baby sleeping arrangements

[loobylou79]

see above post!!!!

i saw a load of trolls on the thread - and then saw my own pic in a wall of shame... yes the irony was missed on me!!!

im sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[Wooderson]

I note that the trolls have been absent from this thread in recent days.

[Ed209]

I note that the trolls have been absent from this thread in recent days.

[5co77ie]

We were in Womens Own (don't ask why) back in 1998 for taking our near 2 year old daughter to Glastonbury in 1997 - and an article all about strange parents who took their kids to odd places - we were in it for taking kids to festivals (very frowned upon). Wish I still had the photo it would qualify for the photos of shame, in fact most of those of her there would!

our intention was to have her sleep in a Moses basket at the head of our tent, and we had another tent with all the baby stuff in (these are the old scout type tents, the porous ones - we still have them).

However during the pouring rain in 97 whilst Radiohead were on she stripped off to her nappy danced around the tent pole in the 'baby stuff' tent before passing out. After the trouble we'd had the night before with her after The Prodigy had finished - we decided to leave her asleep in that tent zipped it up and went to sleep.

6" of rain later she was fast asleep the next morning her large teddy bear sodden beside her and a lake of water just below her feet. We nearly had heart attacks that she could have drowned (she was completely dry amazingly - the bear had taken a hit for her -= that's twhat they're there for) and she thought it was brilliant having her own pool in a tent.

She's loved growing up at festivals, and I think it's been great for her development.

Edited April 11, 2013 by 5co77ie

[The_Amazing_Oblong]

RainbowChild has hit the nail on the head.

If you know Glastonbury intimately then you will know there are plenty of spaces that do not attract 'muntered' people. Kidz field, family camping, most of the Greenfields.

I do think people making judgemental posts are mostly those that stick to the main pillhead and pisshead areas of the main stages, Babylon and dance venues and think the whole site is like that, it simply isn't the case.

Glastonbury is huge and the diversity is what makes it so special so there is a place for baby, parents, straight edge, yoga, meditation, green living and hedonism to name a few. There really is a peaceful restive side to the festival but you won't see it if you spend 5 days out of your face.

Yes, if I saw mum and baby in the dance tent at 2am I would be a little upset but to say they shouldn't be at the festival at all when there are areas specifically catering to them is just narrow minded. In 10 or more festivals I don't think I have ever seen very young kids down the front of the main stages after dark but I have seen plenty further back where there is lots of space and which has no more danger than any other busy place.

As for the fighting - your making that up to back your viewpoint. I have never seen a single fight at Glastonbury.

[beaker]

not read all the comments but this is my experience from talking a 6 month old

Don't!

We stayed in a caravan which made things a lot easier.

The year we went the weather was awful, it rained constantly that year so we were stuck in our caravan a lot of the time and we left early on the sunday (got towed off by a tractor!)

if you do go

make sure you bring ear defenders (allow the baby to sleep when you are out and about watching bands).

we took an "all in one suit" for the evening as it was very cold in the evening

we went to the welfare tents to feed the baby and get him changed from the daytime clothes to nighttime clothes.

if you are feeding the baby think about your food - no glass jars allowed.

If you have bottles you need to think about sterilizing the bottles.

as well as a buggy we took a baby carrier rucksack for when it was muddy (we also took a large umbrella which doubled up as a walking stick when it was slippy).

if you take your baby

Good luck

[Wooderson]

not read all the comments but this is my experience from talking a 6 month old

Don't!

We stayed in a caravan which made things a lot easier.

The year we went the weather was awful, it rained constantly that year so we were stuck in our caravan a lot of the time and we left early on the sunday (got towed off by a tractor!)

if you do go

make sure you bring ear defenders (allow the baby to sleep when you are out and about watching bands).

we took an "all in one suit" for the evening as it was very cold in the evening

we went to the welfare tents to feed the baby and get him changed from the daytime clothes to nighttime clothes.

if you are feeding the baby think about your food - no glass jars allowed.

If you have bottles you need to think about sterilizing the bottles.

as well as a buggy we took a baby carrier rucksack for when it was muddy (we also took a large umbrella which doubled up as a walking stick when it was slippy).

if you take your baby

Good luck

[Wooderson]

We checked our jogger-3wheeler into the lockups on the Thursday last year due to the mud. Didnt use it again until we got home.

Slings are the best way to go IMO when the ground is unforgiving.

[The Nal]

I don't have kids (well non that I know of ) but I love seeing parents with their kids at Glastonbury. Its fantastic. The positive impact of the whole thing on a young childs mind is immeasurable. Imagine if your first memory was from Glasto? You went "online" so to speak at Glastonbury. Mine is meeting Mickey Mouse in Disneyworld in 1982 but I'd trade that for 170,000 happy people in a field in the summer. Good starting point for life!

"Whats your earliest memory?"

"I think it was seeing my Dad, with a storm trooper helmet on his head, dancing to Roland Alphonso tunes in The Bimble Inn at Glastonbury 2013 ".

