Advice from the "Outdoorsy-Types" Is Welcomed...

I think that a really good stroller is a great asset. You can use it as a high chair and just a seat when your outside and don't want her just lying on the ground. Also, obviously a pack n play or some sort of portable bed. A carrier for hiking and boating, probably not one of the backpack kind, that would make me nervous on a boat, might mess with your balance.
Try to bring along multi-taskers... that helps reduce the load a bit.
Oh, and don't forget the sunblock!
Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful

My family goes camping quite a bit in the summer. We are the tent kind of people though. And even though we have been at it for a while now we still manage to forget some thing and at the same time pack too much. My advice is to make a detailed list and revisit it often until packing day then you'll have less problems forgeting anything.

The most important thing to bring is a good first aid kit with everything to diagnose and treat everything from a fever to a splinter. And watch out for those ticks they are thick as thieves this year, make sure to check each other over throughly and often, especially in the hair.

A good way to keep your child off the ground and not be hauling around a lot of stuff is to take a rope wrap it around two trees so there is a two lines running long side each other, then take a soft blanket and fold it in threes over the two lines, use safety pins at the top and bottom going through the three layers, then place baby in the pouch it makes between the ropes and brace ropes apart from each other with a forked stick so baby is not smothered. Baby will be swaddled by the hammock and can be rocked to sleep that way.

G. - My advice...If it's your anniversary, leave the babysitter and friend at home to take care of the baby while you and your hubby enjoy alone time - that's what anniversaries are all about, romance!

Hi G.! As a resort owner to a hunting and fishing camp, I can tell you the kinds of things I see people often forget. You will want to call the resort and see exactly what they supply first. We supply all bed linens but do not supply bath towels. Also, garbage bags, charcoal for the grill, lighter fluid, salt & pepper, laundry detergent, chapstick, and hand soap/sanitizer are often forgotten items by our guests. Some places let you bring your own firewood, too, but with the price of gas, it may just be better to buy it when you get there. Have fun! What a great memory you are going to have for the baby book! Take lots of pictures.

Hi G.! I agree with bringing a backpack for the necessities. Make sure you have sunscreen and a sun hat and extra diapers!! Light weight long sleeve shirts would be good for her if you can't find a good bug repellant. There used to be a lemon eucaliptis (sp) cream that was great for ticks and mosquitos but we can't find it anymore. Bring some ziplock baggies to store the used diapers in until you return to the cabin and can dispose of them. My son was 19 months the first time we took him backpacking. My husband bought mosquito netting to make a 'tent' over the kid carrier when we were hiking to keep the black flies and mosquitos off. We built a tent out of the netting when our daughter of 3 months old so that she could lie on a sleeping mat and be protected while we set up camp. Be sure to bring extra water for yourself if you are nursing. You'll need much more than normal when you're out hiking or in the sun while on the boat. Have fun:)
L.

Ok. We just returned from a week in the cabins at the lake, so here is my Packing List, which I modify every year to fit our needs. I modified it slightly for you, as your daughter is younger than our son.

Pack Ahead:
peditrician's phone number
number and address of ER to nearest hospital to cabins
outdoor toys
safety plugs for the outlets (if she's crawling yet).
cabinet locks (non-screw-in kinds) if crawling
bug spray / I bought the lotion and the wipes too
shampoos, soaps, lotions
beach towels
sunscreen
swim suits
swim diapers, pool or lake floating toy or whatever
baby's feeding stuff (bottles, etc)
magazines/books for you
baby toys/books
bath toys/baby tub (if you use one at home)
diapers, wipes, diaper cream
lawn chairs
clothes
baby's clothes (pack for variable weather)
fishing gear

Pack The Night Before:
medications, Rx, general, both adult and baby meds, mulitivitamins
can opener, good kitchen knives, good scissors (These things might not be needed where you are going to be, but at our cabins, they are worth their weight in gold!)
camera!!! check for extra batteries, film / digital card
ziploc bags, especially freezer bags
baking/cooking supplies if needed or wanted
pack-n-play or portable bassinet (or some other sleeping arrangemnet for baby)

Pack That Morning:
food for the cupboards
food for the fridge
food for the freezer
essentials for nighttime routine (blankie, lovey, etc)
toothbrushes and toothpaste

We always forget a handful of things, which is why I started making these lists a few years ago. Obviously, this isn't going to be exactly what you will need for your trip, but maybe you can get some ideas from it.

Also, you might want to make sure you have extra cash on hand if there are any small stores or vending machines nearby (there aren't any where we go).

And your babysitter would probably be amazed if you brought something special for her too, something for her to enjoy while you are enjoying your daughter and giving her a break occasionally.

