Babies?

[Cheesey]

i looked at loads of options to take a 1 year old this year and this was brilliant!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Infantastic%C2%AE-FAH16-Dark-Purple-Trailer-Jogger/dp/B008USF0A4/ref=sr_1_6?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1412676147&sr=1-6&keywords=bike+trailer

got her all the way back from pyramid after metallica to the furthest corner of the campervan field and she stayed asleep. powered through the mud and was a little safe haven for her when she just wanted to sit and play with her toys.

it feels safer than pulling something behind you too and no one can fall into them as it has 2 covers inc a waterproof one.

worth every penny and still getting use out of it.

Yep, double bike trailers/joggers are the way forward. We picked one up for about £50 on eBay. The big wheels deal with nearly all kinds of mud, and there's loads of room in the back to carry all your stuff. You can also decorate it with lights so people can see you coming at night. Here's ours from this year:

[JennieT]

Yep, double bike trailers/joggers are the way forward. We picked one up for about £50 on eBay. The big wheels deal with nearly all kinds of mud, and there's loads of room in the back to carry all your stuff. You can also decorate it with lights so people can see you coming at night. Here's ours from this year:

Fab!

[Cheesey]

The only thing I would say about bike trailers is that they're not suitable for very small babies. There are harnesses to strap your kids in, but they do need to be able to sit up. We used a pretty rugged off-road pushchair for the first two years, but it struggled in the mud in 2011 the front wheel kept getting clogged:

With hindsight we would have been much better off with a bike trailer that year.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Cheesey

[lazyred]

It really is down to how you want to do the festival. If you already enjoy the Circus/Caberet/Green fields side of the festival and are ok with drinking less and a slower pace then do it. If you get off your head and watch lots of bands on different stages then accept it will be different or leave them at home. It is not selfish to want an adult only experience but Glastonbury is great for families. My daughter has been to everyone since she was born (now 13) and I am glad we all go together.

[funkyuk]

Babies as young as yours are a breeze. lightweight, they dont bitch as much as Under 10's and fairly low maintenance. Its once you start toilet training them, and they need access to the toilet quickly / middle of night / have an accident that it becomes a struggle. You will be fine. lots of time to chill in kids field, enjoy it.

[OBface]

Babies as young as yours are a breeze. lightweight, they dont bitch as much as Under 10's and fairly low maintenance. Its once you start toilet training them, and they need access to the toilet quickly / middle of night / have an accident that it becomes a struggle. You will be fine. lots of time to chill in kids field, enjoy it.

I took a collapsible potty to Camp Bestival (Glastonbury strictly an adult only affair for me:)) this year for my 3 year old daughter and it was great. Literally could be 'popped' up anywhere and any business went straight into a recyclable plastic bag with an absorbent patch at the bottom which could then be thrown away. No cleaning needed and no panics trying to reach/hold a child over a long drop.

Probably too much information but a festival god send for little ones!

[Cheesey]

I took a collapsible potty to Camp Bestival (Glastonbury strictly an adult only affair for me:)) this year for my 3 year old daughter and it was great. Literally could be 'popped' up anywhere and any business went straight into a recyclable plastic bag with an absorbent patch at the bottom which could then be thrown away. No cleaning needed and no panics trying to reach/hold a child over a long drop.

Probably too much information but a festival god send for little ones!

We have one of these too and it's one of the best baby/child things we've ever bought. Completely eliminates toilet worries.

I even used it once when we were right up on the flaggy hill and miles from any toilets

[carlosj]

You sound like you've got it sorted out, great! As long as you're going to make sure your kids are enjoying themselves and are not scared or confused (like most adults there, probably), they will have a great time. You may develop rock hard buns, abs and biceps from pushing them around, but that's a good side benefit.

It takes a bit more organising to have everything ready for babies (nappies etc) but I've seen quite a few couples bickering, with no kids, so the (happy, positive) attitude of approaching any festival, not just Glastonbury is key, I think.

[sazindie]

We took our youngest in '13 when she was 3 months, and this year when she was 15 months, 3 months was a easier to handle I have to say. We used a bike trailer this year but they're not suitable for really little ones. Perhaps have a look into using a woven wrap? Much easier to get around than a buggy, especially in the mud. Next year is likely to be our first ever kid or pregnancy free Glastonbury, which will be an experience, unless I decide that 2 years old is too young to be leaving her....

Edited October 7, 2014 by sazindie

[noplacelikehome]

I think it all depends on if it is a sunny one or a mudbath.

