Kids and Wheeling

[obi_krash]

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: I know this is a subject to much debate. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, of course. What I am looking for here is any information anyone has on the subject or professional thoughts.

So lil_obi is a now a year old and we are itching to get back on the trails. I know a few people have talked about taking their kids wheeling with them and haven't had any problems. Heck, at WAW'15 Will brought his little guy along and we hit some pretty decent bumps.

I am looking to get some information on taking kids wheeling - we are talking about mild trails. I wont be taking him up any major stuff till he is older, mainly because it gives me an excuse to have people jump out the rig to take pictures (lol). The reason why I am opening this up is that I have read somewhere that kid's spines are not fused or ready for jostling till they are about 2 years old.

So does anyone have any advice, concerns, professional opinions - really anything that can soundly support when it is okay to start taking your kids out wheeling with you?

 

[maillet282]

posting here so I Sub toget the same info since I will be in the same boat with my little one turning 1 in November

 

[jg8992]

I would think as long as lil dudes strapped it good in a really nicely padded car seat he'll be fine. Remember there was I time when cars didn't even have any seatbelts lol

 

[obi_krash]

I would think as long as lil dudes strapped it good in a really nicely padded car seat he'll be fine. Remember there was I time when cars didn't even have any seatbelts lol

See, I am not sure if that is just how we think as guys or if that is true, lol.
I honestly thought the same thing. He gets strapped in and down pretty good in the seat - but he does get bounced around a bit when going over bumps. Honestly I was hoping someone might have asked a Pediatrician or something at some point.

That is my next step to be honest. Next time we have a visit I am getting them to give me an answer regarding it.

 

[maillet282]

If rhe doctors at my clinic have a few mjnutes today i am thinking abouy geting their opinions about this. And will post up

 

[C3po]

I distribute spine implants to Ortho and Neuro surgeons and Sub Specialists in Peds. Im trained in most things spine/surgical related but am no expert.

True the spine and skull and pretty much most of the important bones (that protect the votal organs) are not fully "hardened".

But if you're just crawling around on the easy stuff, I say have it.

Anything fast or severely off camber, probably not....

Keep in mind, anything can happen (even on the easy stuff) and if it does you'll be a couple hours in the woods from any help.

But then again, I dropped my cousin off the changing table and he turned out fine, kids are tough...

 

[XTP_Dyer]

I distribute spine implants to Ortho and Neuro surgeons and Sub Specialists in Peds. Im trained in most things spine/surgical related but am no expert.

True the spine and skull and pretty much most of the important bones (that protect the votal organs) are not fully "hardened".

But if you're just crawling around on the easy stuff, I say have it.

Anything fast or severely off camber, probably not....

Keep in mind, anything can happen (even on the easy stuff) and if it does you'll be a couple hours in the woods from any help.

But then again, I dropped my cousin off the changing table and he turned out fine, kids are tough...

What exactly do for a living? Job description and a little more details? Just curious.

I would be hesitant to do this just because I would feel like even in a very nice car seat, his head would be susceptible to jolts. Again this IMO, but at this stage in development, the bones aren't fully strong nor are the muscles like that of an older child. While our bodies realize to tense and resist these jolts, his body doesn't quite function fully and so every little jolt is sending him bopping around. I would be worried about spinal damage..that's a major pathway for nerves..too much risk in my eyes.

Sorry, I know this probably isn't what you want to hear. I'm not an expert, I only did two years of undergrad PT, so my knowledge is pretty limited.

 

[C3po]

What exactly do for a living? Job description and a little more details? Just curious.

I would be hesitant to do this just because I would feel like even in a very nice car seat, his head would be susceptible to jolts. Again this IMO, but at this stage in development, the bones aren't fully strong nor are the muscles like that of an older child. While our bodies realize to tense and resist these jolts, his body doesn't quite function fully and so every little jolt is sending him bopping around. I would be worried about spinal damage..that's a major pathway for nerves..too much risk in my eyes.

Sorry, I know this probably isn't what you want to hear. I'm not an expert, I only did two years of undergrad PT, so my knowledge is pretty limited.

Medical device sales.

I create surgeon relationships, negotiate hospital contracts, provide service by attending all surgical procedures where my products are used.

I sell bone, stem cells, titanium surgical instruments and mostly Implants for the spine.

Picture below is from my last case. In the middle is your spinal cord.

Screws connecting to rods are mine.


Blood below.














Youve been warned.








images removed - Prime

 

[granitex]

one is pretty young, even for fire roads, great big old head and little bitty neck. If it is just to get to a camp site is one thing but actual wheeling is something else. Three or four is a much better age, the only thing is that they get bored, and you can only play the same Sponge BoB dvd so many times before you start going a little nuts yourself. I am not a Dr. but I have had my kids out on the trail when they were both in car seats, just both facing forward.

