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Who doesn’t love boating?!
When the weather is nice people flock to the water. You used to always go swim at the lake…but now you have a baby. Can you still manage it? Is it too much work? Will your baby have a good time or be a complete mess?
There are many things to consider when taking your little one out on a boat. Some of those considerations are specific to the boat, such as how loud the engine will be, and others are specific to your baby such as how flexible there are with nap time.
Depending on your level of adventure and the age of your baby you can do this. You just have to go into it being both flexible and prepared.
The Boat
The first thing you need to know is what boat you will be out on. Is it your boat? Are you boating with a friend, or maybe renting one from the marina? You need to know some details about the boat you intend to take your baby on.
An important question is does this boat have a canopy? If the answer is no then you need a solution for keeping your baby out of the sun. People are always getting sunburned after a day of boating. You don’t realize just how much sun you are getting out on the water.
Yes, you can use sunscreen and sun hats, but they aren’t going to cut it for a full day out on the boat. A canopy is a must-have in my book.
How big is the engine on this boat? This question is two-fold. Firstly, I want to know how big the engine is because I want to know how fast we could potentially be traveling. The second part relates to how noisy it will be for the baby. Will it be too much for their little ears?
And finally what type of floor plan does the boat have? Is there a flat open space for your baby to get some floor time? Is it tight quarters and your baby gear isn’t going to fit?
These are the things to keep in mind before stepping foot on the boat. Know this information in advance to decide if you think your baby can handle the environment.
Others on the Boat
What kind of day is this going to be and who else will be on the boat?
Are you planning to go with a bunch of 15 years old that want to spend the day tubing and wakeboarding? This means a lot of stopping and starting and major swings in speed. Tubing can lead to rough driving as well.
Speaking of driving, who is driving the boat? Is it you or your spouse? Are you going with friends that you trust to drive a boat carrying your baby? Always make sure whoever is driving the boat has not been drinking.
Is this a party boat or a leisurely trip with the grandparents? These things matter. You need a vibe that your baby can handle, otherwise, it is best to leave them at home with a sitter.
Mobility/Space
How mobile is your baby? Are they rolling, crawling, cruising, walking, or climbing? Different levels of mobility will result in varying levels of safety. A baby that can barely roll is much safer on a boat than a young walker and climber.
Is there space on the boat for them to realistically be happy? Will they be stuck on your lap and miserable?
Evaluate the space and look for weak points your child will find. See if the railings are solid. Test how easy it is to open the railing doors.
There are certain ages and certain babies that probably should not be on a boat. If they are a fearless climber that hates when you hold them, I doubt you will enjoy your day out on the water.
Feedings
Feedings aren’t rocket science. You just need to come prepared.
If your baby takes a bottle have water pre-measured in the bottle and formula prepared to add in later. You could set the bottle of water out in the sun to warm up a bit before adding in the formula.
If your baby is breastfed then momma make sure you stay hydrated! Take extra water for yourself.
Make sure you keep your baby hydrated if it is warm weather. If they are not yet to the age of using a sippy cup they may need feedings closer together than normal. For babies that can use a sippy cup offer it frequently.
If your baby is eating solid food consider taking easy snacks and meals. Cut-up green grapes are a lot cleaner than raspberries for example. Think about foods that won’t go bad in the heat, such as crackers. You can also throw their food in a cooler too. Deli meat travels well and is easy to feed a little one on the go. If possible I would skip on purees. If finger food is age-appropriate shoot for that.
Find opportune times for feedings. When you first get into the boat your baby is going to be interested in checking out the boat, looking around, and taking in all the new sounds. They are not going to be focused on eating. Wait until you have been out for a little while and are idling around or have anchored down.
Napping
Depending on what your baby is used to doing for nap time this may be the biggest challenge of a day boating. If your baby is still very young and can fall asleep anywhere you will be just fine. If your baby is older you may or may not get them to nap.
My first tip is to bring a small travel crib if you have one and if it could fit on the boat. I don’t mean the standard-sized pack’n’play, something smaller. The next best option is to wear your baby in a carrier. The rocking of the boat may put them to sleep easier than you imagined. I used the Moby Wrap to lull our baby to sleep.
Consider timing your baby’s nap right after a feeding. This may not be your normal routine, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices to do fun things like this. A full baby is often a sleepy baby.
What worked great for me was breastfeeding with a cover while sitting in the back of the boat. My baby went from eating to sleeping with the lull of the engine beneath us. Keeping the cover partially over the baby helped block both the sun and wind from getting them. Holding my baby through a nap is not part of our routine, but it was important that she got a nap.
A nursing cover will work better than trying to cover up with a swaddle blanket if the boat is in motion. The blanket would flop around too much, but the nursing cover goes around the neck and better stays in place.
Always make sure though that you are not overheating your baby. They still need to get plenty of airflow. During nursing or bottle feedings consider at least slowly cruising around. If you are completely stopped you and your baby will likely get quite warm.
The engine mimics white noise. The motion imitates rocking.
Use what you have to work with momma. Use it to your advantage.
Diaper Changes
Your baby is going to need diaper changes on the boat. No biggie. Just pack your normal stuff. Diapers, wipes, and a bag or two for dirty diapers.
Because you are on a boat, I would consider storing the dry diapers in a water-safe bag. Once diapers get wet they are ruined because the water fills and puffs them up. I mean that is their job.