We took our 5 month old in the mud fest that was 2007, to be honest it was really hard work even though we were in the relative luxury of a caravan. The mud just made everything really difficult, we had an old buggy which just about stood up to the challenge but was very hard going, the wheels were about 6 inches bigger by the end of each day.

Some people have mentioned using slings and wraps - in a good weather year I would agree, but I found that it was so muddy that I was constantly terrified wearing the sling in case I slipped in the mud - not so bad when it is just you and after several pints, but carrying a baby it was quite scary. In the end we left early on the Sunday as we just couldn't face another day of getting wet and miserable - but then again in 2007 many people did this without the added complication of a 5 month old!

It is a very different Glastonbury, as many of the above posters have mentioned - after that year we took the view that we wanted it to be the one weekend a year that was just for us and without the kids - although that may change when they get a bit older (and if I can persuade the other half). However, had that year been gloriously sunny then we may have enjoyed it much more and taken them again and again. Good luck whatever you decide!

[Stu H]

We're trying for a family just now and we have said for a while that we want any children to grow up with Glastonbury in their lives. My wife's a music teacher, I'm a drummer/guitarist and we want music to be a big thing for them too.

Perhaps not as babies (I did see a few this year, including a group in the Bimble Inn happily coping more than ok with a baby in their group), but certainly as young kids.

[OBface]

Some people have mentioned using slings and wraps - in a good weather year I would agree, but I found that it was so muddy that I was constantly terrified wearing the sling in case I slipped in the mud - not so bad when it is just you and after several pints, but carrying a baby it was quite scary. In the end we left early on the Sunday as we just couldn't face another day of getting wet and miserable - but then again in 2007 many people did this without the added complication of a 5 month old!

This is what worries me.

I fell over in the mud this year. I was 100% sober.

On a relatively dry year I think it could be an amazing experience. On a wet year potentially a very stressful situation even for the most easy going of parents.

[Guest]

Having a baby means your life is changed forever. Taking your baby to a festival (or whatever it is you like doing) isn't just about whether they will enjoy the event or not, it's about doing the things you like doing.... together.

Obviously, if there was any danger to the baby (for whatever reason), then it would be an ill advised trip. But there isn't any danger, the festival positively thrives on having people of every age, and caters for them, and provides facilities for when things go wrong.

It's hard to evaluate, but I believe opening their ears and eyes and minds to the wondrous possibilities that lay ahead for them in their life, is the best thing a parent can do.

[OBface]

Having a baby means your life is changed forever. Taking your baby to a festival (or whatever it is you like doing) isn't just about whether they will enjoy the event or not, it's about doing the things you like doing.... together.

Doing what I enjoy at festivals would be highly ill advised when in charge of a young ones

In all seriousness I very much agree with your sentiments about opening children's eyes to different experiences and possibilities. I plan to take my daughter to Glastonbury when she's a bit older and more independent. Next year I'm hoping she'll come with us to Shambala which is great for kids (and 10 minutes away from where grandparents live for the odd sleepover!).

[storm]

You say the baby will be 3 months old? So you haven't actually had it yet and is it your first?

I'm just asking because as a parent of many years I still remember how unprepared we were for the reality of having a baby the first time and I'm thinking you might feel differently about bringing a young baby once you know what it entails

. Plus you could really feel the need of a break at that stage and a few days away without the baby could be a better option.

Though as others have said you can decide for definite just before the festival if you have a baby sitter on standby/ can pack for the baby quickly.

Personally we starting bringing ours when they were 5 years old which works for us but younger children work for others

Edited October 7, 2014 by storm

[Guest]

Our daughter was 15 months old the first time. It was a horrible conditions (rain and mud), followed by a year or 2 of similar conditions. It was really hard work, but if anything, the undimmed enthusiasm of a kid who didn't care what the weather was, actually helped. My sister was with us with a son of similar age. They were actually disappointed the first time there wasn't lots of mud!

I also sincerely believe that the understanding that whatever the conditions, it's up to you what you make of it, has held in them in good stead for later life.

[cham08]

Cham did you go in 2014? I think given the weather conditions it would have been ultra hard with a baby and this is what would put me off. Fair play if you did!

Yes we were there this year. Was really not a problem and I genuinely mean that. We had a bigger than average tent so could stand up in it and child could play, we had one of the bike trailer things with big wheels which was fine in the mud and a rucksack carrier. Highlight was all three of us dancing to Craig Charles at Arcadia in the torrential rain as we missed the slot of getting into a tent.

Having said that my body was absolutely shattered after Friday night and having our child in the carrier for about 7 hours but recovered quickly enough on the Saturday fortunately. I am probably fitter than the average person so guess that helped but am buy no means a fitness freak.

