My sister has a newborn. She gave birth a month ago, and since boating is part of our family lifestyle. We all started to wonder if we could bring the baby on the boat. I did some research, and this is all I learned.
So, can you bring a baby on a boat? Yes, you can. However, to ensure that your little one is safe as you cruise on the water, it is highly recommended that you follow the safety guidelines provided by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The USCG’s Office of Boating Safety, babies, must not travel on a boat until they reach the ideal weight of at least 18 lbs. They must also wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Certain safety precautions must be exercised by adults who would be on the boat with the babies to ensure that everyone would have a great time with the little one on board.
How do you take a baby on a boat?
Before taking a baby on a boat, consider several factors. First, consider the baby’s weight. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety recommends that the baby has to be at least 18 lbs. Before he can travel on a boat. Regularly, babies reach this weight between 4 to 11 months. The USCG was adamant about the weight but not the age of the baby. Suffice to say, if the baby reaches 18 lbs. before he is 4 months old, then, by all means, you could already travel with him on a boat.
Next, determine the availability of a PFD that could fit your baby snugly. The main reason behind reaching the 18-lb weight is for your baby to fit in the recommended USGC-approved life jacket.
According to Boater Kids, an infant life jacket which is meant for babies weighing under 30 lbs. must be worn by your little one. This kind of life jacket has a “heads up” cushion, which would help keep babies up on the surface. Make sure that the life jacket for your baby would have a loop handle at the top. It must also have a strap, which goes between the legs of the baby. This ensures that the jacket will not slide up.
Now that you have the jacket on your baby, it is time to board the boat with your little one. There are two ways. First, you can pass the baby (wearing the infant life jacket) to someone who is already on board. Make sure that the person who would be receiving the baby from the boat is strong enough and would have a stable grip on the baby. Although this is one of the ways, many dads attest to the second option.
The next way is to hold the baby firmly in one arm while you board the boat. Just make sure that somebody is behind you to keep you steady while you are boarding the boat. The second option might just be better, especially if there is a considerable distance between the boat and the dock.
Can you bring a newborn on a boat?
Bringing a newborn on a boat is not recommended. This is also why the USCG has laid down the guidelines when it comes to bringing babies on a boat. The agency’s recommendation is to make sure that the baby reaches 18 lbs., as this weight allows him to fit snugly in the approved infant life jacket or PFD of the USCG, which would keep babies safe. The PFD is built to keep babies afloat. Its structure would ensure that the baby’s head is kept out of the water.
Newborns wouldn’t be able to fit in a PFD, which would render it very dangerous for them to be on a boat that is underway. Even if you would let your newborn wear a PFD, he would easily slip out of it as the jacket would be too big for him.
Besides, newborns couldn’t hold their heads up yet, and forcing a PFD on them would not be a very good idea. The bobbing motion of the boat can also injure the neck and head of a newborn. This is why it is advised that you must wait until your bundle of joy could hold his head before bringing him for a boat ride.
Also, take note that the newborn’s skin could not yet sweat. His sweat glands have not yet fully developed. If the weather is hot, it might cause stress on him since his body won’t be able to regulate his body temperature easily. The rays of the sun might also be harmful to his eyes and skin.
So if you’re bent on giving your little one that fun ride with you on the boat, please wait until he would be able to hold his head up. Make sure also that you afford him the right amount of protection from the weather elements like the sun, wind, rain, and cold.
What are the best tips for boating with a baby?
There are many things that you need to remember when you bring a baby on a boat. Below are some of the best tips when you’re boating with a baby. Taking note of them will help ensure that your baby is safe on the boat and that you have a great time together when the boat is underway.
1. Adhere to the USCG recommended weight and infant life jacket
This cannot be overstated. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you must not travel with your baby on a boat until he reaches at least 18 lbs. Usually, babies would reach this weight at 4 months. If your baby reaches the ideal weight before 4 months, then there is nothing to worry about bringing him with you on your boating trip. Reaching 18 lbs. means that he could already fit snugly into an USCG-recommended infant life jacket. This would also ensure that your baby is safe as you travel.
2. Forego the car seats
Safe Kids recommends that while the boat is underway, make sure that you hold on to your baby. Don’t even consider bringing the car seat with you on the boat and just strap your baby on it. As per Safe Kids, if the boat would capsize, then the car seat would sink instantly. This would imperil your baby in the event of any untoward incident. So just hold on to your little one while the boat is underway. This could even give you some great bonding moments with your baby.
