I'm planning on going camping at the weekend (weather permitting of course) but we have an 8 month old child with us. I've said to myself that any sign of rain then we're not going (I don't want him getting wet, damp etc). Can anyone particularly advise against taking a child of this age away or share any good experiences?
Just wanted to know what peoples general thoughts are really?
Just came back from camping in the Lake District last week where it rained, and it rained, and it rained, and it rained. The wind howled and howled and howled we felt like we were in the washing machine. We had in our company 2 babies, one is 2 month-0ld and one is 7 months, one was breast fed and one was bottled fed. They both did very well. The bigger children who were with us had loads and loads of fun in the river near our tent. The foul weather didn't put us off at all.
Just make sure the inside of your tent is clean and dry, bring plenty of warm clothes for the baby and you'll be fine.
We took our youngest for the first time at 8 months.I would advise you go for it with a little planning and a GSOH we found it fun.
A few tips (am sure others will add many others). When you arrive at your site it can take an hour or so to set up so if there is just 3 of you and it takes 2 to pitch your tent think about what you will do with baby,and if due a feed sort before you start ! If a fellow camper offers help with pitching ,accept it.
We have a fairly ridgid routine at home but tends to go out the window camping so we just go with flow and relax as our son does not tend to sleep as well in a tent .
We worried about crying during night waking fellow campers so just keep a bottle close to hand but again think is best to relax as baby will settle quicker.
Last camp our son managed to crawl into a mud puddle and have agood splash.which he found hysterical (as did the neighbours)
We have another pre school child and feel camping is great to get away as a family from TV etc and have quality time together ,I think you have to go with the right attitude you will enjoy it.
We have found many fellow campers love to see a baby and can be agood ice breaker.
I went camping in July with my cousin and her 5 month old baby. Great age for camping, as baby was old enough to be interested in what the rest of the family were doing, happy to sit in buggy and watch us all play cricket, rounders etc. However, putting her down on a mat was great, as she not learnt to crawl yet, and was so easy to keep tabs on her. I imagine next year will have us all running round after her though.
------------- its me again!
Top End Farm May
RSPB Big Camp June
Diamond Campsite August
I have always taken my babies camping - BUT I was lucky that my babies slept through the night from 8 weeks so wouldn't disturb other campers in the night with their crying
My little one is 8 months and I have just got back from camping with her and my older 2 aged 6 and 8. She was fine. Gives me less grief than the other 2! She loved it-she is so interested in everything and loves just watching the world go by!
Go for it I would say. Even if the weather is bad as long as you are all warm and dry in the tent you should have no worries
Took mine from eight weeks old, and loved it. Just a bit more planning required. With disposable nappies and ready mixed baby milk. They are eighteen and fourteen now and still camp regularly. The eldest has canuoed and wild camped the Great Glen in Scotland, amongst other things so it must have seeped into the blood with the baby milk.I worried at the time about them crying at night and disturbing people but to be honest they were so knocked out with the air and camping to do they slept really well. One occasion when we had a bit of a bad night with colic we just took the babe into the car and took turns staying awake with her all night. Oh the joys of parenthood lol.Now when I hear a babe cry on a site I just think ah bless and turn over back to sleep really glad that I don't have to get up for it.I would recommend it, I loved it and so did the kids. Take a big blanket to wrap around you both for snuggly nursing. Good luck.
We camped with our little DS since he was 6 months, he is nearly 6 years now. We used the cartons of baby milk and took cold water sterlizer tablets and an ice cream tub. He used to be right next to us, so if he stirred we could sort his quickly. Hubby did want to stick to his routine and then got really stressed when he wouldnt sleep, so just used to wait until he fell asleep. He loved crawling around the bed pods and clambering over the blow up beds and quilts.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camping with babies
