Camping with a Baby

Hi L.. My husband and I are also big camping fans and having a baby or two has never stopped us. Just take plenty of sun screen and insect repellant. My daughter ,who is now 5 loves it and my son Marco ,who is 21 months went for his first time this last summer and he was in heaven. I beleive it's good for them.
V. G

My husband and I camped out in July with my 10 month old. We had a air mattress and she slept in between us, she had lots of fun playing in the tent the next morning. So you shouldn't have to give it up if you enjoy it.

i love to camp also. i went camping when my daughter was only 7 weeks old she loved the fresh air. of course we took a fan just in case it was hot for her and when my boy was only 3 months we went believe it or not the baby's love beening outside and there is no harm taking them camping. hope this helps

you won't have to give it up, promise. Our son was about 9 months when we took him for the first time. We have a king size air mattress and put him between us at night. We went in the summer, but still put him in footy sleepers and blankets on top of him. I would watch him while my husband fished, then my mom watched him while I went and fished with my husband. We even packed the microwave so we could warm up his food and bottles. (we got an electric site). You do have to pack a lot more stuff, but it's worth it giving him that experience and it's something he will always grow up with, and one day he'll be in the water with us fishing!! Have fun this year and take the camera!!

We also camped with our daughter, although we borrowed my sister's pop up trailer for the first few years. We put cushions on the floor and blocked her in. You can rent them for a weekend, I think. She was born in September, so we went several times the next summer. She did get sick on one of our trips (at 11 mos.), but we were at my aunt and uncle's pig roast, so there were some foods that sat out a while. Plus, other than an upset stomach, she seemed alright. The traffic of the nearby highway combined with the fresh air helped her sleep better.

She wasn't all that mobile, so containing her wasn't much of a problem. We let her roll around on a blanket and pushed her on the swings at the playground. However, we did have to keep her in the shade for several hours because both her and I have extremely fair skin. We also brought the bug spray and benedryl, just in case. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer come with us every trip, and she had a bath when we got home. We used formula mix, so it wasn't a big deal.

The one thing you will want to consider is how strict you are with routine. Because both of us worked a lot at the time, she didn't have much of a routine (I don't recommend this), so it was not a big deal. However, if you go camping with friends (we have more fun that way), one of you may have to miss part of the evening to get her to sleep. Plus, it could disrupt the routine that you have set up at home a little. You also may want to consider where you go. Ours was a loud cryer and did not sleep well, so we tried to get secluded sites (backyards, less crowded weekends, etc.). Most campgrounds are family friendly, but it can get frustrating when your baby won't stop crying and your kid doesn't do what they're told.

Have fun! I don't know if we'll go this year because our second baby is coming next month. But knowing my husband, he'll push for it anyway. One of the mothers that we camp with loves babies, so I'll probably get her to go and we'll play pass the baby.

Oh gosh no - don't give it up! Our kids have been camping since they were just a few months old! Our daughter first went at age 2 months and our son at 1 year. They love it. It's so easy to camp with babies. A pack and play will fit in most 3-4 person size tents. Before the crawling stage, keep 'em in a pack and play or infant carrier or stroller or just let them roll around on the grass. Crawling babies are the hardest --- they are by far the dirtiest. It gets easier once they are walking, but you have to keep a sharp eye on them so they don't wander outside the campsite or get too close to the fire/grill. A playard type thing is good for 1-2 year olds to have them contained for a few minutes. My son is 4 and knows how to pitch our tent (not that he can due to size, but he can tell you exactly how). He also knows how to start a fire without paper and with one match. He knows constellations and many types of plants/animals. We only have 3 camping trips planned for this summer, but I'm also pregnant and due in mid-Aug. We 'car camp' with a tent in campgrounds now that we have young children. As soon as the youngest is out of diapers (long time yet -- due with baby #3 now) we're going back to our normal backpacking camping trips. I'm looking forward to teaching the kids how to do that!

Oh yeah... babies/toddlers WILL eat dirt when given the chance. Don't panic. My son perfected his spoon skills with a plastic sandbox shovel during a camping trip at 13 months old. He had 'dirt poop' diapers for week but he was none the worse for wear. I had been reassured some months earlier by an early childhood educator that it was no big deal when they eat dirt. Not that I encourage it but it's not always possible to get them to stop!

There is no way you should give up camping. Just take extra care. Take a small traval size play pen or anything like that to but the baby in. Just keep him off the ground so as he wont feel the dampness. If you tent camp. And as your baby gets older you sleep infront of the opening. That way you can feel him if he tries to get out. My son did that. I was camping and i woke up to strange noises. It way my son at 11/2 years old trien to start the fire! From then on I slept in front of the door. There is always a way to keep on with your camping. My kids still love to camp and its a great family time together. and when they are old enough take him snipe hunting its great fun. So I say enjoy yourself and stay camping. K.

You don't have to give it up. As a matter of fact, it could be a good experience for the baby. The only thing different now as opposed to then, you have to prepare a little better. Make sure you have the bug repelant, don't forget the sun screan, I suggest a pack and play for when you're out of the tent, and keep a close watchful eye on baby as she crawls about investigating so she don't eat stuff that she shouldn't. Some extra blankets for night time might be good too. Have fun with it, she will. And keep in mind...people didn't always live in houses with cable tv and electricity.

Hello...I have daughter who is getting ready to turn 3 and we have taken her camping in a tent since she was 3 months old. We just made sure to go when it wasn't extremely hot and took lots of extra water and things to have on hand. Over all, it was a wonderful experience and she LOVES it as much as we do now!

