Baby at BM, experience? preparation? what? where?

[some seeing eye]

The cycle of life is endless. As a parent you need to construct an in person, not online, network who are trusted and committed to you and your beautiful baby. Your small family. Communities and festivals like BM seem like they are that, but they are not. (They can be the start of one, but it takes plenty of in person relation after and ongoing)

Reach out to your longtime friends and fam and reconnect, especially other parents. They can research BM for you and they know you. We do not.

(I must agree with other commenters that a child of that age might not fully appreciate BM, however early babyhood imprints major elements of psychological wellbeing - see http://www.seedsofcompassion.org/ a general audience conference on the very topic)

((And if you go in the next few years, you should inform a ranger as soon as you find your camp that you and your family are there))

[NellieX]

Even with my limited amount of experience with babies, everything in me is screaming NO NO NO. I have a two year old "niece", and as out-going and fearless she is, I wouldn't even dream of bringing her, in her independent and self-reliant glory (as much as a 2 year old can be), until she was a bit older.

Please listen to people giving you advice...they've seen enough to know what they're talking about.

[Elorrum]

Consider what about Burning Man would be beneficial or comforting to a baby. Can you think of something? the heat? the dirt? the noise? All your efforts would be aimed towards reducing discomfort and hazard. Doesn't this seem a bit selfish?

[mdmf007]

as a father of four girls, the playa would be the last place to take them at 8 months old. You already know what is involved to care for your baby WITH all the amenities of home, the dust, heat, loud noises, fireworks, screaming, incessant music, and other input is just going to overwhelm them. At 8 months old, you are her world, you wont have anytime to yourself, you will have to go to a porta potty to do your business with a baby attached to you.

IMO it is just a bad idea, But your as a member of a free society - your certainly in your rights to take an infant to the playa..
MDMF

[Elderberry]

Is there any chance someone might report her to the Sheriff who might then report her to child protective services and she could lose her baby over this for child endangerment?

as a father of four girls, the playa would be the last place to take them at 8 months old. You already know what is involved to care for your baby WITH all the amenities of home, the dust, heat, loud noises, fireworks, screaming, incessant music, and other input is just going to overwhelm them. At 8 months old, you are her world, you wont have anytime to yourself, you will have to go to a porta potty to do your business with a baby attached to you.

IMO it is just a bad idea, But your as a member of a free society - your certainly in your rights to take an infant to the playa..
MDMF

[AntiM]

If the child is ever perceived as unattended, or in distress, yes, it could conceivably happen. I know it happened to a woman who brought a three year old and didn't tell her camp she had a kid in tow. That camp tossed her out at some point, I think, to go camp with other friends. A day or two later, she was evicted from the event, her other choice was child services. Kid was wandering? Which would not happen with a baby, but if you pass out, mom, whether from drinking or sheer exhaustion, and your baby goes into a screaming crying jag and the neighbors call the rangers, no one will be sympathetic. They will haul the baby to medical and if there is anything physically wrong, your heinie is in deep shit.

Without a trailer and other families to share the burden, it is dangerous to the child. They are not able to communicate their needs to you verbally. That would be the tipping point for me. Babies can cry, but they can't tell you their needs.

[gypsy68]

I would not bring a baby. But this is really your decision.
If you decide to bring the baby, bring your own vehicle. This way if there are any issue and you need to leave early you can without being dependent on another person.

[BBadger]

The solution is simple and fair: no child stowaways. All humans attending the event must have their own ticket. If you drop $360 for your baby, by all means, bring it; however, I doubt many people will find that premium on bringing their child worth it. Then again, with how much people spend on day care, maybe they will.

[NellieX]

The solution is simple and fair: no child stowaways. All humans attending the event must have their own ticket. If you drop $360 for your baby, by all means, bring it; however, I doubt many people will find that premium on bringing their child worth it. Then again, with how much people spend on day care, maybe they will.

I thought children under 12 didn't need a ticket? Or are you proposing a new ticket policy?

[Shpilkus]

What are the age requirements for the event? Do children get in free?
You must be at least 18 years of age or with a legal age parent or guardian to attend the event. Guardians should bring a signed and dated letter from one or both parents of the minor authorizing guardianship during the event. Children 12 years old and under get in free. Children 13 years and up must have a ticket.

