Rules for Sailing with a Baby

What changed, what stayed the same, and how we plan to keep things safe and (mostly) sane at sea.

When we decided to return to our sailboat with our baby in tow, we knew things would be different—and our approach to sailing would have to change. Things that once felt like adventure, like getting caught out in a squall or arriving without a backup anchorage, now feel a little reckless.

Sailing with a baby requires more structure, clearer boundaries, and a lower tolerance for unnecessary risks—because our newest crew member depends on us to keep her safe and comfortable.

Over the years, we’ve developed plenty of informal rules for living aboard and sailing together—guidelines that help us make decisions and reduce stress. these rules have helped keep us on the same page even when we are struggling under pressure or with decision fatigue.

Now, as we imagine life afloat with a little one, those rules need to evolve. Some are being tweaked, others are becoming non-negotiable, and new ones are emerging—all of them designed to keep boat life manageable, safe, and fun for everyone and to give us the confidence that we’re prioritizing what matters most. Even before we set sail again, having these shared expectations helps us feel more prepared.

At the end of the day, the overarching rule is simple: we’ll prioritize safety and comfort over speed, schedule, or budget.

These are the rules we plan to follow (or try to) when sailing with our baby.

🧭 General Safety and Sailing Rules

Two yeses to sail, one no to stay
If one of us doesn’t feel good about the conditions, we don’t go. This rule served us well before baby and it is even more important now. It takes the pressure off one person to “tough it out” and prioritizes mutual comfort and safety.

We don’t sail tired
Sleep deprivation is part of the parenting deal—but when you add sailing to the mix, it can quickly become dangerous. If one of us had a rough night with the baby, we either shorten the route, delay departure, or scrap the day’s plan altogether.

Head for protection if winds are forecast above 20 knots
This was always near our threshold for comfort and a discussion was usually had when weather above 20 knots was predicted, especially mid-week when we are working from the boat. With the baby aboard it’s now a firm line. Strong wind sailing is not worth the stress (or potential mess) anymore.

We always have a backup anchorage or marina plannned
We never assume we’ll be happy with our first-choice anchorage. With a baby, a rolly night or exposed spot is a recipe for a sleepless disaster. Having a fallback helps us avoid panic or pushing on when we really shouldn’t.

No tricky docking solo
If conditions or the marina look challenging, both adults need to be hands-on. We avoid situations where one of us is managing lines and fenders while the other is stuck on full-time baby duty. To this end, having somewhere where we can lash the kid down is essential, in our case a secured baby car seat is the weapon of choice. Bonus points if we can complete tricky manouvres during nap time!a

Anchor early
Late arrivals and babies can be chaotictheir special brand of chaos intensifies as the day goes on. To avoid a perfect storm of chaos, we aim to be settled and on the hook by early afternoon so we have time to unwind, prep dinner, and get into our nighttime routine without scrambling.

Shorter sailing days (ideally 4 hours max)
We try to keep passages short and sweet. Anything longer becomes a logistical and emotional juggle for everyone. If we need to cover a long distance, we break it into manageable chunks with stops along the way or babies disembark.

👶 Baby-Specific Rules

Baby wears a life jacket anytime she’s on deck or in the dinghy.
No exceptions. Even for quick dinghy rides or calm anchorages, we stick to this rule to keep it consistent.

One adult is always “on baby duty.”
When sailing, we divide responsibilities. One person focuses on the boat, the other on the baby. No one is doing both at once (unless we’re parked at anchor with a cold drink in hand).

All sailing maneuvres now begin with securing the baby
Before hoisting, dropping, reefing, tacking, or adjusting sails, the baby must be securely placed—either in a carrier, strapped in the cockpit, or safely down below. It’s too easy for one distraction to turn into a risky situation.

Mum and baby skip longer or overnight passages.
For multi-day passages or overnighters, we opt to hop off and meet the boat at the next port if possible. It’s safer, less stressful, and allows one adult to focus entirely on sailing.

Plan around nap times.
We aim to start sailing either during or just before nap time (for peaceful stretches); shortly after nap time is also an option (to avoid tired meltdowns underway). Sailing while wrestling with a tired cranky baby is not our idea of a good time. Of course, babies don’t always follow the plan—but having one helps.

Create a baby-safe zone in the cockpit.
We set up a padded, shaded area where the baby can safely sit or lie down while we’re underway. This is her “deck space,” and it gives her a sense of normalcy even while the boat is moving.

Keep baby gear ready to go.
We maintain a grab-and-go baby bag at all times—with diapers, wipes, snacks, clothes, sunscreen, and a hat—so we’re never scrambling to get ready for shore time or a dinghy trip.

⚓ Onboard Living Rules

Secure everything—even more than before.
Drawers, hatches, galley gear, cleaning supplies, power cords—if it can open, slide, pinch, tangle, or hurt we baby-proof it. Babies are excellent at finding whatever you missed.

Lee cloths on all beds
Lee cloths in the baby’s bed stop her from getting into too much trouble, but adding lee cloths as dividers in our beds means that, if necessary, the baby can share the bed without worrying about rolling orr colliding in the night. These keep adults and baby safe during naps and overnight passages.

Always lock cabin doors and companionways.
Especially when we’re at anchor. Babies can become mobile faster than you think.

Padded corners and soft flooring.
We added foam tiles or soft mats in key areas like the saloon and cockpit to create safe zones for crawling and playtime.

Fans and airflow matter.
We keep our baby’s sleep area well-ventilated and mosquito-free, especially in warm climates.

🧠 Mindset + Relationship Rules

Lower expectations
We don’t expect full night’s sleep, gourmet meals, or productive work days. If we sail, feed the baby, and there aren’t too many tears, we call that a win.

Celebrate the small wins
A successful diaper change underway? Gold star. Baby napping while we anchor? Legendary.

Each adult gets one “emergency break” per day.
No questions asked. If one of us needs to step away—whether for ten minutes or an hour—we honor that. Sanity matters.

Give each other grace
Sailing with a baby is pretty awesome but it can also be intense. We try to communicate honestly, ask for help, and apologize when needed.

Keep the adventure alive (just in smaller doses)
We might not be crossing oceans this season, but we’re still exploring. Slower days, closer anchorages, shorter sails—it all counts.

These rules aren’t rigid or revolutionary. They’re simply the framework that helps us keep sailing while adjusting to life with a baby. They give us clarity when we’re tired, direction when things go sideways, and (hopefully) the freedom to actually enjoy this chaotic season.