M.

My hubby and I took our baby camping when he was a month old... It was in Michigan in early May, so conditions were still relatively cold. We made sure to keep him bundled up well...a warm hat that covered his ears, plenty of blankets, etc... As for having a tent, my hubby and I were able to stay in a camper, but in the past he and I have used a space heater in our tent. It kept us nice and cozy... You might try that. I'd make sure to use one of those bunting bag type sleepers for your little one though, in case the regular blanket gets kicked off during the night...

Good luck, and have fun!!!

Me and my husband have three boys one is fifteen months old. when he was about six months old we went tent camping and we just took our porta crib that fold up. It was easy to pack and It was not too bad. We gave him a bath in a bucket. It was really fun. The older boys bathed in the river with the older boys.

S. H.

Dear L.~

First I want to say congradulations to you and your husband :) Camping is the best thing to do for a child. I took my son camping when he was 6 months old and he had a blast, of course we brought a little bed for him and of course we were well set for anything ! The nature of it all will surprise you, you will notice less crankyness and also a beautiful smile on your childs face. You will NOT have to give up camping matter of fact I think you should go all the time, this is the time to take her camping get her started early :)

I hope you have fun, go well planned and don't be nervous you will be amazed how well your baby girl will do..

Blessings to you and your family,
S. K
Mother 2

You can still do it and have fun. Your baby needs the same things you do, a place to sleep, food, and weather appropriate clothing. We camped with our two older children and our almost 4 month old last Memorial Day for the first time. I took way more stuff than I needed, but you don't want to be unprepared. Make sure you bring tons of diapers and changes of clothes. Your baby will love the cuddle time at night, and they're alot less picky now about the place they sleep then when they're teenagers. I had more trouble with the older kids than I did the baby. We have camped 3 times since then and have not had any problems.

The first time we took our daughter camping in a tent she was about five months old. We put our tent up in the backyard. That way we could see if she liked it, but were able to go inside if she didn't. She slept between us and was happy until early in the morning.

I've been taking my son camping since he was just a little baby. You have to be a bit more careful, but you can still have a great time. Make sure your tent is big enough for all of you...and a bassinet or pumpkin seat for the baby to sleep in (depending on age). They make OFF! Skintastic lotion for kids (so you aren't spraying the baby with anything) that is perfectly safe, and has sunscreen in it, to keep bugs and sunburns away.

Baby friendly food (I'm assuming you have a baby-baby,a little one) with a pot you can hang above the fire and boil water to warm the food up, jarred food anyway (also fresh water so you can boil and sterilize bottles since you can't wash them) Either that or bring plenty of bottles (again, assuming you bottle feed, if you breast feed you are that much better off so you don't have the hassle).

If you are going to fish or take a swim, they make these great little tent things for kids, they are only about $40 at Target or walmart but the baby can lay in it and it has a nice mesh thing, check out this link http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5030617
and you'll see what I mean.

Your first trip will probably definitely be a learning experience, but I think you will find that you can still have a great time with your husband and the baby, and you'll get a good routine when you are ready to go.

Hi L.:

My husband and I loved tent camping too. We took our son for the first time when he was about 6 months. We just made room for the pack & play in the tent. It worked great. I was paronoid when it was really cold out (we like to go in October) and I didn't get any sleep because I was afraid he was cold, but he was always snug as a bug. You can always put her in the middle of you and your husband and that will keep her warm too if that is a problem. Go and have a great time. Both of our boys (6 and 1 love to camp)!

I had this problem when my little one was a baby we just took our pac n play with us and used that as his bed while we were camping !It worked wonderful ! We have a bigger size tent i should mention also. I hope everything works out for you .

Don't be silly, camp away! My parents tent-camped with me until they bought a pop-up camper. I would advise against cold-weather camping, but late spring, through the summer and into early fall should be fine. An easy sleeping solution for baby is to get a portable co-sleeper for next to you. You can get them different places, One Step Ahead (onestepahead.com) has two versions, just type co-sleeper in to the search. You can find them used on ebay as well. I would also recomend one of those chairs that attach to the picnic table for as soon as she can sit up. Then she can join you for meals:) We got ours at Target, you can get them lots of places or used at Once Upon a Child.
Good luck!

Not that I am suggesting this and it happened almost 30 years ago but my husbands aunt and uncle would put their baby in a certain cooler that they had(didn't have a lid). Yeah, it's always interesting to hear their stories but if they could do it 30 years ago, I am sure you could find a way to do it today.

Have fun. There is no reason that you shouldn't enjoy your hobby because you have a baby. We continued to camp, in a tent. They don't mind the ground. We had our baby sleep between us on an airmatress between out double sleeping bag to keep warm. Be sure to bring bottled water for formula and The carrier will work great for feeding if older be sure you bring a foldable booster seat. Your daughter will thank you for the joy of the experience. Good Luck. Have fun.

We took our daughter to Yellowstone when she was 2 weeks old. I was a little nervous at the time but it was a great experience. We borrowed a trailer from my husbands parents that time but have tent camped ever since. I have found that the best way to keep a small baby warm while camping is to sleep them in their portable bouncy seat with blankets wrapped all the way around (so their back stays warm too!). That was when we lived in Utah though and it got cold at night. Out here in the midwest you have to be more concerned about them being too hot!!! Anyways your baby will be fine to do whatever you want to do. Kids are much more adaptable than a lot of people give them credit for. Have fun camping!