walking with baby

[tomcrawford]

hi all

has anyone got any thoughts on walking the camino de compostela - or a substantial part of it - with a very young (3-6 month) baby?

has anyone else done this or similar treks with tiny kiddies? obviously i the little cutie will be carried, and the walk would have to be supported more than normal...

any impassable/dangerous bits...

are there places to buy nappies on the way or is hand washing (yuck!) the only option!!

would you think anyone carrying their baby on the route was some kind of ;child torturing baby hater/bit wierd/giving the littl 'un a good taste of adventure?

thoughts please!!

best regards,
Tom, Hannah and baby Jim

[Leslie]

An interesting one. I have met pilgrims with young children - one couple had a specially designed cart to pull them along behind - they found it tough going on some of the hills.

As for a six month old in albergues? man, I really have no idea if you would be welcomed with open coeing arms or shunned for the noise that was likely to follow at some point.

I only have one strong opinion - I don't think it would be good in July and Aug as it gets very, very hot.

let us know how you get on, and welcome to the forum.

[dani1985]

Hello!

I want to do the same thing, my baby is 4 months old now and whilst I have all this time off it is something i seriously want to accomplish! My partner who works away most of time is against me going alone with the tot and suggested i do it by myself and leave addy behind but thats not what I want to do...I want him to be included in mummys adventure!

I dont think you would be baby torturers what so ever I think its lovely you want your little cutie to share in your adventure. I dont see a problem as long as you both are fully prepared!!!

You know re the washing the anti bacterial on the go hand cleaning gel is fab, since my sons be born i have been travelling up and down the uk and the gel and baby wipes are just fine for hygiene.

As far as the nappy changing my idea would be there are a few stops from point to point as my grandad whos already done the pilgrimage made me aware of but the best idea i had would be taking nappy bags puttin all the yuck in and then tying a plastic bag to the back of your rucksack until you get to a rest stop where it can be disposed. I dont know if i'm thinking its as easy as it sounds or what but again its something i'm real keen on doing!! But open for suggestions on too...

anyhoo these are my thoughts...

xx

[dani1985]

I have read in the last few days at some point that you dont have to carry all your luggage with you...im not sure on costs or anything but if it was something like baby food...powdered milk nappies etc you could take your supllies and post it from one post office at the beginning of your journey to be collected at another post office how ever far along the trail you may think you would need to collect it....

thought that may be useful??

x

[nicola]

miHi - i'm starting the camino in 2 weeks with my 5 month old - any hints?

[John Hussey]

Would you sleep in hostals or in albergues along The Way?

If in albergues, does it sleep through the night?

Or, does it often wake up in the middle of it crying in a loud voice?

The last might not endear you much to the other pilgrims trying to sleep in the same room, those not used to a baby's crying.

Just a thought...from one used to a baby's crying...but, it has been a while though!

[nicola]

Hi - many thanks - yep was planning to use the albergues! He does wake once in the night but only wimpers a little! I'll have to play it by ear - if things don't go according to plan, I'll just come back home as I live in Spain. I've allowed 6 weeks to do the whole camino, but the whole thing depends on Rio - my baby as I'm not going to plough on if he's not enjoying it too! Did you do the camino? If so did you start at St Jean Pied de Port? Do any of the hostels have separate rooms? Any info is really helpful!!

[Terka]

miHi - i'm starting the camino in 2 weeks with my 5 month old - any hints?

Hello,

Did you do the Camino?
What are your experiences?

I am planning to do it in July, my little one will be 6 month than.
She wakes up only once at night already and she is not crying a lot anyway.

Did you get in to the pilgrim hostels with your little one?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you in advance: Terez