Me, my wife and another couple are bringing our girls out in July. They will be Right around 1 then. We are gonna use compostable diapers. Any thoughts on disposing of them in the toilets? Any tips on insect repellent? Can't wait. Thanks.

You can Not put them in the toilet unless they are those g diapers that are flushable. I have thought about the composting diapers and hiking deep into the woods, ripping them up and the burying them. They should disinigrate in 3 months. But you would want to go where no one would ever find them and make sure do do it right. I once found a blog on how to do of the right way, but I don't have it anymore. We always just pack them out, but if I were staring over I would think about the gdiaper

I used gDiapers with my youngest in every day life. I didn't go on a BW trip then so I can't comment on using them up there, other than I think the insides of the gDiaper are fine for the latrines, but the outer covering is tougher and takes longer to decompose. I guess it's fine either way but I would definitely open up the diaper when putting it into the latrine (like you would for flushing them at home). If you use gDiapers you know what I mean. If not, check out the gDiaper website and find their video on how it's done.

Congrats!! I took my eldest just before she turned one, and it was a blast. For me, diapers were no big deal to pack out inside ziplocks. Paddling was a bit harder since sometimes the bow paddler was fully occupied with kiddo.

Used a one piece REI rainsuit that was perfect for her. Still remember her crawling everywhere and being covered in mud. She smiled nonstop and slept great.

I can't wait to hear about your trip!

you know, after looking at the newest composting diapers out there, I suppose if you rip them and cut them all up before putting them into the toilet, they would degrade faster than most of the stuff in there. But you would need to bring a good pair of scissors. Might be something you want to try at home and see if packing them out would be easier

OMG, the thread you posted on the Trip Planning forum, PaddlinMadeline, has got me all riled up. ;-) Just posted something I probably shouldn't have, but oh well.

I guess there is a reason the canoeing with kids forum exists.

Vickie, Canoearoo, TuscaroraBorealis, and BWPaddler have all taken toddlers or babies. They will have great advice for you. I already gave mine...just be sure to take a trip that's suited to your child's level and not the adult's. We went in last year at Lizz and made it as far as Horseshoe. So not real far, but we had a great time. Kids were 12 and 3. Oh and the adults should know...one carries all the crap and one watches the kids is pretty much how it goes. ;-)

Great advice. Thanks. We use a diaper service in Minneapolis that also has compostables. I will get there opinion as well. Any thoughts on a Child/eco friendly insect spray?

quote nojobro: "OMG, the thread you posted on the Trip Planning forum, PaddlinMadeline, has got me all riled up. ;-) Just posted something I probably shouldn't have, but oh well.
"

Heh, Nola. Can't wait to see what you posted.... =)

quote mirth: "

quote nojobro: "OMG, the thread you posted on the Trip Planning forum, PaddlinMadeline, has got me all riled up. ;-) Just posted something I probably shouldn't have, but oh well.
"

Heh, Nola. Can't wait to see what you posted.... =)"

Several people were implying little children shouldn't go because they won't remember it. I think that is the most asinine reason of all. I'm sure I could have said it nicer, though. ;-)

quote PaddlinMadeline: "Great advice. Thanks. We use a diaper service in Minneapolis that also has compostables. I will get there opinion as well. Any thoughts on a Child/eco friendly insect spray?
"

Picardian-based (spell?) rather than deet-based insect spray is better. Permethrin sprayed clothing is pretty good, but not if your kid sucks on the clothing. Know your child. Wash exposed skin before bedtime (wet wipe wash is ok, IMO).

As for the compostables...how long do they take to break down? I'm sure if people saw a diaper in the latrine they'd think it was a regular diaper and it would give parents traveling with little ones a bad name. That is the appeal, to me, of the gDiapers...they don't quite look like regular diapers and can be opened up to let the inside fluff out, which aids decomposition (and is what allows them to be "flushable"). The drawback that I see for gDiapers in the BW is that they require a cloth outer covering, which could get wet easily in a BW-like setting.

I'm glad you didn't let the negative nancies in your other thread get you down. ;-)

I am new to the Internet side of the BW. Its a great tool. I really like and appreciate the info. Thanks. I am so excited to introduce our daughter to nature. We took her to Crosby-manitou at 3 months and it was really great. Next step BW.

As for the compostables...how long do they take to break down?

from what I researched.. left alone 3 months, but if you cut them up and rip them up they will be gone in a month. and if you cut and rip them up before putting them in no one will know what they are. I experimented in the past without ripping one up (3 years ago) and it did take 3 months for the non-riped up disintegrate out in an open field (on our property). But these newer ones are suppose to compost even better. I may try expermenting again this spring with the new ones. I hope our oldest will be out of pull ups by this summer, but if not.. this may be an option.



btw people who tell others not to bring there babies/toddlers into the winderness have never even tried. Our ancesters have been doing it since the beginning of time.. and they didn't even have PFDs!

welcome paddleinmadeline.

We started taking our youngest when she as 2.5. It was busy, but enjoyable for us all. Others have given you good advice on the diapers.



Napping on a portage.

The portage nap picture is really great! I am very excited to slow down and explore smaller areas.

PaddlinMadeline,

Glad you were directed to this forum early on. The thread you started in the Listening Post forum has certainly taken on a life of its own.

Have a good trip with the kiddos. If my wife would let me take mine when they were that young I'd do it. As it is, my son's going on his first canoe trip this summer at the tender young age of 10. I doubt my daughter (turning 7 in a month) will let me make her wait that long.

Here are some links that you might be interested in regarding some inexpensive gear for your little one.

portable booster seat




I searched and searched for a rain suit product like this and I cannot say enough how impressed I am with the following company. I placed my order on a Saturday and received it Monday.

Rip stop nylon, breathable one piece rain suit.

Cool rainsuit - kind of like the old REI ones that I used, but does that one have a hood? Or what do you do for their heads? LOVE the little chair, very cute.

quote BWPaddler: "Cool rainsuit - kind of like the old REI ones that I used, but does that one have a hood? Or what do you do for their heads? LOVE the little chair, very cute."

Yes it has a hood. Your picture is why I searched so hard :)

I'm glad someone is still making them. Once kids start using the latrine, probably two pieces is better, but the toddler age a 1-piece is so helpful for the crawling/wobbling/investigating ages :) Looks well made and I'm guessing you'll get a lot of use out of it.

Ya that rain suit is really great. Thank you very much. Enjoy the weather.

A few pics from our trip

Nice photos, thanks for sharing!

It was a great trip! Very simple. Stayed at our site mostly. A group of forest services guys were at the next site up so we heard lots of great campfire songs. Had lots of fun playing in the water. Can't even complain about the bugs and rain. Gave us a reason to play in the tent. The second night the northern lights were amazing! Thanks all for the advice. Sorry for the late pictures.

Just a quick side note. We hiked out all our compostable diapers. Not s big deal.

Yay!!! Thanks for showing us the pics... what's the plan for this year :)

Great picts. Maybe I missed it, but which lake did you end up
at?

We made it to Upper Pauness and a storm was coming in so we set up at the spot straight across the lake from the LIS river.

quote BWPaddler: "Yay!!! Thanks for showing us the pics... what's the plan for this year :)"

I was reading a thread about beach sites and I saw one on Seagull that looked great. Had everything we need. Beach, a little rock point for fishing and relaxing. Its in a little bay so maybe a little extra privacy. Anybody know anything about Seagull? I think our plan is sometime in Aug. Going to Jay cook for Memorial weekend.

How about you? Any good trips this summer?