1St Float Trip

This is a bad idea. I am sorry to be so blunt. At that age if he goes overboard there is no way he could hold his head above water on his own even with a floatation device on. He could dround in a matter of secounds. Please think seriously about this idea. Also there is the issue of heat exhaustion which can happen very fast in a child that age especially this weekend with temps suppose to be reaching the mid 90's. Please be careful!

I personally feel that a 6 mile float trip will be too much to ask of a 15 month old. For one, even though he will have a life jacket on (:)) in the boat he will be wanting to get up, etc... because as you know they cannot sit still at this age and toys in a raft would not be a good thing because they will probably end up in the water. Also, you might have some trouble getting him to take a nap as he will be pumped up from all of the activity going on. I would suggest asking someone to watch him and wait till he gets older to try this. I think in the end neither one of you will have fun. If you do decide to take him - come back on here and let us know how it went. Good luck!

The quicker the better in my opinion. I have been camping and fishing and all that fun stuff since I was a wee tot. My daughter whom is 13 went camping with us when she could barely walk and she is a big fan of outdoorsy stuff.

well...i have mixed feelings about this. i took my son on a float trip in a duo of canoes strapped together when he was about that age, and he did great. put the infant carrier in the canoe and even tho he was too long for it put a life vest on him, sunscreened him up, and strapped him down...he was able to nap that way. but it kind of sucked. and now that i'm a pediatric nurse i just kind of want to hotline myself. :) i think that age is too young, from my job and personal experience. our trip was about 5 miles and carson was just too tired of sitting and walking the 8 inches between seats, and of course too little to get out and swim in deep water. so...trapped in a canoe for hours with a hot, screaming kid. he did great considering his age but it still sucked, not to mention was really dangerous, considering. we have had several near drownings this year of children in joplin, so please be careful.

My fam is going floating this weekend too. Great minds think alike... I'm taking my 3 yr old and we are canoeing. Just as long as he has a life jacket on he should be fine. You know, I see people at White Water (water park) in this huge wave pool with their little ones that aren't wearing life jackets and I think that would be way more dangerous than floating in a raft. Your little guy isn't too young. Go, make memories. Oh... Good luck on that whole nap thing. It may not happen.

Have Fun!
-K.

We took my youngest on a float trip when he was 16 months old and it went better than I figured. We did a 5 mile float and got out every 30-45 minutes to play for a bit. The hardest part was him having to wear the life jacket all day, but he got used to it. We gave him lots of snacks along the way-we let him play while we ate lunch-the snacking kept him occupied. He took a nap towards the end-very cute picture of him sleeping in his life jacket. I would just bring a few of his favorite toys to play with in the boat. Enjoy and don't forget your camera.

ARE YOU CRAZY? This is an awful idea. Your son is way too young to take on a float trip. Any float trip I've ever heard of has consisted of the following: beer, cigarettes, sun, lots of drunk people. Not a good combination for a 15 month old. Could you live with yourself if something happened to your son while on this trip? I think it is not a good idea at all. He can't swim... he probably can't talk very much... he has sensitive baby skin ... and six miles? Are you serious? I would like to see my 2-year old daughter sit still for that long! I would not recommend this!

My sister went on her first float trip at 9 months - in a canoe and we camped. She's a red-head. Mom kept sun-screen on her and carried an umbrella. I took my girls in a raft when they 10 to 11 months old. My younger one kept jumping out of the raft and would float (as much as we'd let her) hanging on to the side of the raft. Your son will be fine. Get him a life jacket, hat and sun-screen and have a great time. But I wouldn't hold my breath on getting him to nap. I have yet to see one nap and between my girls, my neice and friends kids I haven't seen one nap on the river yet. Now in the car on the way home - out like a light. The one thing that I would watch out for is that a lot of Missouri rivers are not as family friendly as they once were. Lots of people drunk, lots of harsh language and lots of partying on the weekends. It's a shame that so many can't just go and have a good time without making the river enjoyable for all, but that's how lots of people are. Have a great time!!!

Personally, I would be TERRIFIED to take him. Not necessarilly for your part, but everyone else that is going to be on the river! I wouldn't do it.
HOWEVER, that is only because my daughter is 3 and has no fear - whatsoever - (she seems to think she is an olympic swimmer, whether it's 2inches or 10 feet of water).
This is an issue that you have to be 110% comfortable with as his mother.

