We have just got back from camping in woolacombe. It was lovely however we had to take a travel cot and mattress for 1 yr old son which took most of the boot space up! We ended up not being able to see through any of our car windows due to the amount of stuff we took!
I am looking for a black out mini tent to go inside our 10 man tent... I think! He was hard to settle at night as it was light outside still!
Where do your babies/young children sleep? We have only been camping a few times but we are eager to go more regularly!! We need to get prepared!!!
I only started camping when my youngest was nearly 3 but she was in a trundle bed (pull out guest bed on low legs) at 1 year old. I would probably buy a black out tent, use 2 self inflating mats inside and sleep in the tent with them. Sharing the tent makes it quicker to settle them during the night too.
we started camping when they were quite young, youngest was under a year. We have tried an enclosed travel bed (folded very small into something the size of a large plate), this was a nightmare as when they were very small and still feeding during the night you couldn't get them out fast enough, and when they were bigger they could topple the tent structure over. We then moved on to the airbed with the raised sides (Kampa?), but to be honest the raised sides did not stop them rolling out of bed. And once they were older still, they chose a ready bed for themselves. The ready beds were great - but you did need more than the sleeping bag they come with. And once they got older the punctures from running over the ready beds were a bit of a nightmare.
So I would go for covering the entire floor of the bedroom pod with SIM's (not had a puncture so far with kids jumping on them), then a baby sleeping bag with the arms that they can't wriggle out of, then plenty of spare blankets beside you to cover them over when they get cold in the night.
We have also always slept beside them in the tent (bedroom pods side by side) so we can settle them quickly from whatever has caused them to wake (from babies needing milk, to shouting out in sleep, to nightmares - when we had to plop the screaming unconsolable child into the car and drive round until they calmed down!)
As for the getting to sleep when it is light that was always a bit of a nightmare and we just ended up making bedtime later so they were shattered. I dont think there was such a thing as blackout pods when mine were really young as I can remember attempting to rig up blackout lining over the bedrooms.
I second Ribble, adjust sleeping times and thats a good idea about the self inflating mats. I envisage two double SIMs set beside each other so baby doesn't have anywhere to roll off.
He's very happy and comfy in it. It's a zip-in unit with a SIM built into the bottom. It takes up much less space in the car and pops up instantly. Win/win!
We bought a little life travel cot that we used wherever we went...it was similar to this. Not the cheapest but very good and packs down quite small for travelling.
Going away for the first time with our 18 mnth old this year, and got one of these that we bought for our 5 year old when she was little. They have changed the design slightly, but its basically the same!
The mattress is inflatable, and has two large edges to stop her rolling out. The duvet thing isn't up to much though, so she is going to sleep on the ready bed in her own sleeping bag! She isn't going anywhere!
Was wondering about being able to throw a light sheet over the top of the sleeping pod to darken things down a bit, although the sleeping area is supposed to be vangos "lights out" system, that is slightly optimistic!
Going away for the first time with our 18 mnth old this year, and got one of these that we bought for our 5 year old when she was little. They have changed the design slightly, but its basically the same!
The mattress is inflatable, and has two large edges to stop her rolling out. The duvet thing isn't up to much though, so she is going to sleep on the ready bed in her own sleeping bag! She isn't going anywhere!
Was wondering about being able to throw a light sheet over the top of the sleeping pod to darken things down a bit, although the sleeping area is supposed to be vangos "lights out" system, that is slightly optimistic!
Post last edited on 10/05/2013 14:41:01
Its your decision but please note it does say Ages 2+
I have camped with all of mine from babies onwards....tried all sorts in the end I found a self inflating mat, a sleeping bag, extra blankets and pjamas with fleecy pjamas on top worked. I wrapped them in the blanket then put them in the sleeping bag and put another blanket or sleeping bag over the top if I thought they were cold (or un wrapped them a little if they looked a bit red faced!). You can put a mummy sleeping bag inside a envelope sleeping bag! They used to be like little parcels by the time I finished! Of course you have to make sure they don't over heat!
One thing to note was I found they rarely stayed on the sleeping mats,especially if there was a bit of a slope, and it didn't seem to matter what ever age they were. As for the light all mine seem to be good sleepers once they had ran round and round the field, so it was never a problem! But you could try dying the inner tents a darker colour, did this for a different reason and it worked well!
Oh and towels make a good substitue blanket if you find you need an extra one.
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: Newbie..Where can my 1yrold sleep?Camping
