Baby + Boat for the win

Most people probably think that the idea of having a baby on a boat, sailing the world sounds like insanity, but I'm starting to think it could be an attachment parent's dream. ​

An old friend from high school is sailing the world on a Tall Ship. 
On board is the captain's 3 year old. 
 
My dad has always been very into the idea of a year or more at sea, and I know there are plenty of people who raise their kids on a boat. So I googled it, and found that there are kids who not only grow up on boats, but were born on those boats. 


I know I could do it now with a toddler/pre-schooler, but I've never really thought about doing it with a baby before. 


But after thinking about it for the last 24hrs, I'm starting to think there are a lot of upsides!!! 


Most people probably think that the idea of having a baby on a boat, sailing the world sounds like insanity, but I'm starting to think it could be an attachment parent's dream. 


Why? 


Living on a boat, space is at a premium. Which means you have to be able to seriously justify every item you bring on board. You also have very limited shopping opportunities. So you're going to save money.


No cot, no change table, no pack and play, no baby swing, no car seat, no pram - we're already up thousands on most people! 


With such little space you are only going to keep basic, layer-able clothes, and you won't be constantly tempted by the adorable clothes in the shops, and since there's no where to ship it too - neither will grandma. 


And we all know that the biggest impediment to living a minimalist life with baby is grandparents, and uncles/aunts and friends who can't walk past a shop without buying something, or cannot comprehend your "one present only please" birthday/Christmas request. 


Thankfully the chances of being sent that Fisher Price learning activity centre that plays annoying music, or ten million rattles is pretty slim when you are in the Middle of the Pacific. 


The few toys you can fit will by necessity need to be multi-use, multi-age and good quality. Like Montessori stuff. But for the most part you'll make do with pots and pans and bottles with rice and other "diy" toys. 


Another necessity, that also saves money and time - Elimination Communication. Obviously disposable nappies are out, you can't exactly run to Coles to get some more, and besides, where are you going to dispose of them? 
cloth nappies require a lot of washing. A bit too much washing to really be sailing friendly IMO, though apprently people do manage it.  So I think EC is really your best option, but since you'll have plenty of distraction free time to really bond with your baby, and very few mall outings, it's probably a lot easier then it is on land. 


Talking about bonding time, boats by design. Are usually pretty bed sharing friendly, they often have these cute little kid-bunks kind of sidecared on to the double, or in the front of the hull.

​You'll also have way less housework and multiple full time carers. And I doubt there's anything much hotter than a babywearing dad standing at the helm of your own yacht in the Carribean or the Med or just anywhere on the ocean, sun setting and glinting off the ocean..........

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Sorry, spaced out for a bit there! 

But the best bit? 


No one to look at you weird for baby wearing, no one telling you "you have to put the baby down, they won't learn to be independent" or "if you don't get them out of your bed/room by x age they'll never leave" 


No social media, no Ad campaigns, no random lady at Big W, no family or friends or co-workers convincing you that your baby *should* be doing xyz, that you must sleep train, that your child's biologically normal feeding and sleeping patterns are a problem. 


Just you, your baby and your instincts. (And maybe a copy of the wonder weeks!) 


BLISS


Depending where you sail, you're even likely to actually experience community parenting, women and older children who will gladly help you out, rocking and singing wearing and even wet-nursing your baby, cooking communal food, sharing the load. Older kids playing together with the little ones so mums can have a break. 

You know, they way we are biologically meant to parent.


Even if you aren't sailing in Fiji or the likes, "kid-Boats" apprently often meet up at anchorages and swap toys, hang out, have birthday parties, help each other out etc etc. So you're not going to be completly issolated, but you certinly won't have the constant barrage of "well meaning advice" you get in the city and surburbs!
 
What else?


Oh, no car trips. (honestly, I think that's enough reason on it's own for me)


Can you imagine?! Instead of baby screaming in their capsule whilst you cry in the drivers seat saying "I'm sorry bubba, it's not much further" or being housebound unless someone else can drive, and even then you have to stop every 10 minutes to calm baby down and a 30min trip feels like 16hrs, instead you have Bub skin to skin in a wrap, able to nurse at will and being lulled into contentment by the sway of the boat. 


If my child slept half as well on a boat as he did on a plane, OMG, heaven. 


And if they don't? Well it's not like you have to get up to go to work tomorrow. 


Yeah, after 24hrs of contemplating it, the only downside I can think of is the lack of space for real books. (Though I found a family that fixed that problem too)


New. life. dream.