Consider packing a couple of extra diapers from what is normal for your baby. While your baby is wearing their diaper there is a chance of it getting more wet than usual. This is due to the fact everything starts getting wet in the boat after a while with passengers getting in and out of the water. Diaper changes may happen more frequently than normal.
Better safe than sorry and take a few extras.
If you plan to have your baby in the water at any point, remember to bring water diapers.
Boat Specific Items
The weather can be very fickle while out on the water. The mornings and evening can feel quite cool, while the peak of the day can be hotter than Hades.
First, start by checking the weather for the day to get ideas on what to pack for your baby. This will give you a general guide and starting point.
I would suggest they start the day in a lightweight outfit that is made up of pants and long sleeves. This will keep them both protected from the sun and the cool morning breeze. It is likely when you first getting going for the day you will be doing some cruising. If you are sitting in the shade and the boat is moving fairly quickly your baby will be cold.
As the day gets warmer change them into a lighter outfit of shorts and short sleeves if it is hot. If you can keep them in long sleeves, something lose and light weight that would be ideal in keeping the sun off them. If you do decide to put them in a short sleeve top make sure it keeps their neck and shoulders covered.
Then in the evening, you may need to switch back to a warmer outfit. When the temperature drops you feel it quickly.
You can also achieve this by bringing various layers. Blankets and jackets are easy options.
Just remember the temperature can vary greatly on the water. Pack accordingly for your baby.
Another important thing to consider is sun protection.
If the boat has a canopy your baby should spend the majority of their time under it. How many times have you been out boating only to realize the next day just how burnt you are? Don’t do this to your little one!
If the sun is out they shouldn’t be for more than a few minutes at a time. It is easy to lose track of time out on the water. There isn’t a clock handy and your phone is packed away. You are just chilling. Before you know it your baby has been in the sun for 30 minutes and that’s just part of your day.
On top of using the canopy, I recommend applying sunscreen and keeping a sun hat on them. Even under the canopy, they can get sun. Hello, the sun goes up and down. It can sneak through and get your little one.
Find a sunscreen safe to use on your baby and apply it as often as recommended. I realize there are age requirements and recommendations for use of sunscreen. This is a choice you make based on what you think is best for your baby.
Safety
Safety is the number one concern for a day out boating. Are you taking an infant, crawler, cruiser, walker, or climber? The physical ability of your baby greatly impacts your ability to keep them safe.
Every state has its own specific rules for lifejacket safety and when they must be worn while on a boat. Varying factors such as if the boat is in motion or if you are in a cabin or indoor area impact the lifejacket rules. Please read the rules and regulations for your specific area.
The lifejacket itself should meet the safety requirements of your area. A general standard is to go for life jackets that are US Coast Guard approved. These will typically include features like head support or headrest as well as a strap between the legs. Another recommendation is to buy a bright-colored lifejacket. If the worst were to happen and the baby ended up overboard you would want them to be extremely visible in their lifejacket.
The idea of a baby falling into a lake is any parent’s nightmare. This isn’t like a pool where you can easily jump in and locate your baby. In a lake, they are just gone. Keep them in a proper lifejacket or skip the day at the lake.
Consider taking your baby out for a swim in a beach-like area. Somewhere that isn’t 20 feet deep with murky water.
Just think about general pool safety and how serious it should be taken. Now consider the lack of visibility and depth of a lake. Not to mention the speed of not only the boat you are on but the other boats traveling on the lake.
If you are unsure of how your baby will respond to wearing the lifejacket practice doing so at a pool. Heck, you could even practice wearing it around the house.
Back to the boat! While you are out boating you need to establish a system for who is in charge of the baby. This person should have their hand or hands on the baby at all times. This is particularly important if for whatever reason they are out of their lifejacket.
Also do not ever rely on someone to ‘keep an eye’ on your baby. If you must pass off the responsibility to another adult you need to look them in the eyes and make it clear that they are in charge of our baby and that they are not to pass them off to someone else.
This is something you should discuss with your spouse ahead of time. Maybe you are ok with your erratic cousin watching the baby, but your partner is not. My honest opinion is you should always be responsible for your child or baby in a high-risk situation. Do not pass that off to someone else.
Safety is a tough topic and a serious one. Please think about if you can keep your baby safe on a day out boating.
Exit Plan
My final tip for boating with a baby is to always have an exit plan. At any point, you should be able to say, “We are done, we are going in.”
This could be for any reason. Maybe the weather isn’t appropriate for the baby. The waves could be too rough. You truly aren’t comfortable with the skills of your driver, even if they are a good friend.
Your baby may be overtired. You could have concerns that they are getting dehydrated or overheated. Maybe they are just too squirmy and you are stressed out about their safety. There are so many things that could happen unexpectedly or go wrong.
Ideally, you should be within a reasonable distance of the dock and your car. Never carpool with anyone. You don’t want to ruin someone else’s day by making them pack up early.
If you have to throw in the towel, that’s ok. I’m honestly proud of you for going for it. You tried. It is important to continue to live life despite having a baby. You can’t stay home every day and live in their perfect little bubble. Babies need to get outside and experience the world, as long as it can be done safely.
Go luck with giving your baby their first experience out on the water! Don’t forget to snap a few pictures!
Check Out My Articles
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