Dear People,
This discussion is all very inspiring, but much of it misses the
point[s]. While Simone didn't say exactly what mountains she is working
in, I assumed from her location that she was speaking of the White
Mountains in New Hampshire. I have some experience with those mountains,
and they are notorious for difficult terrain, uncertain footing, and
unpredictable weather in every month of the year. Especially in the
alpine zone (or to get to the alpine zone), where Simone says she
works. Hence my advice (nothing I have heard here has changed that)
that a 3-month old infant is too young. The happy stories of taking
young children "for a hike" may or may not be relevant to Simone's
question, depending on what kind of a hike you are speaking of.
Also not relevant are the discussions of the [very great] rewards of
sharing one's scientific activities with one's children and the
responses they can give.
Also very much not relevant are the invocations of how our ancestors
lived, and gave birth, and raised children in the wild, unless you want
to also bring into the discussion the changes over time in infant
mortality rates.
Child's safety trumps all else.
I would be very much interested in hearing from other faculty about how
they deal with the safety and liability issues arising from taking
children in the field, in the care of students under their supervision.
I suspect that safety concerns in places like chemistry labs, would
immediately rule out the presence of small children there, but field
work may (sometimes) invoke different images.
(Parenthetically, I don't usually supervise students doing field work,
so the issue hasn't come up for me. Most of the students I know who do
field work do so on oceanographic research vessels, where children are
definitely not going to be taken along.)
So, to faculty, how do you deal with student safety while working in the
field?
Hal Caswell
Senior Scientist
Biology Department MS-34
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole MA 02543
USA
On 4/9/12 11:16 AM, Sarah Jack Hinners wrote:
OK, back to Simone's original question.... I didn't actually take my babies
into the field with me, but I took my firstborn on his first hike when he was
13 days old and many many times thereafter.
1. Front carriers: Front carriers allow you to take a baby pretty much
anywhere, snug, with their head supported. The carrier I had (I think it was a
Baby Bjorn) had a pretty thick layer of padding between me and the baby, so I
can't imagine him ever getting wet from my sweat, but he was close and small
enough that I could zip my jacket (a size too big for just me) around us both
if it started to rain. On longer hikes, I carried a backpack as well, with
diapers, blankets, etc. So you've got a baby on the front and backpack for gear
on the back. Not super-fun, but doable if you're determined.
2. The question that I'm stuck on is what to do with baby once you're up there.
If it's cold and wet, you're going to want to keep her on you, but can you do
your field work that way? I'm imagining one of those little portable baby
shelters and lots of blankets but that 's no good if it's windy...
3. Once baby is bigger (at least 6 months and sitting up on her own) you can
switch to a baby backpack, which can carry gear and baby. Ours is a German
brand (Dieter or something). Definitely try on lots of backpacks because some
are NOT comfortable, and what's comfortable for one person may be torture for
another. I also know lots of people with Kelty backpacks too, but I never found
them comfortable. By that age, you'll have to look out for a small mobile
person when you're up there doing your field work and you will get less done.
4. Diapers: I used cloth and I always just carried a couple of big ziplock bags
in my backpack for the dirties and wipes. I think disposable would be better in
your case, as they will wick the moisture away from baby's skin better.
5. Keeping warm and dry: lots of changes of clothes. Fortunately, you can carry
about 3 changes of clothes for a baby that size in a space about the size of a
grapefruit. I wouldn't use wool - it will itch a baby's skin. But there's lots
of cozy fleece baby clothes out there. And a blanket for if she's really cold.
I'd like to support Dave's (I think) comment here - for ALL of our evolutionary
history, women have had to give birth and then get up and keep going . The best
place for a small baby to be is close to her mother. If her mother happens to
be climbing mountains, baby doesn't care. She's warm, she's got mom close, and
the milk is right there. The bigger the baby gets, the harder it is to get
things done - small babies can be toted pretty much anywhere and just sleep
through it. And being physically active 3 months after giving birth is how you
get back into shape, as long as you listen to your body and take it slow.
(Taking it slow will reduce the sweating issue as well.)
Simone, I wish you luck. I agree with those who say don't let people pressure
you into doing field work if you 're not ready, but if it's what you want,
you'll find a way.
Sarah
Sarah Jack Hinners, PhD
Senior Research Analyst
Metropolitan Research Center
College of Architecture and Planning
University of Utah
375 S 1530 E rm 226
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
(801)5851026
________________________________
From: Liz Pryde<elizabethpr...@gmail.com>
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Sent: Sunday, April 8, 2012 10:19 PM
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Backpacking with an infant?
Hi Simone,
The choice here is yours but, you know, if you were able to wait even a few
more months before taking the little one into the field it would be a
better/easier scenario for all involved. The time goes by very very
quickly. Perhaps this season, if you absolutely HAVE to collect your data,
you could have a family member take care of junior, or put her in child
care with bottles of formula/breastmilk. I'm not sure about the US, but
child care in Australia has been fantastic for my little one (she's now 18
months) and very reasonably priced.
Like I said, it's your decision, but it does 'seem' from the outside that
it may be good for you to take a little more time thinking about where your
priorities lie (I'm sorry if that's the wrong assumption). Again, I'm not
sure about the situation in the US, but you really shouldn't feel pressured
to get your work done at such extremes just to move forward in your career.
I know there are a lot of older female scientists out there with these
kinds of 'hard core' stories but most of them I find very unbalanced (with
great careers) and with kids who have grown up with a fair bit of
resentment (and other issues).
It's really up to our generation of mothers (and fathers) to change this
type of impossible and sub-standard expectation of parents. Who is
expecting you to go out and do this work with a 3-month-old? i had to make
a few small sideways shifts, but I have managed to find an exceptional lab
who is at the cutting-edge of their field, yet because the lab is run by
young-ish parents they have realistic expectations of their staff - and we
produce excellent work. Is there no such support for you or for any
colleagues you know? After all, it won't be long before you and your cohort
will be the ones running labs and making the rules.
Finally, have you thought about your physical health here? Weight bearing
and hiking for long periods of time so soon after giving birth can leave
you with incontinence/prolapse as young as 45 (if you had a natural birth
and especially if you decide to have another child). And can compromise the
repair of your abdominal muscles. Have a look at the stats for these types
of complications. They have rapidly been on the increase in younger women
since the Eigthies.
Perhaps I am projecting my own experiences onto you here - and if so, just
ignore the above. It may be that you feel that this is how you are happiest
- and the pressure is coming from you.
If so, I hope you can find a way to keep everyone happy and healthy (and
dry) and I wish you lots of luck.
All the best,
Liz
On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 2:03 AM, Simone S. Whitecloud<
simone.s.whitecl...@dartmouth.edu> wrote:
I'd love to pick up some pointers on how to bring my 3 month old into the
field. I work in the alpine zone, so cool temperatures, wind and rain are
the issue. Any favorite gear items you found helpful? I'm already finding
she is totally soaked by the time we get to the peak from my own sweat.
Know
where to buy wool onesies? Tips on packing out dirty diapers?
Thanks for your input,
Simone Whitecloud
PhD Candidate, McPeek Lab
Dartmouth College
