giving between 8 and 13 miles depending upon the terrain, with the tow path sections giving the longest distances. It is worth noting that Emily's schedule has changed considerably as she has got older, and a few months later she is now reluctant to sleep during the day, but still enjoys being in the carrier.
Luckily all the accommodation that we booked had one very important feature – a lounge. The alternative, which we hadn't considered was that we would have to go to bed a 7pm. So baby monitor in hand we could relax in the evenings.
Other things that needed arranging included the flights, and nowhere could we find any guidance as to whether the airline would charge us an extra bag fee for our daughter's carrier. We emailed EasyJet and got a prompt if cryptic reply. We turned up anyway and it turned out that the carrier came into the same category as pushchairs and so would not be charged for. It is well worth checking with your airline as I imagine policies vary considerably.
Our experience is that boxes of milk powder do not travel well, and it is better to decant the powder in to smaller more impact resistant food boxes. Remember several 20kg bags may well be dropped onto your suitcase, so pack accordingly.
Our internet research came up with the Bushbaby as the top carrier, but the LittleLife and Macpac carriers also seemed popular. We went for the Bushbaby Elite, and have been very happy with it so far. We have met happy owners of all three of the above carriers, and unhappy owners of one of the other brands. Things to look out for are:
A
zip off changing bag for once you are on the plane.
A rain cover with clear windows to keep the wind off.
A roof and mesh screens to keep the wind off.
A head cushion at the front.
You will find that putting on or taking off an extra layer is not something to be undertaken lightly as it will probably wake up your sleeping passenger. You will also be generating plenty of heat carrying the extra weight, and will find it gets quite cold before you need more than a base layer. I found that a hat, gloves and a buff gave a lot of extra warmth when needed, and could all be put on without taking the carrier off. A long sleeved baggy cycling shirt which is wind resistant but highly breathable has also proved very useful.
For stops you will really need a small tent, as you may be there some time, and nappy changes are best done somewhere warm and out of the wind. We used a Shelta pop-up beach tent that could be strapped to the side of a rucksack together with a small groundsheet. This kept the wind off, provided good ventilation on sunny days, and only took a minute or so to put up and to pack. The downside of a beach tent is that they are not designed for more than light drizzle.
Rain
and cold weather clothing is available for children, and we have been
very happy with our Bushbaby rainsuits, both normal and fleece lined.
We also bought a Columbia down suit, just in case, but have never had
cause to use it.
For feeding we have a flask with a large cup that can be used as a bottle/food warmer.
We carried a small bag of toys with us, for a lunchtime play, and now attach a few more to the carrier straps for playing en route. Those with longer hair will find it provides an excellent plaything.
We
first used a Samsonite travel cot, and after that became too small
now use a Deryan pop-up cot. This is sold in the UK as the Nscessity
UV travel centre, and features a self inflating base mattress and
washable inner mattress. Most importantly Emily seems to like it.
eBay proved a useful source for some of our equipment, but be careful as some items are similarly priced or even cheaper new. The Bushbaby carrier and clothing was only a few percent more expensive in our local baby shop.
We haven't tried it, but cannot imagine that walking in heavy rain for any distance with a child is anything other than miserable. Full rain covers with taped seams are available for the various carriers, but your little one will get wet when you take them out for a nappy change, and you will need a waterproof tent for stops.
We have tried walking in the sun and very nice it is too. A carrier with a roof and sun screens will prove useful here, and if it is windy then you may well need a rain cover. A sun tent will also be useful for stops. The general advice about keeping in the shade, especially around midday, and using sunscreen does of course apply.