And The Kidz Field must be like heaven for young kids. So much going on there.

Also, it brings an innocence and purity to the place that exists at no other festival. So yeah, rock on kids.

Couple of world class trolls on this thread it has to be said. Commenting on other peoples kids. Quality trolling. Totally offside mind you but I guess thats the point.

[hombrederayo]

I wasn't brave enough to take my daughter as a baby to glastonbury...we couldn't afford it either really!

Instead she has now been to 2 camp bestivals aged 1 and 2, and will be making her Bearded Theory debut next month!

I plan to take her to glastonbury when she is 5...thats if the mrs lets me!

[RainbowChild]

Just a quick point on the baby food/glass thing. The NCT tent at the back of the kidzfield is AMAZING. They literally have EVERYTHING you will need (so wont actually need to carry). They have biodegradable Nappies, wipes and all other essentials including food. I was amazed last year that for a donation I could have not bothered taking anything.

It might be worth contacting the NCT to see what they have, I'm pretty sure it's the mendip branch

[onykahonie]

Hummmm....is it more responsible to take your 6 month old baby to Glastonbury, who you'll not let out of your sight for a moment, OR allow your 16 year old child go with other teens and no adults?

[Chazeboy]

I wasn't brave enough to take my daughter as a baby to glastonbury...we couldn't afford it either really!

Instead she has now been to 2 camp bestivals aged 1 and 2, and will be making her Bearded Theory debut next month!

I plan to take her to glastonbury when she is 5...thats if the mrs lets me!

[al_coholic]

Me and the wife took our 4 month old in 2005. It was either that or no festival. He was perfectly happy and healthy and we kept him away from the big speakers on the pyramid. To be honest it was hard and tiring especially with all the rain and mud.

[Chazeboy]

We fully intend to take our young un next year all being well, and if we can get tickets, needs to meet his/her festival family properly and not just in his/her mums tum

Edited April 11, 2013 by Chazeboy

[onykahonie]

Just found this fab guide on taking babies to festivals: http://www.festivalkidz.com/essentials/baby/festival-essentials-for-babies/

Edited April 11, 2013 by onykahonie

[Wooderson]

Don't jinx it Wooderson - they'll be back at half term.

Easter holidays are over I think

[Witty username here]

I think you're all avoiding the elephant in the room.

Look what exposure to Glasto from a young age did to Lily Allen.

Do you irresponsible parents want to spawn another potty-mouthed, if erudite, pop millionare monster?

[Bexxxxx]

I know formedaband isn't the only poster who's suggested my wife and I shouldn't be taking our baby at all, but this post roughly sums up what he/she and a few others seem to think of me.

Just a few points I want to make in response.

1. We will be keeping a close eye on weather forecasts in the run up to the festival, so we can be sure to have appropriate equipment and clothing.

2. We have already arranged with my in-laws that they will be available as a back-up option for us. If the weather is expected to be very bad, or it turns bad, and we feel it's best for our baby to be elsewhere, we will call them, and they will kindly collect him. Likewise, if we simply feel he is overwhelmed by the crowds etc. they will be an option. If this happens, either myself or my wife, or perhaps both, may decide to leave early with him.

3. We have both been to Glastonbury before, both in dry years and wet. We therefore know the layout of the site (except for any site changes this year), the terrain, what the people are generally like, where the quieter areas are, what facilities are available, what support services are available etc. etc. There are some festivals I wouldn't consider taking our boy to, such as Download or Reading, for fairly obvious reasons, but Glastonbury has a tradition of being a family-friendly festival, especially in recent years, and I can think of far worse places for him to be.

4. We will be camping with some other parents we know, in the family camping field. We are planning to have a group of tents arranged so that each has at least one sleeping compartment sheltered by other tents, so babies and children can sleep in these. This way, if anyone does stumble and fall into one of our tents, they will be landing on an adult, not a child.

5. We will not be taking our baby to Shangri-La at 4 a.m. believe it or not. My wife and I will probably have one late night each, if any, and we'll take it in turns, with the other having little or no alcohol during the day beforehand, so they're able to look after our baby responsibly. If we are at main stages or in tents which are busy, we'll be on the outskirts, where we can still hear well, but there is a good amount of space. Our baby will also have ear defenders, plenty of warm clothing for when it's dark, and protection from sun or rain (sorry to use the 'r' word).

6. Having been to Glastonbury before, we know that the vast majority of drunkenness there is very good-natured. I personally haven't seen one example of aggression there (I know that doesn't mean it's impossible, but that's my experience). If either my wife or myself found ourselves with our baby, facing a situation involving an aggressive individual, we would act in the same way we would anywhere else. We would simply walk away. If that didn't work, I would pity anyone who threatened my child, whether he was with me or my wife.

7. As far as drugs are concerned, I don't indulge myself any more, but I know others at Glastonbury do. If I'm perfectly honest, I'd rather my boy was sitting in a field where a few people are smoking pot within a hundred yards in the open air, than being pushed through a town centre, with petrol and diesel fumes coming at him from every direction. I certainly won't choose to sit right next to a group of people who are smoking (anything), but that's part of parenting, making sure your child is in a suitable environment.