[Sham]

Babyrocks has been very quiet on this thread. She asked the question, but just doesn't like the answers. My sister, (god bless her little heart of coal) suffers from a similar affliction. She will want to do something questionable, and will keep asking everyone she knows until she hears the answer she wants, no matter how many people disagree. When things go horribly wrong (as they ALWAYS do) she now can blame someone other than herself for the disaster. "I never should have listened to John", "if John didn't tell me to do this, my troubles would have never happened".

Babyrocks will be making the mistake of a lifetime, but she at least will get someone, somewhere to blame for the mess she is about to get in.

[maryanimal]

Ok...babyrocks... I have but a few words to say to you as many in here have stressed to you WHY you shouldn't bring your baby.

Now then...DO NOT BRING THAT PRECIOUS CHILD TO BURNING MAN!!!. NO ONE CAN BE THAT NIEVE AS TO KNOW IF THEY WERE AT BM ONCE BEFORE AND KNEW OF THE WEATHER, DUST, ETC CONDITIONS OF THE PLAYA, AND IF THEY WERE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, WOULD NEVER BRING A BABY!!!

PLEASE, do yourself and that baby a BIG favor and forget about going!! I think you and that child need to grow up a LOT more before ever thinking about burning man.


I'm sure you love your baby with all your heart. Burning Man will always be here. And as for your friend who told you to take said child, she needs to be plonked along with the Midwife!


Gee, I hope I wasn't too rough!

[Bob]

We brought our 2yo last year. Two nights, and out before the burn. Was worth it just to see her make dust angels at the no. 3 corner. She thought the Man was a robot.

A few people we know have had infants out there -- in houses in Gerlach.

Pretty easy to ask permission from strangers on the internets, harder to ask forgiveness from CPS.

[Turnip]

Another thing I thought of, is an 8 month old doesn't know how to operate rationally.

If an adult has a head-ache and a tummy ache, and feels dizzy from dehydration, they can say to themselves "Hey, I feel sick because I'm obviously dehydrated. Time to sit and relax and get myself to drink. Even if the water is tepid/warm and not what I normally like, and even if my tummy is cramped and doesn't feel like it WANTS water."


Now amount of coaxing is going to get an 8 month old to think rationally. All she will know is she feels sick, and uncomfortable, and will be crying and therefore dehydrating herself worse. If you try to force liquids down a cranky, sick, crying infants throat, we all know how that will end.

[NellieX]

Another thing I thought of, is an 8 month old doesn't know how to operate rationally.

If an adult has a head-ache and a tummy ache, and feels dizzy from dehydration, they can say to themselves "Hey, I feel sick because I'm obviously dehydrated. Time to sit and relax and get myself to drink. Even if the water is tepid/warm and not what I normally like, and even if my tummy is cramped and doesn't feel like it WANTS water."


Now amount of coaxing is going to get an 8 month old to think rationally. All she will know is she feels sick, and uncomfortable, and will be crying and therefore dehydrating herself worse. If you try to force liquids down a cranky, sick, crying infants throat, we all know how that will end.

This is a VERY good point. Think about how physically uncomfortable you will be, just from the altitude and heat alone. Now imagine feeling that as an infant who isn't able to understand the reason behind their discomfort, or what to do to fix it.

Please, OP, don't bring your baby.

[BBadger]

The solution is simple and fair: no child stowaways. All humans attending the event must have their own ticket. If you drop $360 for your baby, by all means, bring it; however, I doubt many people will find that premium on bringing their child worth it. Then again, with how much people spend on day care, maybe they will.

I thought children under 12 didn't need a ticket? Or are you proposing a new ticket policy?

I'd apply that policy to every ticketed event if I could: movies, airlines, etc. Maybe not busses...

Now amount of coaxing is going to get an 8 month old to think rationally. All she will know is she feels sick, and uncomfortable, and will be crying and therefore dehydrating herself worse. If you try to force liquids down a cranky, sick, crying infants throat, we all know how that will end.

Yeah, a baby will just cry if it's thirsty, chaffing, bored, scared, etc. No fun!

Though I must say, someone brought their toddler to our camp last year, and she was pretty cute. Even did some moves on the stripper pole (nothing risque). At least get them to that state. AND YOU DAMN WELL BETTER NOT FORGET THEM ON THE MUTANT VEHICLE LIKE SO MANY PARENTS FORGET THEIR CHILDREN IN HOT CARS.

[NellieX]

I'd apply that policy to every ticketed event if I could: movies, airlines, etc. Maybe not busses...

