camping with a one year old - am i mad?!

[tonton]

We've been invited to join some friends camping for 2 nights in the new forest. Our 6 year old could stay in their tent (it's huge!)and thewy would lend us a 2 person tent. But we'd have our one year old with us. Is trhat a goer? or a disaster? Any thoughts/tips welcomed!

[colditz]

As a hatter!

[Roobie]

My two have been camping regularly from 5 weeks old. We just take the travel cot and it's virtually home from home.

[nickytwotimes]

do you really need to ask!!

[Kaloo20]

I'd do it

[Nemo2007]

not mad at all will be fab. We went last year with DS who was 2 and DD was 5mths. This year will have DS who will be 3, DD1 will be 18mths and DD2 will be around 5mths.

[rabbleraiser]

I think it depends on the temperament of your one year old, tonton. My ds has always been a great traveller/holiday goer, even as a terrible two. At one, your dc is not in tantrum mode yet, and will probably subliminally enjoy the whole experience.

You're not mad at all. It's an excellent idea.

[Ponka]

Hi Tonton,

Yes you are but I'm strangely jealous of your madness because it sounds like it's going to be great! Sometimes the occasional mad thing is just worth a go to make life interesting, don't you think? I'm taking mine (3 & 1) in a Caravan this summer but that's a bit easier. At least you aren't going abroad. You could always abandon things if it gets rough. Have the people you are going with got kids?

[tonton]

Thanks ponka. The funny thing is, i'm the un-hearty one who weants to stay in luxury hoyels usually. But this sounds like fun! And it's with good friends. And we know someone who lioves not that far away.

[KathyMCMLXXII]

Not mad in the least - we camped with dd aged 6 weeks and 13 months and had no problems whatever either time.

You just keep as much of the normal bedtime routine as you can and apparently the fact that they've been in the fresh air all day makes them sleep like logs.

[tonton]

we're being lent a 2 person tent but should i buy an air mattress or something of the sort? Havn't been camping since i was 14...

[Ponka]

Yes, I'd definately get something like that. So what are the logistics of it? Is your DD just going to sleep on the airbed on her own in the early evening with you around outside socialising then sleeping in between you later on? If you could get hold of a bigger tent, you could get a travel cot in it.

[Paddlechick666]

hi tonton

sounds like great fun! i took dd on her first camping trip last year age 9 months.

I will admit it was Canvas Holidays in France with all the home from home luxuries.

But, we did have a week in North Devon a month later with dd and skids.

As ever, we took blow up mattress and duvet etc for us and this time took travel cot for dd.

It was absolutely freezing and dd went to bed in a vest, babygro, fleecy babygro, blankets and hat LOL! I think she might've worn her jacket too one night!

But it was early August and it does get chilly at night in the UK then. Funnily enough, the temp in the tent was the same as it was in France overnight but even we felt the chill. How does that work?!

DH was great and took her out for a long walk at 6:30am when she woke and came back with coffee and pastries and the papers each morning.

You'll have a fabulous time!

[tonton]

Is it possible to hire larger tents in London? I#d like to put dd2 into her travel cot to sleep which we stay up.

[Cloudhopper]

You are mad, but that is the fun of it. Your one year old will just love it. When dd1 was 1 we took her camping and she had the time of her life. One of my most enduring memories of her infanthood was her delightedly bouncing on the airbeds. She was so excited.

So yes, but hopefully it will be worth it.

Having said that I wouldn't do it in anything but good weather.

[lesliephillips]

we have taken our twins camping every summer since they were born, so first trip they were 8 months, our 4th trip is this summer so will be 3.8 and I reckone this will be the hardest one

[mumclaire]

Ah ha - perfect thread to ask this trivial question - we're taking our 1 year old camping in July - we took her camping at 4 months last year everyone thought we were mad but we had a ball. Anyway this year LO is off the breast and formula and onto proper milk (and vast quantities of it!). Can a 1 year old have long life whole milk to save money and time etc - seems easier when camping without a fridge and any other food tips?