My opinion is he is way too young for a float like this.

He probably won't be happy wearing a life vest and you do not want him out of it for a second. The river has plenty of deep spots that you can not see into more than a few inches, and the current can be very fast in places.

A 6 mile float in a raft is long and slow! MUCH slower than in a canoe, especially with all of the stops that you will probably need to make. If he gets tired and cranky then you are just stuck being miserable trying to paddle a raft as fast as you can to get it done.

It might be just fine but it seems like too many risks for me to be comfortable with. I would wait until he is older.

I have 2 daughters and we took both of them when they were about that age. Actually last year we went and my youngest was 1 year old and had open heart surgery 4 months prior to the float trip. No problems and the girls loved it!! We did have a 6 man raft. Canoes are not safe. Also if you drink and smoke..remember your child comes first if you flip over !! We had to rescue a small child for her parents because they were more worried about their beer and cigs!!! I know everyone isn't like that but when you drink your mind isn't where it should be. We did use lots of sunscreen on the girls and covered up with light blankets when sleeping. We would also put cool water on them if we thought they were to hot.

Go for it and have a great time!!!

K., I see you have gotten a ton of info, so I will keep my 2 cents breif. I personally, having had my own 2 children, neices, younger brother and 3 sisters, pre-school students....Hon, I can see no fun coming of this, honestly! If you said, we are camping out by the river and we are sinking his playpen in water about 5-7 inches for him to splash around in, I would say, OMG! That sounds awesome! But what you are talking about is a little guy sitting for a several hours, I assume - I have never floated and don't know how long it takes. Bottom line, unless you are planning on spending most of your time making multiple sit down/still requests, concentrating on entertaining him instead of enjoying the ride, holding him while he desperately tries to touch the water....I would say in a few years it could be awesome. I just don't hold a lot of hope for this to be fun...especially when factoring in the heat and sun. Is there someone going with you that can sit with him while you float? After all of the stress you have been under with a premmie and being a single mother, I applaude you going. Just not too sure about short man. Good luck with whatever you decide! Just do NOT take your eye's off of him unless you are holding him if you do go. Please! (But you know that...sorry! And sorry for not being able to be breif. Not good at that!)

Yes, we use to go all the time and I cannot imagine taking my kids as young as they are....You just never know what will happen with a young one when you are in the outdoors like that. If there is an emergency for some reason, it would take hours for any medical care. Better safe than sorry.

I went on a float trip years ago and a mom brought her baby who was an infant. Only this was in a canoe, which is not nearly as safe as a raft. They did fine. I'm sure you will be very watchful and make sure he has a baby life preserver on at all times. The bigger issue are the other people on the trip. Most float trips involve drinking and going wild. I would make sure there is at least one other adult, who will not drink, who will be your designated helper with your child. It would be extremely stressful if you end up being the only responsible one on the trip and end up having to constantly protect your child from splashing or behavior that concerns you. Also, you'll want to make sure there is a sober person in the car on the way back with you. You don't want a drunk friend driving you home, nor you driving with a drunk friend watching your baby. Also, in a raft, if your baby is napping, make sure there's padding underneath him in case you run into low waters - the rocks could be painful if you bottom out.

We recently returned from a float trip with our 17 month old grandson. He loved the river..he even took a nap. I have 3 adult children who started floating at the same ages. We've always taken a RAFT and never had a problem. Unlike canoes rafts are very hard to tip. All of our children started floating at the same young age and they too loved it. Just remember that you are on the water and you will need to bring extra suntan lotion, plenty of fluids to drink and maybe a hat. Rivers can be dangerous, you just need to use your good judgement and be careful. We've always floated on the Black River, in Lesterville, MO. It's beautiful and the current isn't very strong. I hope you all have a great time!!!

15 months is very young for a float trip! Especially a 6-mile one.....kids need to be able to get out & move around. Sitting in a carseat on a road trip is very different from the limitations of a raft.
I've been on the river with all ages, & even a 2 y.o. is hard to manage. My chiidren grew up on the water, as did I. So please consider this a response from someone who's been there. & I absolutely love using a raft over a kayak or canoe, but rafts also can flip or deflate over the course of the float. We had one trip where we had to walk the last mile. It was not fun. Lots to think about!