I agree with you to an extent. Adult-only flights and movies would be incredible.

Though I must say, someone brought their toddler to our camp last year, and she was pretty cute. Even did some moves on the stripper pole (nothing risque).

LOL! Those pictures will be great for blackmail later on in life

[Chiwa]

BabyRocks, it sounds to me like you are a responsible person. A lot of people are assuming you want to go get drunk and party, and maybe you do, but I don't get that impression from you. All you have mentioned is chilling with your friends. I'm that type of person as well, I mainly just hang out around camp. I'm currently pregnant with twins, and I'm also going to be a single mother. So I've started doing research now about whether or not it is feasible to take the twins to the playa next year, they would be about 8 months old then, just like your baby.

Honestly, I have to thank you. I've been worried about going while pregnant. I have a ton of friends to support me out there, but it still worries me that I will get dehydrated, which is very bad while pregnant. To hear that you found it to be the most relaxing part of your pregnancy has brought me some comfort. So, thank you.

On to my findings. If you're breastfeeding, there's a chance that you will get dehydrated and stop producing milk. If you are are making formula, you will need a way to boil water to keep everything bacteria free. If your baby does get dehydrated, which has a lot to do with the humidity as well as the temperature, then you need a way to cool that baby down fast.

As far as the playa dust itself, I think it would be best to keep the baby out of it as much as possible. In a stroller with a rain cover or something similar, and always in the shade. And in a dust storm a baby should probably always be inside. The baby will probably also need to be washed down with diluted vinegar water and moisturized at least daily.

I don't think I will be bringing my babies to the playa next year. But if I did, I definitely would not go without an RV that had air conditioning and a MURS radio, so that I could call 911 without having to find a ranger. Those are minimum standards for me. There's just no other way that I could see keeping all the feeding equipment clean and sterile and my baby as safe as possible.

All in all, I found that it would be cheaper and better if I could just find a sitter (like the grandparents) for a week, and give myself a week long vacation in the desert. When they are potty trained, then I will think about bringing them to the playa. Still in an RV with AC, and a MURS radio.

MURS radio link: http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... playa.html
Kids at BM link: http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... at_bm.html

[mdmf007]

Is there any chance someone might report her to the Sheriff who might then report her to child protective services and she could lose her baby over this for child endangerment?

as a father of four girls, the playa would be the last place to take them at 8 months old. You already know what is involved to care for your baby WITH all the amenities of home, the dust, heat, loud noises, fireworks, screaming, incessant music, and other input is just going to overwhelm them. At 8 months old, you are her world, you wont have anytime to yourself, you will have to go to a porta potty to do your business with a baby attached to you.

IMO it is just a bad idea, But your as a member of a free society - your certainly in your rights to take an infant to the playa..
MDMF

Its possible, but I have seen families living in such squalor and filth it turns my stomach - and that takes a lot. Like the other posters pointed out it only takes one situation like passing out, or injuring the baby - even if it is an innocent mistake.

Still a horrible idea.

[some seeing eye]

This in no way constitutes medical advice, consult a professional!

Playa dust can have many serious effects as has been discussed on these boards. There are even brine shrimp-like eggs that hatch in the wet season and swim in the playa lake. It's alive (bad!). Somebody, I think DPW, posted a video of them last Fall when it rained early. (Miniature Aliens??) Some BM participants have developed severe allergic reactions to playa dust. And tracking down doctors who understand it has been reportedly difficult.

You might do some research on allergy sensitization in the first year (allergy sensitization first months). It would be a shame for a small child to develop an allergic reaction to playa dust, limiting all their potential future visits. And it would be unfortunate to have an emergency reaction this year.

Chiwa, I didn't know about the 911 service! Cool. Although BM is small, response time is unpredictable and not sure how the Reno hospital is for rare small child problems. Doubt if there are any pediatric immunologists at all in the state of Nevada, much less in the world, that could wrap their mind around playa dust in an emergency situation.

For instance you might be able to see this thread on another website: http://bm.tribe.net/thread/88266e9d-81a ... c9b87f8c3e

You can find that thread by a google search allergic to burningman site:tribe.net

[delle]

she needs to be plonked along with the Midwife![/b] [/color]

Actually the advice about carrying the baby in a sling (or carrier) under your coat isn't as ridiculous as it sounds.... for FREEZING COLD weather. (which sounds like that's what the midwife was trying to say, from the OP's post -- I'm pretty sure the midwife wasn't referring to BM, but that the comment was advice that the OP remembered having been given for her newborn last winter).

