Eight month old baby on the Playa?

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:40 pm

Friends of mine are having a baby in a couple of weeks, and they are thinking about bringing the baby to the 2008 Burn. We have good shelter in the form of a converted bus with A/C. And we've been to BM before. Any specific concerns about an eight month old baby on the Playa? Any old threads on the topic?

Much obliged!

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:19 pm

tons of old threads - dig deep.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:20 pm

Any specific concerns about an eight month old baby on the Playa?

I have no concerns whatsoever.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:40 pm

mdmf007 wrote:tons of old threads - dig deep.

I'm a real klutz with searching, but I need to learn, don't I.

Ah... Found one:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... light=baby

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:52 pm

Have your friends ever been camping anywhere with an infant?

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:06 pm

Bob wrote:Have your friends ever been camping anywhere with an infant?

Been there, done that with 2 babies in the family, and with planning and forethought it was no big deal..and that includes riding out a thunderstorm even. Heck the babies even went out on the pontoon and got to go swimming.

As for the subject of taking a baby to the playa before we lost Jasmine Amaya, we asked a pediatrician with the University of Kansas Medical Center about taking a baby to BRC...turns out she's went for 4 out of the past 7 years and taken her own kids. Other than the usual advice on hydration, sunscreen, proper clothing, and making sure we had suitable shelter and wraps in case of dust storms, her advice was to go and have fun.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:20 pm

Bob wrote:Have your friends ever been camping anywhere with an infant?

The father has two older kids, and he's definitely a camping type of guy, so odds are he has.
And they are conservative homebody types -- definitely NOT the kind who might be passed out drunk when the baby needs them.

But I'm mildly opposed to it, myself. Seems like an unnecessary risk for a person who is unable to communicate his status to those who would help him.

My biggest concerns are dust-in-lungs and dehydration.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:25 pm

Just keep the dingos away from the baby

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:38 pm

I'm getting the hang of the Seach function.

This is a good thread:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... light=baby

The Kids & Teens "sticky" at the top of this section is also good. It starts out with talk about grown kids, which misled me at first.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:39 am

if something bad happened, , god forbid, wonder how it would look to the Department of Family Aid, or whatever its called there, when they found out the baby got hurt at Burning Man? Our society still burns withces in a way

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:42 am

My friends are leaning towards leaving Junior with Grandma for the week.
That's probably best until he is old enough to tell his parents where it hurts -- maybe literally.

Once he's a few years old, he'll be a great Burner, and he'll always have sober adults to watch him constantly.

Thanks!

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:58 pm

I'm planning on taking my 6 month old this year. It will change a lot and I personally would not recommend taking kids your first time unless you're experienced at camping in dry dusty desert environments. It's our first child so I'm sure we'll learn a lot in the first six months that we're currently clueless about but out current objectives are to make certain we always have a good shelter that protects the child from the environment. Which to me means a RV with A/C and heater and a back-up A/C. I don't think a 6 month old can really appreciate the event so I figure I'm at least going to make sure it is as comfortable and has as much fun as if we stayed home.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:12 pm

Too much responsibility on the playa IMO. I mean an infant needs CONSTANT care and attention which means that someone is stuck in the RV all week and not actually enjoying BM. Just my opinion.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:52 pm

BitterDan:
Good point. If my friends do decide to bring Junior, there will be at least four level-headed adults taking turns with him. Any fewer just wouldn't work, for sure.

But it sounds like BM will instead be the mom's first vacation, which she'll no doubt deserve by then.

Say, BitterDan, where did your signature quote come from? I love it!

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:46 pm

Bring the baby, I'll watch it during the day, that is if you
don't mind it hanging out with me on my artcar.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:07 pm

.
I'm not exactly squeamish, but I judge that to be in bad taste in this context. In an unrelated context, it would not be a problem. But we are discussing real babies here.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:19 pm

What precinct do you judge?
Sarcasm has a place in every thread, especially when there
are children involved.
Breath.
Relax.
Enjoy.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:18 pm

Say, BitterDan, where did your signature quote come from? I love it!

It's a quote from Allan Goldfein. Who that is, I have no idea.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:49 am

oh how the tasteless can be so tasty....one eyed dick is merely pointing out the problems of unlit babies on the playa at night...

darkwaddles i think they are called.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"sacred cows make the best hamburgers"

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:42 am

Somoene asked W. C. Fields if he liked babies and he said "Only if they are properly cooked."

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:42 am

darkswaddles

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:42 pm

Thanks guys, I was starting to feel like an asshole, but
now I am comfortable being one again.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:06 pm

Now I really am confused.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:38 pm

Dark-swaddle, as in swaddling cloth or swaddling clothes.

Not to worry. When that little tyke -- who is getting ready to be born later this month -- arrives on the Playa sooner or later, he'll be all lit up in something like this:

Merry Christmas!

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:17 am

Too much responsibility on the playa IMO. I mean an infant needs CONSTANT care and attention which means that someone is stuck in the RV all week and not actually enjoying BM. Just my opinion.

I agree with that completely but we're still bringing ours. They do require constant care and one of us will be stuck in the RV the whole time (mostly me probably). That gives the other a lot of time to the other to go play and explore. There are also burner activities that you can partake in from inside an RV. Running my radio station for example. I had it last year but lacked the desire to play with something like that. This year it's more likely. Premade playlists will be my friend and when the baby naps I can take control.

I would tell most people to leave their kids at home their first time. After than you should be able to think it through and make an informed responsible decision.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:48 pm

2 things to do for a playa baby
=Keep the baby's air clean somehow during a dust storm
=Keep the baby's temp normal when the playa is hot or cold
I would think those are the two most important things. Babies are a lot of work jeez

CdnChick · Post by **CdnChick** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:24 pm

I don't have kids yet, but we're hoping to in the near future.

I was concerned about my BM future as I do live in Canada, and the trek itself is quite a trial with just 2 adults.

I was mentioning this to my mom, and her response was "That's what grandparents are for!"

My mom rocks!

**I'm not criticizing anyone who wants to bring their kids, but for me, it my adult time :)**

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:02 pm

Elliot wrote:
BitterDan:
Good point. If my friends do decide to bring Junior, there will be at least four level-headed adults taking turns with him. Any fewer just wouldn't work, for sure.

\/
Ahh, Are these "level headed" adults, K racers by any chance??Duhh

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:21 pm

"Level headed" doesn't count for much. I'm the level-headedest one around (if you've met me you know about my laser-straight flat-top) but I don't know nuthin' 'bout raisin' babies.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:25 pm

Raisin babies? Is that what you call them when you forget about them and leave them out in the playa sun?