I would be scared to have one this young on the river AND in the heat for that long. If he got sick from the heat, was scared or (God forbid) fell in/got injured in any way, there wouldn't be much of a way to back out until you got to the end of the trip.

Are the other people going with you singles, families...will there be other kids and other parents who understand kids? Just my personal concerns. Whatever you decide, have fun & BE SAFE!!!!!

We are also going floating this weekend. I, myself, don't recommend taking him. There are alot of stupid ppl on the river. Plus being so young he would get cranky and hot. I have a 5 and 7 year old that I would not take them on a weekend that is busy. If you do decide to take him, the tent is a good idea. On a raft there's pretty much only room on the sides because of coolers. I hope you figure it out and have a great time.

I would suggest for the next time taking the kids on a weekday float. The weekend floats are like frat parties. Beer, naked girls, etc... I'd be more worried about everyone else on the river and what they might accidenlty do to you.

Have fun and be prepared for inaapropriate behavior from everyone else.

Hi K. - I have taken my kids on float trips many times but my son was about three or four the first time. For him that was the perfect age. I really personally feel your son is a bit young for such an endeavor but that is, like I said, just my personal opinion. I am thinking safety wise there may be an issue with the place you reserve your raft for the float also...there may be an age requirement. You would definitely want to check on that prior to leaving should you decide to go. Is there someone you trust that you could go off without him this time and take him in another year or two? Have a safe trip whatever you decide!!! :)

You may well have considered all this, but how experienced are you and the other adults and what river are you planning to float? We floated the Meramec one year after floods had altered conditions significantly and we ran into an unexpectedly dangerous bend. I was not experienced enough, but my husband was very experienced, he came close to drowning that day.

I would not take a child that young on any stretch of water I was not familiar with and probably not on anything more rapid or deep than the Huzzah. It is a delightfully calm and often shaded creek. That would bore most adults who love floating, however.

I do believe there are life preservers for babies that assure their head stays above water, but in rapidly moving water these preservers will not prevent the baby being tossed up against rocks or fallen trees. So, again, my caution is to know the streatch of water you plan to float.

We took our son on a one or two mile float on a very calm stretch of the Meramec when he was 4 y/o. He had a great time. Anything longer would have bored him silly.

Once you have considered all safety issues, perhaps the question you would want to ask is if you think your son would enjoy it and how will that affect the others. That is a lot of time in a life preserver, in the heat, and in a confined space. One thing I know about a 15 month old baby is that if he ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. My son nursed until he was 20 months. We took a 2 week vacation when he was 15 months. We spent a week travelling a couple of hundred miles a day and camping in state parks each night. He was so bored on those long drives that he just wanted to nurse all the time. It was hard to keep him distracted and harder to nurse him in a car seat! We did have a great time, but it took a great deal of patience for my husband and I. My thought is that it takes adults who really care primarily about the child to enjoy putting the child's needs first. If that would wreck the trip for the others, I would stay home and find something my child and I could both enjoy.

We took our 16 month year old last year and he loved it!! It was great weather. We loaded him up with sunscreen!! Just be aware of others that are going by that may splash and squirt you. They are not looking for a little one in the raft. We would say we have a baby! That always did it and even the louder rafts would settle down!! I would do the 6 mile. We went in the afternoon and our son just slept afterwards!! He was too excited to nap! Good luck and have fun!!

Float trips are fun and relaxing. In MO most of the places that allow floats, do not have very deep water. Generally it is no more than 4 ft tall. I always tell people, if you fall out of the raft, stand up. Your son will do great. Put him on a life jacket. Have fun. I went on a float 2 weeks ago @ Riverview Ranch in Bourbon MO. It was the best weather and the water was great. Listerine on the skin and dryer sheets hanging out of your clothes repels the mosquitos and flies. It really works.

You might contact the company you are floating through. We went a couple of years ago and the places I called wouldn't allow anyone under the age of 2. I'd hate for you to get to where you're going and have problems after the fact.

Good Morning K., Personally he is not to young IF you have a very GOOD sunscreen and life jackets that fit him snug. We have gone on floats at New Brunsful (?) in TX. and were burnt to a crisp. Have your little tent set up to put him under to keep the sun off of him alot.

I think if the water isn't to rough or the float to long he should enjoy it also.

Good Luck to you and have a wonderful family time
K.