We all do it here in Quebec. The coats are huge tho, and much care is taken to ensure there's enough fresh air in there to breath. Or a modified baby-carrier is worn backwards (in the front rather than the back) so the baby's head is poking out from your coat at chest level... looking out at the world and experiencing what you are.


I can see the appeal in wanting to bring a child before they're too mobile. I can.

Would I do it? No fucking way!

The hydration issue would be bad enough. Like almost certainly life-threateningly bad enough.

I also have this really sad picture in my head of the poor little thing having a full-body case of Playa Foot. The thought that she could be happily kept off the ground for the entire event is pure fantasy and pretty cruel.

[Elderberry]

Here's an easy way to look at it. Can you afford the $10,000.00 emergency helicopter medivac if the baby should need it? If so, bring the baby. If not, stay home.

[Simon of the Playa]

dont listen to the ANTI-BREEDERS who hate you because you have a womb.

prepare yourself properly and take care of your child and you should be fine. Radical Self Reliance, if you can do this, than do it.

haters gonna hate, because thats what bitter old gay men do...

John...i see a georgie boy future in your future.

[Elderberry]

Hey, I don't really give a damn what she does. She can keep that baby in and ice chest all week for all I care. It's her kid; she's entitled to do whatever she wants with it. If it dies out there, I can even give her the number of a good taxidermist. Or is that to libertarian for you?

[Simon of the Playa]

She can keep that baby in and ice chest all week for all I care.

yes we know....


i think you are mistaking libertarianism with heartlessness...i find your viewpoint myopic and dead wrong.

[OregonRed]

Thank you Sail Man.

BabyRocks, I too am a parent and I take my daughter to the Burn. She was sixteen the first time she went.

It is WAY too late in the game for you top be scrambling to take care of your infant on the playa. I am not saying this to sound mean, but you are hopelessly unprepared for caring for an infant on the playa, and the person who will pay for that the most is your eight-month-old infant. THAT IS NOT OKAY!!!

If you don't have somebody who can care for the wee person while you go to TTITD, stay away. Please, please, please do not expose your child to that environment.

[theCryptofishist]

There are even brine shrimp-like eggs that hatch in the wet season and swim in the playa lake.

Okay, has anyone, ever recorded a problem with the brine shrimp? I know there are some really nasty infectious parasites that will inhabit your skin in the grossest possible way, but I have never heard of Brine Shrimp being among that number. And I can't help thinking, California being what it is, that if brine shrimp did it, endangered Fairy Shrimp would be accused of it if it meant that they could bring moral pressure to build in an ephemeral wetland.
I am not going to endorse taking an 8-month old to the playa, but brine shrimp are not one of the problems.

[some seeing eye]

Hi Crypto,
The Aliens film reference was a joke.

Can shrimp eggs with their unique protein shell in combination with all the other irritants in playa dust cause an allergic reaction in the lungs? Unfortunately the sample size is too small and diagnosis too obscure. The anecdotal evidence from the Tribe thread indicates something is happening. And there are plenty of discussions of playa respiratory distress on this board. I don't think it's responsible to experiment on small children, though I would make a nice medical research paper.
SSE

[MissNev]

Wow! A lot of information (mostly not helpful) on here! I brought my daughter out there when she was just under a year old. It had nothing to do with wanting to go and having no one to leave her with (husband and 2 older sisters stayed home). I simply decided that she was better off with me. Plus she was still nursing. Now for some answers to your questions:
You have to decide what is right for YOU and YOUR BABY. My daughter never got dehydrated because I drank plenty of water (and nothing else) and took care of myself. We slept in a tent, but I did have a minivan that we napped in during the day with the a/c on. She discovered that she liked drinking water out of her own zippy cup, so I kept that filled. A big help and luxury was a small inflatable pool and a shade strucure. I had the pool under the shade strucure on a tarp and put just enough water in it for her to sit and splash. Baby sunscreen is a must. I took her out and about in her stroller with a canopy for shade, but we really didn't leave our camp much. She had warm pajamas for night, and cool light clothes or just a diaper for daytime.
It was a great experience. We only stayed a couple of days that year, but she has been back and loves it. She is 13 now.
It should be said that 13 years ago, it was a smaller event, but the conditions are much the same.
Good luck to you!

[Simon of the Playa]

+1000