Camping with an 8Month-old

I would absolutely bring along a white noise machine. If you don't have one, they're about $20 at Target. This made ALL the difference and let our little one sleep at night and for naps, despite the noises from other campers, cars, animals, etc.

Beyond that, she LOVED it! She would've happily just sat in the pack and play and watch the world go by in the sunshine :) I just wish it were going to be as easy now that she's almost two....

Have fun!

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Go for it! We went camping in a tent for the first time with our son when he was 11 months. It was fun, I didn't bring a pack n play, I would just set up a large blanket for him on the grass to crawl on. I did bring a portable high chair/booster seat, so he could sit in it and eat without running away... Also, in addition to the tent, we brought a gazibo to put over one of the tables they supply at the campground. We set up a kitchen there and it was nice not to have the mosquitos in there while eating and just to sit and relax without having to worry about the bugs for. The gazibo was nice, but there is no floor, so some bugs would get in anyway.
Last year we bought a really large tent for like 10 people, and we set it up like a studio apartment, on one side we had the beds and on the other side some chairs, table and the cooler to have the kitchen. That was nice because it was all one piece, with floor under the whole thing, so no bugs got in. That was nice, when the mosquitos were really crazy we would hide there from them and just sit in our chairs in our little kitchen area and enjoy a beer, juice or milk....depending on age.... ha he... So, go and have fun.

We went camping when our son was young and we took a playpen. I felt comforted by know that when he would pull himself up he was in a safe environment. Also he did not need to wear shoes in the playpen.

S.

We found that most of the people who said we were nuts to do it w/ our babe either didn't have kids, didn't like camping, or at the very least never tried it.

I say go for it. Although when we did do it w/ our 8 month old about a year ago, we got socked w/ a freak cold spell in the middle of Indiana. Luckily we had enough warm clothes but we ended up all sleeping together on an air mattress. We're not accuctomed to co-sleeping so I ended upnot sleeping so well. But hey, who sleeps well with a baby anyway?

We love camping, and have done it with all three of our kids at various ages, including the 6-10 month old range. I would recommend getting Skin So Soft by Avon for bug repellent- it's a little oily, but it works great, and there's no DEET!
My other recommendation would be to bring a baby backpack carrier- it can serve as a stand, so your baby can watch everything that's going on while you're setting up shop or have a campfire, but you don't have to worry about him trying to get into those things :) And the backpack is great for hiking anyhow, so it's probably the best thing you can bring. If you don't have one, try craigslist- I got my newest one on there, and sold my two old ones there as well.
I think at some point, we actually brought a pack and play, but found that the back pack was way more useful.
Best of luck!
Enjoy!

I agree with the other posters- bring a pack n play. We've been taking my daughter camping since before she was a year old and we have a blast every time. She loves it.
Have fun!

I haven't been camping with a little one, but I do want to recommend checking for ticks every so often. They seem to be pretty bad this year. We have found one on each of my kids from just playing outside. (Along with one crawling on me, my husband, and inside the car!) Otherwise... have fun!

We are going in a few weeks with our 9 month old and 3 year old. I would just recommend a pack n play. The campsites tend to be more dirt than grass so not ideal for crawling around. Also if you plan on walking/hiking I would suggest a carrier of some type. You can probably borrow a hiking one from a friend. You will never know what it is like until your try so boo to all those who say you are nuts :)

Hi M.,

We do a bit of camping also and have great times. The only other item I took along was a travel playpen. That way if I needed to take care of extra business, like cooking, I didn't have to worry about him running off. Other wise we let him enjoy the outdoor right along with the rest of us.
I hope you have a good time,
J. J.

We love camping even with babies. They love it too! Just make sure you check themas you would yourself for ticks. Aside that enjoy!

We went camping with our 8 month old in 2007. I think it was easier for us because we have an RV, but we did stay on a campground with no electric or water hookups, so it was almost like we were in a tent. One thing I forgot to bring and kicked myself later for: Baby Tylenol. My son got 4 new teeth that weekend, and it was really hard not having the Tylenol. You should also bring a stroller so you can take walks. It still gets pretty cold at night, make sure you have enough blankets, and if possible an air mattress or something to keep your baby off of the ground while sleeping. Maybe even bring your playpen. That's all I can think of. Good luck and have a fun weekend!

We took our 3 month old camping last summer but we have a camper, so it was fine. Just bring netting for over his stroller/playpen so he doesnt get mosquito bites.

Netting to keep over the playpen, crib, or anything else that he'll be playing in.

I know you're already gone, but we always need a few outfits a day.

I've camped with kids 3 mos, 9 mos and older. Remember humans used to "camp" 24/7. Just have to be vigilant and be careful with fire and cold.

I've never been camping with a baby, but have been with Cub Scouts in a tent. They suggested knit caps to wear at night, I thought oh, it won't get that cold. Trust me, it does and will. Take hats for everyone including you and your husband. if you have an SUV with an outlet in the back, take a hot pot to boil water for tea, coffee, etc for yourselves. Wear lots of layers, its easy to take off clothes if you get hot, Thermal, even this time of year. It will be cold at night.A blanket under your air mattress helps. A few pairs of socks too. Hope you get this in time! Although you've probably been camping way more than me! Have fun!

Hi M.!

When my now 17 yr old son was only 10 months we took him camping and we had a ball! Two things I recommend...a travel play yard(pen) to sleep and play in when your cooking, cleaning, etc. and ask your doc about a benedryl type product, just in case. My son woke up one morning with a dumbo size ear (and his ears were already pretty large). We took him to the ranger station and they gave us some allergy medicine which helped - it didn't seem to bother him any but boy did it scare us! Apparently from a nite-time bug-bite. Otherwise, just enjoy and take a lot of pics for the future! Now my 3 kids 17, 13 and 6 have gone camping every summer since and they absolutely love it!

Good luck and have fun!

M.

take poison ivy wipes with you. they are easy to carry and can ease the results of an unfortunate encounter w/poison ivy or oak.