My oldest child's first raft float was at 6 mos!. We graduated to canoes when she hit 3, but are back to rafts this year as we have another baby around. This child's first float will be at about 3-4 mos! My kiddos love camping and floating, and they are never too young to start a love of the outdoors. Just make sure you have something t okeep off the sun (I am looking around for those UV tents), plenty of sunscreeen, snacks, water, and toys. A little net to drag in the water works wonders on an antsy toddler. A hat is lso a good idea.

I wanted to add, a life jacket is a must, at all times. I know w/my kids we had to make lots of stops for swimming, playing with rocks, catching crawdads, ect, so if they have a shorter float you might want to try it, a 3-mile raft float (rafts are slow anyways) at a toddlers pace takes all day.

K.,
Your son probably won't be able to nap in his life vest. It is also easy to overheat in those life vests. If your son is the type to be able to sit still and enjoy a much shorter trip, then maybe that is the way to go. My son loves boats and just enjoying nature, but he gets wriggly after having to stay in a life vest very long. Also keep in mind that those vests will keep him floating, but not keep his head above water - so on moving water, excellent swimmers and constant vigilance would be in order. A six mile trip can leave you feeling a bit stranded if anything goes wrong. I went with friends four years ago before I was a mom . It was late July in southern Missouri, it dropped to 40 degrees and poured rain the entire trip. That was one river full of blue lipped floaters. best wishes,
J.

Hi K.,
Listen to all the request that tell you NOT to take your son. I am an experienced floater and once rescued a child about that age from the arms of his mother when they got into trouble on the river. She screamed,"Take my child!" and then stayed behind to try and get herself and her husband out of the dangerous situation they were in. Other floaters eventually saved the parents and brought them down river to a safe sandbar where we were waiting. You DO NOT want to have this happen. BTW: She handed her baby off to a COMPLETE STRANGER rather than see her child die. Thank God it was me! Please, please do not take your son. S.

I just went on one this past weekend (with friends) and it is a long day! Lots of people had their kids, some didn't like it at all. We got rained on and were freezing for a while so I recomend bringing an umbrella or poncho or something to keep dry and warm. Tons of sunscreen too! I put spf 30 on 2 or 3 times and still got a little red. We got on the river at 9am and got to the end at about 3:30ish but we stopped a few times also. We also had a 6 mile float. I would be prepared for lots of drunk, wild groups who don't know how to watch their language on the river, especially if you are floating on saturday! Good luck and I hope he likes it.

K.-
You have already received a ton of advice! Here are my thoughts - check the river level since everyone has gotten a lot of rain lately. We have taken our son canoeing, but the first time he was 3 1/2 and he loved it. We also have a 17 month old, but she will not be going this year. She is way too busy to be kept in and I would not have a good time trying to contain her. We camp a lot and go play in the water/beach. We actually float on Sunday so we can avoid the crazy drunks and the crowds. I would also go on a shorter trip - 3-4 miles. You can always stop alot to make the trip longer, but if he doesn't do well, you won't have as far to go. I don't know where you are going, but if you are going to Noel (Elk river), their will be crowd and mostly adults drinking heavily.
Either way you decide - have fun!

I think if you can find a sitter, leave him behind. I think he won't remember the trip even if he does enjoy it, but you won't enjoy it as much. You will constantly be having to watch him.

We went rafting on july 5 in OKla. 6 miles took us about 2-2 1/2hours but the river was up and going pretty fast. I would just suggest getting the spray-on baby sunscreen and putting it on LOTS of time. Also make sure you have enough snacks that can help keep him hydrated like grapes, applesauce and other "juicy" fruits. I would be sure to take towels in trashbags to keep them dry and be sure to take breaks out of the sun if you stop on a beach. He may take a nap on a beach but I know we ended up with lots of water in the bottom of our raft so keep that in mind.

I'd just make sure you have a life jacket that fits correctly, and plenty to keep him entertained a 6 mile trip is going to be rough on someone so young. Personally I'd wait until he was a little older and just enjoy the great outdoors without having to worry if he's going to fall in or about all the other people on the river you are floating. I've been on a few float trips and there are some crazy drunk people on the river.

I've only been on one float trip and it was a pretty mild run but I wouldn't take my 2 year old. My 6 year old maybe, but at 2 (or below) they don't take direction well enough to be trusted on a boat. I'm sure it would be fine, but it would be a lot of work for you and I doubt you'd enjoy yourself! Let the baby spend the weekend with grandma and you and your man go enjoy some time alone!!!

