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loongoingdeep
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03/10/2021 07:10AM  
Looking to here what other parents have used when taking their toddler ( 18 months ) out in the canoe? Wanting recommendations and or comments before we purchase a no name brand. Thanks!
 
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EddyTurn
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03/10/2021 10:28AM  
In my view, at this age walking in the woods is still challenging enough by itself that a backpack could be more of a hindrance or even a danger. Our son started carrying a load on portages (also on a balance bike) at the age of three. Till he was 2.5 we used a child carrier for anything challenging. If this is what you are interested in, we liked our Osprey Poco a lot, though it's expensive and takes too much space in the boat.
 
cyclones30
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03/10/2021 12:21PM  
You want the kid to wear a pack or you want to carry the kid in a pack?
 
loongoingdeep
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03/10/2021 12:29PM  
wanting to carry him in a pack.
 
TipsyPaddler
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03/10/2021 02:40PM  
I agree with EddyTurn...18 months is probably too young to carry a pack. If a toddler can get themself across a short portage on their own that's doing really well.

I took my youngest on his first BWCA trip when he was four and he just carried a light kid's rucksack/school backpack with a few toys and snacks (which we made sure any crumbs and wrappers were emptied each evening and stored in the food barrel). He is 8 years old now and can handle a CCS Rucksack with his personal clothing, sleeping bag and mattress--and still the snacks, always bring snacks!

For a paddle I got one of the cheap, telescoping paddles that he could dip in the water as he felt like it but we didn't expect much from him. Now he uses a Bending Branches Twig paddle. Still don't get a lot of paddling power out of him but in fairness he is always on a wide middle seat in a MNIII/IV or NW20 and its a bit of a reach for him still.
 
HayRiverDrifter
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03/10/2021 02:45PM  
Keep in mind that toddlers do not compress much.
 
THEGrandRapids
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03/10/2021 03:45PM  
We have successfully used the "sling" type of carriers from 9 weeks to 24 months during 3 different trips. they pack down small and work well. Even though we don't like to front carry portage packs, my spouse front carried our son and didn't carry a pack. We did a modified leap frog portage.

Another item that I would bring, which may seem bulky and heavy for its size, is the camp high chair, I think the brand is ciao. Was awkward to portage and just sat on top of our stuff in the canoe, but we found it indispensable for around camp, or even at the end of a portage. Gives you the ability to safely keep the toddler somewhere and freeing all hands for whatever needs to happen. This along with a bug net over top was clutch. Dinners were easy.

Go out and explore! Our oldest will be on his 4th trip before 3 years old! and our youngest will make his maiden voyage in June at 8 months.
 
CRL
senior member (85)senior membersenior member
  
03/10/2021 06:02PM  
Dueter Kid Comfort II had worked well for us on longer portages. It just goes on top of the packs while paddling. The zippered compartment below is good for a few water bottles, diapers, wipes, snacks, etc. It is a frame pack--stable, but bulky, good for larger babies/toddlers. An Ergo Baby can be worn front or back, but a larger 18 month child might be pushing it. This is very packable when not being used. Added bonus is if baby is used to it, it can be very familiar and comforting. Umbrellas are nice for keeping baby dry while in baby carrier. Keep in mind that having a little one pretty much means one adult is fully dedicated to baby on a portage (and then caring for little one while other loads go across). The other adult/adults need to be prepared to deal with all gear. This requires thoughtful packing and portaging strategy (double portaging, portage and a half, etc.) It is possible to do longer portages like the Tuscarora portage with little ones (did it with 3 year old, 2 year old, and 3 month old), but in retrospect I don't know if I'd recommend it being kiddos and just Mom and Dad. It makes for a long wait for one parent while the other is schlepping gear, and if one adult would get injured it would get complicated quickly. Perhaps more info than you are looking for, but our kids love canoe tripping and I'm excited when others get their kids started early. Just be cautious on biting off too much and be ok with being wind bound in what may normally not make you windbound.
 
loongoingdeep
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03/11/2021 06:27AM  
Only one short portage and our trip will be a day trip only. More concerned with how to hold/carry him while in canoe and paddle. Lots of options but of course our main concern is safety and risk involved. We are just trying to think of worse case scenarios and what to do if they would occur. We are not staying overnight, will be staying at a cabin on Moose and going in from there for one day. Thanks for all who gave advice!
 