8. We have both experienced the boozy, loud, crazy, manic side of Glastonbury before. This year we hope to have a different experience, but that doesn't mean it won't be a worthwhile, or enjoyable one. We may well take turns with the baby a couple of nights to give each of us a chance to cut loose for a night, but our lives are different now we are parents, we can't both do that every night. This is something we accept, and embrace, It's called growing up.

So, to conclude, if anyone feels what I've said above suggests I'm a selfish or irresponsible parent, then fine. Frankly I'm not interested in your opinion, as you clearly have no idea about having children.

Personally I feel that anyone who, without even having children, suggests they shouldn't be brought to Glastonbury, are likely to be the ones who'll become selfish parents, as they'll be thinking of their own enjoyment first, not their children's (if they have any in the future). I totally understand parents who choose not to take their children, as they have made a judgement call, but I don't expect anyone else to tell me how I should raise my son, or where I should take him.

All those who will be taking children in June, and also those who are open-minded enough to accept our choice to do so, I look forward to seeing you there!

All those who think I'm some sort of unfit parent for considering it, fuck right off.

[Bexxxxx]

We were in Womens Own (don't ask why) back in 1998 for taking our near 2 year old daughter to Glastonbury in 1997 - and an article all about strange parents who took their kids to odd places - we were in it for taking kids to festivals (very frowned upon). Wish I still had the photo it would qualify for the photos of shame, in fact most of those of her there would!

our intention was to have her sleep in a Moses basket at the head of our tent, and we had another tent with all the baby stuff in (these are the old scout type tents, the porous ones - we still have them).

However during the pouring rain in 97 whilst Radiohead were on she stripped off to her nappy danced around the tent pole in the 'baby stuff' tent before passing out. After the trouble we'd had the night before with her after The Prodigy had finished - we decided to leave her asleep in that tent zipped it up and went to sleep.

6" of rain later she was fast asleep the next morning her large teddy bear sodden beside her and a lake of water just below her feet. We nearly had heart attacks that she could have drowned (she was completely dry amazingly - the bear had taken a hit for her -= that's twhat they're there for) and she thought it was brilliant having her own pool in a tent.

She's loved growing up at festivals, and I think it's been great for her development.

[Bexxxxx]

mr grumbly - we too will be taking our little one for the first time this year (he'll be 5 and a half months come the festival). I'm not sure I can really advise on sleeping arrangements though as I'm still not sure what we're going to do ourselves! My preference, as others have advised, is a travel cot, but we are in a campervan which means I'm not sure we'll have space for it (limited floor space). I think we'll probably take his moses basket, or failing that have him on the bed in the van with me (with dad either in the roof or the awning). I would definitely advise a baby sleeping bag though with a high tog rating - you can always add extra blankets too.

And to all those of you making negative comments - exactly what business is it of yours? mr grumbly did not ask your opinion on taking his child. You are welcome to your opinions, but I feel some of the comments here are both unjustified and misguided. Parents are the only people who can really decide what is best for their child.

I bought my tickets while still pregnant knowing I had til the beginning of May to decide whether to keep them. I am a Glasto veteran and have always been determined that I would want to take my children, but even I realised I may not feel the same as a mum. I did nearly cancel my tickets, but now I have decided to go I am completely sure that is the right decision for us. It will be difficult and is likely to be a very different festival experience, but I can't wait!

[mr gumby]

mr grumbly - we too will be taking our little one for the first time this year (he'll be 5 and a half months come the festival). I'm not sure I can really advise on sleeping arrangements though as I'm still not sure what we're going to do ourselves! My preference, as others have advised, is a travel cot, but we are in a campervan which means I'm not sure we'll have space for it (limited floor space). I think we'll probably take his moses basket, or failing that have him on the bed in the van with me (with dad either in the roof or the awning). I would definitely advise a baby sleeping bag though with a high tog rating - you can always add extra blankets too.

And to all those of you making negative comments - exactly what business is it of yours? mr grumbly did not ask your opinion on taking his child. You are welcome to your opinions, but I feel some of the comments here are both unjustified and misguided. Parents are the only people who can really decide what is best for their child.

I bought my tickets while still pregnant knowing I had til the beginning of May to decide whether to keep them. I am a Glasto veteran and have always been determined that I would want to take my children, but even I realised I may not feel the same as a mum. I did nearly cancel my tickets, but now I have decided to go I am completely sure that is the right decision for us. It will be difficult and is likely to be a very different festival experience, but I can't wait!

[SamJ]

Ok first post. Just to add my support too. Me and the hubbie are taking our baby for the first time this year. He'll be just 1. We've both been to Glasto many times (10 I think but it all gets a bit hazy) and it feels like the right thing to us. We are prepared for the hard work and hope our happy chap will enjoy all the new experiences. Hope we can meet lots of friendly people in the family camping and kidz field.