I have an active 14 month old (who is the size of a 2 yr old). We take her on my parents' pontoon boat and have a bit of a time controlling her because she is always wanting to look over the sides, etc., and there's two of us! I think this is a huge mistake for you to take a child that small on a float trip. Have you thought about him getting bit by insects, especially ticks? And how can you have any fun since you will constantly be watching him. I can't imagine floating (yuck!) far less with my little one. Check into a Residence Inn and get a little pampering instead!

How fun!! I wish more moms would take their children along with them everywhere!! I've taken all of mine out floating since at least the age of 2 but the youngest (of 4) went on his first when he was 8 months old, then 18 months and this year at 30 months - he's already a river pro! :) I usually bring an umbrella or when he was smaller the little tent - a wet towel over them cools and protects while sleeping too. Do you have one of those floaty suits? I absolutely LOVE those! Between that and water wings they can hold their own even when very young - not that you'd just let them go, but just the added peace of mind. Have a blast for all of us! :) I have to laugh now because after I wrote this I got to read some of the more recent responses and WOW - I guess I may not hold a popular opinion. I was just assuming you weren't floating alone and you were taking him on more of a "family" float trip not one with a bunch of drunken friends. We have not run into any of the problems that all of these people "who would never" seem to be afraid of. Bring a first aid kit with you, bring a sting removal kit, duh, sunscreen - all things that you'd want to bring without a child! My children HAVE napped when younger and when they don't it's because they're having fun - they'll sleep later :) I say, relax,have fun and enjoy. Don't let uptight persons ruin a good time! BTW - where are you going?

Never in a million years would I take him, he is too little and there are alot of risks and stupid drunken people out on the water these days. You say that you are single, I'm a single mom too. Who will be there to help you? Will the people in your group be drinking? Is anyone trained in CPR, or other rescue techniques? I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I myself almost drowned on a float trip and I was about 23 at the time. I took my 12 yr old last summer and I was a nervous wreck the whole time. The water can be dangerous, please think this through, including all of the "what ifs".

Wow, what timing! We just did that last week with my 23-month-old son, but in canoes, not a raft. My son loved it and he did great, even though he missed his nap (he almost fell asleep in the canoe, but not quite). Our float was 8 miles, and I was nervous at first, because they told us it would take 4 to 6 hours. We finished in 3 hours, however, and that was stopping twice to swim and play. I know there is a big difference between 23 months and 15, so I guess you'll have to make your own decision, based on your son's temperament, but our experience was a blast.

Do you have an appropriate personal flotation device for him?

We took our little guy at 12 m. He really enjoyed it. He wore his life jacket. He fell asleep on me during the float. After a few hours, he was getting impatient and we had to finish the trip quickly. Have fun!!!

I absolutely love float trips, but wouldn't even consider it at his age. First of all, it can be dangerous on the river for a variety of reasons, and the risk simply isn't worth it. Second of all, I can't imagine he is going to really enjoy it, which is going to mean you won't enjoy it either. If I were you, for now, I would think of something much less stressful to do and something that doesn't involve a predetermined time commitment, like 6-miles on a river!
Babies are this young for such a short time... it won't be long before a float trip will be lots of fun for all of you... just remember to put him first.

Has anyone who is against this idea actually taken a baby on a float trip?

We just got back Sunday from Lebanon, Mo from 2 separate days of floating. Friday the loud, obnoxious people are not there. Saturday different story. We had one place that was rough and my 12yr & 14 yr old dumped their canoe. Saturday, no issues with rough water. My kids have been canoing since 18mo. Always wearing a life jacket and lots of sunscreen. A squirt bottle to mist him helps keep him cool. Ziploc makes really large bags for your towels and food to stay dry.
We have always done canoe and not a raft, but, our little ones would sit in the front with me and go to sleep on my legs with their life jacket on. Make sure the life jacket fits correctly.
My sister in-law thought we were making a huge mistake taking our little guy. She said he will throw a huge fit. I came back from the trip and told her she was right. He threw a fit when we stopped frequently and took him OUT of the boat.
Keep this in mind. Don't drink alcohol, start early in the day and take your time. Stop frequently and let him run around. Watching him of course! Have cheerios and snacky things for him and lots of liquid. Check water levels on website before you go. Enjoy the weekend!!!