 

[XTP_Dyer]

Medical device sales.

I create surgeon relationships, negotiate hospital contracts, provide service by attending all surgical procedures where my products are used.

I sell bone, stem cells, titanium surgical instruments and mostly Implants for the spine.

Picture below is from my last case. In the middle is your spinal cord.

Screws connecting to rods are mine.


Blood below.














Youve been warned.








Images removed - Prime

You won't gross me out with that. That's awesome! Same career goals. I sent you a PM.

 

[Prime]

I took my daughter wheeling at Windrock in April. I don't wheel easy. She was 7 months old at the time. When she wasn't sleeping, she laughed.

I honestly didn't give it a second thought. And she's now a year old. And she's coming to WENT.

 

[lizardking]

I am a father of 3. I guess that doesn't make me a professional...

My oldest son started at 12. My youngest son started at 5. My daughter hasn't gone yet, but she just turned 5. My daughter gets car sick so I am worried about her being in the truck all day, but I will give it a whirl one of these times.

As far as having an accident that could hurt one of the kids, there is a much higher chance of that happening on the way to the trail. On the trail, we are generally traveling at very safe speeds. I would not try some crazy off camber obstacle where I can end up rolling down a cliff. I have made the kids "watch" while I tried something stupid. Most of the time though I skip the stupid stuff when they are with me.

I am not sure about doing rock gardens with a 1-year-old, but easy trails are probably better than driving down most of the potholed roads in my area.

Maybe a car seat with extra neck support. I know the one we had was like a little cocoon.

I personally would say 4 and up is great family fun. At least my kids think so.

 

[obi_krash]

I am a father of 3. I guess that doesn't make me a professional...

My oldest son started at 12. My youngest son started at 5. My daughter hasn't gone yet, but she just turned 5. My daughter gets car sick so I am worried about her being in the truck all day, but I will give it a whirl one of these times.

As far as having an accident that could hurt one of the kids, there is a much higher chance of that happening on the way to the trail. On the trail, we are generally traveling at very safe speeds. I would not try some crazy off camber obstacle where I can end up rolling down a cliff. I have made the kids "watch" while I tried something stupid. Most of the time though I skip the stupid stuff when they are with me.

I am not sure about doing rock gardens with a 1-year-old, but easy trails are probably better than driving down most of the potholed roads in my area.

Maybe a car seat with extra neck support. I know the one we had was like a little cocoon.

I personally would say 4 and up is great family fun. At least my kids think so.

Dude! I was hoping to hear from you. I haven't seen you since that run back in 2013, the one in January at Rausch. I knew you had kids and had one with you at the time.

 

[obi_krash]

So the general consensus so far has been - 4 and older, or so it seems.
However, there are a few cases where people have gone and it's worked fine - no issues to their kid when they are younger.

 

[TJTJ]

I have seen really little kids wheeling and never heard of a problem, but I could definitely understand the potential.

They do seem to enjoy it at least, and as long as they can see out/you talk to them...so its not just being bounced around alone in a bucket-type experience, its fun for them.

Myself, I would take it pretty easy if they can't walk yet...as they can't really brace themselves/control their motion well yet, etc. Once they're walking, they have a much better idea of what to do in response to motions.

Strapped into the middle of the back seat for example, where ride motions are minimized, and impact dangers are greatly reduced, would be the best location. Its a no brainer that the car seat is about the best you can get....with head bolsters, padding, etc.

A mirror aimed to watch them as you wheel helps head off trouble too.

Saying "WHEEE!!!" a lot seems popular. They apparently love it when there are repetitive sounds and actions.

:kewl:

 

[lizardking]

I think you would be fine with a good car seat. I only meant that I can see the worry of bouncing around at 1 but if they are walking (or soon to walk) I think it would be fine on easy stuff. 2 and 3 are just bad news of everyone in the truck. Not necessarily from a danger perspective but from the total lack of attention span of a 2 or 3 year old and the screaming...

Your experience may vary. If I have learned anything on this crazy ride it is that every kid is different.

 

[caseycamby]

I definitely agree there's a greater chance for an accident, and a much more severe accident at that, on the roads to and fro the trail. I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it.

For the beginning stages of a baby. Most all of their movements are basically just reactions. Also, they're weak and their head is half their size so that makes if difficult as well. However, that's the toddler stage.

In my unprofessional opinion, I'd say around 2 or 3 and start small, and somewhere local to make sure they're interested in it and would like it before you take a trip all the way to Windrock haha