A few notes: bring more than one pair of shoes if you are going to be hiking, in case one pair gets wet.
We always bring flour and cooking oil with us because we do fish fries every day we can when we're out there.

Have fun!

Great suggestions from everyone! only 2 things I would add are; 1. extra baby wipes which can be used for hands, face and a "freshener" for you if its hot and 2. TOILET PAPER!!! You can never have too much of that on hand! LOL!

We've taken our 4-month old on two camping trips already, though we were at campgrounds in our pop-up and not a cabin. We take an infant life preserver (make sure it's rated for infants under 30 lbs!). The front pack is a must for hiking, unless you'll be on trails that are smooth enough for the stroller. (We actually left the stroller at home since it's so bulky and just use the front pack.) We put her in outfits with pants and socks and a sunhat and then use just a little bit of sunscreen on her arms. (Most sunscreens say not to use under 6 months, but our pediatrician said it's okay to use a very small amount now.) We take her pack and play so she can take naps outside if it's nice and we're out. I use clothes pins to put a light blanket over the top to keep bugs and sun out. Our last trip, our friends brought a little kiddie pool, so we had a swim suit along for her, but lake water may still be a little on the cool side. We also have a small backpack to throw in a bottle and extra diaper for taking on the hikes so we don't need to take the full diaper bag. We have a bumbo seat, so we usually toss that in so she can sit anywhere we are. Overall, just take what you'd normally take when you're out and about with baby. Yes, it is amazing how much stuff to take along for such a little person!

I agree with the bare minimum. Remember sunscreen and some bug spray (for you!) A sun hat for the baby would be good if she'll leave it on. I'm from "up north" so if you want to send me a message and tell me where you'll be at, I can let you know what's nearby in case you forget things or need things to do :-)

Um... I'm a little confused. Sorry :-) So is baby going hiking, boating and fishing with you? Or is baby staying behind with the babysitter and having basically a normal routine, taking a bottle, etc? If baby is staying behind with the sitter, I agree you can just bring her normal toys and a stroller, and babysitter can entertain her well. PackNPlay would be great for naps, changing diapers, etc. If you are thinking of taking baby hiking with you... I'd suggest some sort of front carrier, along with a sun hat, and full-body-covering outfits (for sun and mosquitos), along with some kind of provision for cold wind and/or light rain. Lately I've been using a front-carrier with my 3 mo old girl and a light-weight swaddling blanket that I drape over her (for sun protection and to let air circulate to keep her cool). I agree with the packpack to carry things. Do you really want to go fishing/boating with baby? Keep in mind the sun factor (reflected off water even if cloudy) and also that someone will have to hold her the entire time... Anyway, have fun, and don't worry too much about it! ;-)

If you are boating with the baby you need to bring an infant lifejacket or check that the resort has one.

If hiking a front carrier will be needed as 4 months is a bit too small for a baby backpack (not enough neck support for the rocking back and forth of hiking). We felt comfortable starting our son in a baby backpack around 6 months for short times (and the sling for longer hikes).

I am an outdoors in any weather type of person so rain gear would be a must for me. Bug spray, lots of sunscreen, refillable water bottles, sturdy shoes, daypack, easy to carry snacks for you. Just bring enough baby gear to allow your baby to follow her general routine. I know that when travelling with infants it does sometimes feel you are overpacking but it is nice to have what you need at hand and not be spending your vacation running out to the store. You have a cabin for your homebase so it isn't like you are going to be hauling everything around. Just pack what you feel comfortable with in terms of baby gear.

I would have to say that a 4 month old doesn't "need" much. A good stroller, life jacket, and a baby backpack. The rest would the necessities, diapers, wipes, bottles and formula (if applicable). Maybe a pack-n-play and a couple of toys and books.

You may want to consider using a regular backpack for baby's needs instead of a "regular" diaper bag. This way it can be thrown right over your back.

Enjoy your trip, sounds like fun!

We recently took a 3 month old to Hawaii, because we were flying we stuck to the bare esentials. We stayed in a condo that had lots of things.

to bring:
Baby clothes - 2 outfits per day and pajamas for each night
sun hat
swimsuit/water proof pants to put over diaper
blankets and toys for tummy time
car seat
sun block
baby soap/shampoo and washcloth
baby safe bug repelent (pure vanilla extract)
Infant carrier
portable crib (check if cabin has one, our condo did)
infant life jacket (make sure it is coast guard approved)
diapers/wipes

Sun screen, bug repellant, games (in case it rains), if you like to read pack a good book or two.
Are you eating at the "cabin" or eating out? If in make sure you have foods that are easy to cook, not time consuming, and if you drink coffee make sure you have filters for the coffee maker that I'm sure is provided to you.
Relax, enjoy, and Happy Anniversary!