3. Keep your baby warm
If you don’t feel cold with every splash of water that hits you, babies would be different. They are at a higher risk of hypothermia, which, according to Mayo Clinic, is a medical emergency where the body reaches a very low temperature as a result of losing heat at a very fast rate. So make sure that you bring a sufficient number of dry blankets or towels that will keep your little one warm and dry. Remember that babies wouldn’t be able to tell you that they’re cold. You need to be vigilant in observing whether they’re cold or not. If they seem cold or shivering, immediately wrap them in a towel or dry blanket.
4. Provide your baby some shade
Babies have sensitive skin. You may not feel much of the heat when you’re underway. However, this does not mean that your baby’s skin is not receiving the rays from the sun. So to prevent your baby from feeling too much heat or getting a sunburn, make sure that you create some shade. One recommendation from Boats is to utilize a bimini top. This can block the sun’s rays and would also give you a sufficient amount of space where it would be cool for your baby. Also, if the bimini top will not be able to provide ample protection, you can always let your baby wear a sun hat. This wide-brimmed hat can help protect your baby in case the bimini top would not be enough.
5. Plan ahead and choose the right boating hours
Boats recommend that if you would be boating with an infant, better start early morning. This would give you smoother waters and cooler temperatures, two conditions which would be ideal when you have a baby on the boat. Try to steer clear of the “water traffic.” This would refer to the time when other boats would head out, which is usually around mid to late morning. Also, never forget to check the radar before you head out. If it’s too windy, or perhaps the weatherman would tell you that there’s a possibility of a thunderstorm, better reschedule your boating trip. If you have already headed out and you received a warning or any information that denotes strong winds or bad weather, better shorten your trip. Safety would always be your top priority when you have a baby with you.
6. Don’t consider relying on swimming aids
You might be tempted to put your reliance on swimming aids. However, these are merely fun toys and could never take the place of an infant life jacket recommended by the USCG. Kids may love to play with those noodles or water wings, but they could never act as a life jacket or PFD.
7. Designate a secured area for your baby
Although the most-secured place for your baby while on a boat would be your arms, there may be a situation, which might need all hands on deck. If during a boating trip and you would be short of manpower, Boats recommend that it would be best to designate a secured area for your baby on the boat. This would be a place where you can seat your baby, without the risk of them moving or falling around. This would allow you to perform all the necessary actions that would meet the specific circumstance on the water. When this event arises, having a secured area for your baby will keep your little one safe, and everyone on the boat safe.
8. Pack more than what you need
It’s always a good rule of thumb to adhere to the adage, better safe than sorry. When packing supplies for your boating trip with your baby, better pack more than what you foresee you’ll need. For one, your diaper bag must be waterproof. Bring lots of food, baby formula, water, snacks, juices, and also waterproof diapers. Don’t forget the specially-formulated sunscreen for your baby. Just make sure that you will bring more than what you need. You’ll never know when those extra supplies will come in handy.
9. Make naptime manageable
A baby taking a nap on a boat can become a bit tricky. To ensure that your baby gets a good rest, and somehow allow you to help out when needed on deck, Boats suggest that you bring a rocker with you. Some families bring their bouncers to keep the baby snug and safe while the boat is underway.
Here’s a table you can use as a guide in choosing an infant life jacket as per Boater Exam:
| Infant | Child Small | Child Medium | Youth | |
| Size | Less than 30 lbs | 30 to 50 lbs | 30 to 50 lbs | 50 to 90 lbs |
| Age | Newborn to 2 years | 2 to 5 years | 4 to 8 years | 6 to 12 years |
| Chest Size | 16″ to 20″ | 20″ to 23″ up to 23″to 25″ | 21″ to 25″ | 26″ to 29″ |
Related Questions
Do car seats float? As mentioned earlier by Safe Kids, car seats will sink immediately as soon as the boat capsizes. This will not stay afloat on the water. Don’t rely on car seats to keep your baby safe while he is on the boat with you. The safest place for your baby during a boating trip would be in your arms. So even if you would be tempted to bring along the car seat, better resist the temptation and leave it in its rightful place – the car.
Can you take your baby out on the lake or river? The same precautions that you would exercise when bringing your baby on a boat out in the sea or ocean will be applied when you would take him out to the lake or river. What’s dangerous for your baby in the sea will be dangerous for him also on the lake. The water will not be shallow enough to prevent him from drowning in case there’s an untoward incident. He would still need to put on a personal flotation device recommended by the USCG..
