Mums and bubs bond on cruise

When Terri Harford was thinking about a safe and social place to take her baby it clicked - why not take her on a boat?

About 90 mums, babies and children gathered on the Lakeland Queen yesterday to take part in the second Mums and Bubs Cruise on Lake Rotorua.

Mrs Harford started the Mums and Bubs Cruise in October to give local mums a new and safe activity to share with their children.

"I don't think there is a lot of places mums can go with their babies.

"You can go to places like the park but you have to think about where you can feed them and change them."

Mrs Harford, an employee of Lakeland Queen, said as a result she invited her friends from antenatal classes and baby groups on a one-hour cruise.

The cruise grew popular as friends of friends invited one another to come along.

"I think we will keep doing it every holidays," Mrs Harford said.

She said mums supporting each other through things like coffee catch-ups, baby groups and the Mums and Bubs Cruise were always beneficial.

She said all children were different but it helped to share advice.

"Sometimes it's just good to get another opinion for something you didn't think about. Like my baby is only sleeping for 40 minutes at a time should I keep them up longer, and all those sorts of things?"

Local mum Jane Trask said she enjoyed going on the cruise because it was safe for her baby and a great way to catch up with other mums.

"It's a really good idea. It's nice to see all the other mums and you have to stay for the whole hour [on the boat]."

During the cruise yesterday all the doors were locked to make sure no children were in danger of going over board.

The cruise included music, a morning tea and Hammy the Clown.