Children generally don't seem to mind the weather conditions - well ours doesn't anyway. He loved running up and down in puddles that were nearly going over his willies, I think it is the parents who panic thinking oh sh*t if he falls over in there he will be soaked and will take ages to sort him out. Fortunately that never happened.

[cham08]

i looked at loads of options to take a 1 year old this year and this was brilliant!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Infantastic%C2%AE-FAH16-Dark-Purple-Trailer-Jogger/dp/B008USF0A4/ref=sr_1_6?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1412676147&sr=1-6&keywords=bike+trailer

got her all the way back from pyramid after metallica to the furthest corner of the campervan field and she stayed asleep. powered through the mud and was a little safe haven for her when she just wanted to sit and play with her toys.

it feels safer than pulling something behind you too and no one can fall into them as it has 2 covers inc a waterproof one.

worth every penny and still getting use out of it.

We took one of those this year and agree they are great. Would be too big for the OP though whose baby would only be 3 months old IMO.

[Bexxxxx]

Some great responses on this thread

Whilst I understand why people leave their kids with grandparents/carers for the weekend I couldn't imagine being there without our child. if you work you very rarely get to spend 5 full days with your child with nothing else to do but chill out, enjoy each others company and spend time with each other. For me this is more important than being able to stay out until 5am in the morning.

^^ This! Forgot to mention this in my earlier posts but it is so true. My other half particularly, only really has evenings and weekends with our son due to work. Glastonbury 2013 was the first solid five days he spent with me and the baby since his paternity leave and it was FAB.

We used a pretty rugged off-road pushchair for the first two years, but it struggled in the mud in 2011 the front wheel kept getting clogged:

Know that feeling Cheesey! We had a similar one and couldn't go anywhere on the muddiest days in 2014 without a sturdy stick to help us remove the mud clogged around the front wheel. In the worst of it, we were stopping to 'unclog' every 5 minutes - not fun!

Having a baby means your life is changed forever. Taking your baby to a festival (or whatever it is you like doing) isn't just about whether they will enjoy the event or not, it's about doing the things you like doing.... together.

Obviously, if there was any danger to the baby (for whatever reason), then it would be an ill advised trip. But there isn't any danger, the festival positively thrives on having people of every age, and caters for them, and provides facilities for when things go wrong.

It's hard to evaluate, but I believe opening their ears and eyes and minds to the wondrous possibilities that lay ahead for them in their life, is the best thing a parent can do.

This is precisely why I was sure I wanted to take my son. I love Glastonbury and have been going since I was 13. Being a good mum is also making sure you are happy, and that your children can see that happiness. And for me, I don't get much happier than seeing my family enjoying Glastonbury with me

You say the baby will be 3 months old? So you haven't actually had it yet and is it your first?

I'm just asking because as a parent of many years I still remember how unprepared we were for the reality of having a baby the first time and I'm thinking you might feel differently about bringing a young baby once you know what it entails

Very good point Storm. If this is your first JennieT, you really can't be 100% sure how you'll feel once the little one is here. Having a newborn enter your life is a HUGE change and can be quite a shock to the system. You may not feel confident taking the baby once it's here, or you may also not feel able to leave it with others while you go. And obviously breasfeeding makes leaving a young baby for any length of time a little tricky.

[Guest]

He loved running up and down in puddles that were nearly going over his willies,

What kind of creature have you spawned...?

[OBface]

I have total respect for all of you parents who embrace taking children whatever the weather! It's not for me as I see it as the single time in the year I have to myself (I leave my husband at home as well) but seriously fair play.

The slight inference in that this is what a GOOD parent would do though I don't agree with. I'm probably a better a better mother for the few days I do have away...

[OBface]

Probably being sensitive though

[Guest]

I have total respect for all of you parents who embrace taking children whatever the weather! It's not for me as I see it as the single time in the year I have to myself (I leave my husband at home as well) but seriously fair play.

The slight inference in that this is what a GOOD parent would do though I don't agree with. I'm probably a better a better mother for the few days I do have away...

I hope that isn't what my take on it comes across as.... usually on threads like this, there are endless voices of 'helpful' advice saying parents are stupid and even selfish for thinking of taking their kids to Glastonbury.

If you want a break from your kids for a few days, then go for it

[Bexxxxx]

Same here - I hope my posts aren't coming across like this either. I have experienced the same as tonyblair describes above and I was just trying to provide an honest and hopefully useful opinion to the OP. I am fully aware that what works for one family may not work as well for the next family.

[OBface]

Thanks. I can see that I WAS being sensitive