Camping with a baby?

Question

Planning on camping no. MN, then southern Ontario in mid-september with a 10 month old baby. Overnight lows expected in the 40's, possible upper 30's. What to do? I thought about hardening her off in the meantime like a tomato plant. What do you think about an electric blanket? Wife thinks it is imperative to use the pack-n-play for her to sleep in, because she is accustomed to a crib and needs to be confined. Any suggestions, experiences, hints, tips would be appreciated for the camping as well as driving long distances as well. Thank you.

Answer 1

When my son was 9 months old we took him camping in a tent for 2 weeks

The biggest hassle was diapers....

"hardening her off in the meantime like a tomato plant." WTF

I'd try a trial run in the backyard, if anything goes wrong home is a few steps away

The "pack-n-play " I personally think is a bit much. We used the car seat when we needed both of us free to load or unpack stuff

We also used the car seat for feeding etc.

Outdoors we used a tarp and the sleeping bags as a play area, but someone always had to be with the little one

For sleeping the baby slept with us

Oddly the first night out the little tyke knew we had not gone home and screamed until I put'em in the car seat in the van where I had to remain in the drivers seat -or else- He just gave me a look like you "boneheads" forgot to go home!

The look of astonishment when we returned home was priceless

Answer 2

Get the big style flannel sleeping bags that can zip together to make a double or just get an XL flannel bag that rated for temps below what you're expecting. Then sleep with the baby. I always slept with our kids while camping since they were 6 months old and we always stay warm. We've camped when it was in the high 20's and there's ice on the outside of the tent in the morning.

Just be calm and take the necessities and have a good time. Skip the electric blanket - what are you going to plug it into anyway? A current bush? Skip the play pen - you're going camping not on an outing to toy's-r-us.

Answer 3

oh boy the joys of camping with a baby LOL i know them well LOL i would definatly bring the pack in  play because it will come in handy because if your daughters crawling you dont want her getting into things,or getting near the fire or in my case my daugher was forever putting stuff in  her mouth so i didnt want her on the ground its not the getting dirty part its like i said the dirt and sand in her mouth her eyes all that good stuff and as far as sleeping i like the idea of an electric blanket as long as its new and you dont have to worry about it being a fire hazard and make sure its on the lowest possable setting and if you dont go that route then obvious stuff heavy pjs socks you could do a light onsie underneth heavier pjs  and a blanket then depending on how cold bring mittens and a hat just in case because the nights get chilly i dont know if your sleeping in a tent or a camper....if you plan on doing a lot of walking bring a snuggly or a stroller heck bring a stroller anyway because even a normal happy baby may be cranky when their not in thier familier settings extra extra clothes diapers wipes obviously even a favorite stuffed toy if she has one  and as far as the ride make sure she has all her toys a change of clothes and diapers without fail mine tend to expolode in their diaper as we are driving to our destination LOL you will want easy snacks gerber has melt away snacks that way you wont have to worry about choking and you can still satisfy her keep her from throwing a fit just that little bit longer and i dont know about bug spray when their that young on the last camping trip i went on i rubbed a dryer sheet all over me and i didnt get bit at all maybe it was luck i dont know....try to follow her home rotune as much as possable as far as consistant naps and bath time if its a camp ground take her in the shower massage lotion on her read her a book whatever  you would do at home and just know its going to feel like  your bringing EVREYTHING from home because well you are but when your camping with a baby your going to need this stuff or at least its better to have it and not need it then not have it and need it and trust me it might feel a bit overwhelming like its more work then enjoyment but it has a way of falling into place and you stilll enjoy your vacation good luck and have fun

edit- i went to bed last night and thought of a couple more things that you may want to consider... you may want to  bring a bug net too to either go over the sroller or pack and play or even if you and you wife are just holding her you can put it over you guys like a trap sure you might look silly but the misqetoes wont get to your daughter something else is if your wife nurses this will help keep your daughter warm and make her feel safe and content ok i think im done now LOL

Answer 4

Hardening her off? Sounds kind of cruel unless you are willing to undergo the process as well. Dress her in layers, I don't like electric blankets for babies. What about a down comforter? Or how about her sleeping with Mom for warmth? Pack-n-play is good. She's probably at that stage where she likes to move around and she doesn't need to get into trouble by putting stuff in her mouth.

Answer 5

one of my first memories of camping, i was 6. my little brother was just 6 or 8 months old. mom and dad took us and our sister winter camping with a tarp for a tent and down comforters. we had a nice fire. middle of the night, we wake up to see little bro roasting a hotdog on the fire.

people have been roughing it with children for thousands of years. with no pack-n-play.  

Answer 6

It's possible to take your baby on a camping trip, but it is not going to be easy. The most important thing to consider is how to keep your baby from getting sick. Cold weather is not good for a baby and although you might use an electric blanket she will still be breathing the cold air. I would consider a camping heater that you can use inside your tent. However, you need to be prepared for a bloody nose since the dry warm air from the heater can dry out her nose and make it bleed. Purchase some saline nose drops for this and give it to her before going to sleep and once or twice through out the night.

When driving long distances with young ones it's best to keep item on hand that will occupy them. Children's music tapes/Cd's is a great even for 10 month olds. Be sure to have her favorite snacks and sippy cup. Also you might want to pull over to the side of the road every hour or so just for her to exercise her little legs (walking or crawling). This may seem bothersome. but an hour is a long time for a young one. You also don't want to cause circulation problems for her (or You) from sitting too long. Good Luck on your trip!!!

P.S. I have to agree with the above comment that electric blankets for a baby is not good. There skin is sensitive and what feels fine to you might be too hot for them. Plus she may not be able to tell you if the blanket temp becomes uncomfortable. Layers is the best way!

Answer 7

My son is a little older than your daughter, but he sleeps with me when camping.  Of course he would escape from the pack n play though.  ;)

I have to disagree that cold weather is bad for a baby.  Freezing obviously isn't good.  But cold air is good for all of us to breathe in.  Cold air does not cause children, or anyone, to get sick.  It actually kills germs.  What makes us sick is spending time confined indoors where there is warmth.  The germs spread more easily that way.

If you want to take the pack n play I think that is a great idea.  Just dress the baby in layers, bring a lot of blankets, and keep an eye on her.  If you think she'll keep a cap on while sleeping that might be a good idea so she doesn't lose a lot of body heat.  In general we always keep our kids dressed the way we are.  If we wake up cold, then they probably are too so we just cover them up more.