EddyTurn
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03/11/2021 06:56AM  
I'd say using child carrier in a boat is not the best option, if for safety reasons alone. Also combination of it and a life jacket could be really uncomfortable for a child. From 12 months till now, almost 6 years, we had a success with a PFD to protect upper body and a rolled foam sleeping pad for a seat. First year major issue was kid's discomfort with PFD and we have to change a few of them (trying shorter trips on local lakes) before finding something marginally acceptable, but from his second year on, as his frame got big enough, this problem was gone. For camping we used a collapsible child seat with straps.
 
03/11/2021 08:32AM  
Agreed - if that's what was being recommended I would not have my kid strapped in the carrier while in the canoe for sure.

We had one of the Kelty carriers, prior to that had an off brand, but it just wasn't as comfortable for him. The kelty was great. Never used in the BW. The two times we took out son to the BW when he was a toddler, we planned easy trips, read minimal portaging and my wife just carried him and one other small pack. I'd double portage the rest of the gear and they would get a moment to explore the dirt, bugs, rocks and whatever else they could find at the end of the portage.

We used the Kelty carrier on day hikes outside of the BW.
 
THEGrandRapids
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03/11/2021 09:15AM  
As others have said, the *only* thing I would put my kid in, while in the canoe is a life jacket with head float.

Bring a small drybag stuffed with something for them to sit on right in front of either you or your spouse. Likely easier to sit in the bow, but watch out for the occasional head bump.

There are also a number of entries people over look because its a short dead end, or they don't think they can get a quality BWCA experience, which is hogwash. Crocodile, Slim (backside of Burntside)- few others.
 
Porkeater
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03/11/2021 11:48AM  
HayRiverDrifter: "Keep in mind that toddlers do not compress much."


Since no one else is, I'll give you a +1 for this.
 
loongoingdeep
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03/11/2021 12:24PM  
Porkeater: "
HayRiverDrifter: "Keep in mind that toddlers do not compress much."



Since no one else is, I'll give you a +1 for this. "


I'm sure if some of our "Mothers" on the forum would speak up they could add a lot to this! LOL
 
cyclones30
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03/11/2021 12:25PM  
Porkeater: "
HayRiverDrifter: "Keep in mind that toddlers do not compress much."



Since no one else is, I'll give you a +1 for this. "



I laugh every time I scroll past it :)
 
Savage Voyageur
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03/11/2021 06:43PM  
Look in the forum dedicated to tripping with children, lots of good ideas there. Here is the Link.

 
OCDave
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03/11/2021 09:38PM  
It has been a long time since I carried a toddler. I am foggy on the ages when we did this.

We once rented a metal framed carried from REI for a week. The toddler (probably closer to 12 months than 18 months at the time) sat in it like a chair and faced forward. It was comfortable enough for him that he frequently fell asleep in the carrier. It was fine for car camping and day-hikes along the Northshore but, the metal frame would make it less packable/ canoe friendly.

Eventually, we started using an empty frameless backpack/ rucksack. It was a 30-35 liter Northface with a padded hip-belt. Our youngest son would simply stand in the empty pack facing forward over my shoulder as we hiked. He liked standing more than sitting. I could easily flip him in and out without removing the pack. so he got to get in an out more frequently. It worked remarkably well for him and was comfortable and unobtrusive for me. I don't recall him ever falling asleep in the backpack. Again, not portaging, just day-hiking while car camping.

Good Luck, hope you find a solution that works for you.
 
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