Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To take an 8 week old camping in this weather?

24 replies

doublechocchip · 27/08/2014 21:20

Ok in our defence we booked when it was all lovely and sunny a few weeks ago. Meant to be going with a big group of friends and their children. Got 2 older dc's who will be fine but am worried it's too cold at night for 8 week dd. we also don't have electric hookup so no heaters!

We were only going for 2 nights but am now thinking of sending dh, the older dc's and just going up for the day on Saturday (site about 45mins away).

Aibu to keep her at home overnight? Or am I being unduly careful?!

OP posts:

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 27/08/2014 21:22

Where abouts are you? There's quite a variation in temperatures around the UK at the moment.

306235388 · 27/08/2014 21:22

I definitely wouldn't take a little one.

Even in the height of the summer dd (3) got REALLY cold during the night because she wriggled out of her sleeping bag

henrysmate · 27/08/2014 21:24

It depends on where you are, what kit you have with you and how used to camping you all are, they all make big differences.

Original poster

doublechocchip · 27/08/2014 21:27

Going to a place in Shropshire, temp is showing at 12 one night and 10 the next so looks pretty chilly! We are used to camping but not done it with a dc so young before.

OP posts:

henrysmate · 27/08/2014 21:39

Well I can see how you're concerned. It's not at all beyond doable, a little cot would keep her toasty, but I'd say if you're at all worried then stay home. Why give yourself that level of panic? Stay home, spend some one on one time together, then turn up on site with a flask of hot coffee (irish perhaps?) and enjoy the fun bits with friends too.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 27/08/2014 21:44

We did with ds2 at that age but I think it was a couple of degrees warmer.

It'll be a constant worry for you, do you live close enough to sleep at home and go to the campsite for the rest of the fun?

Beavie · 27/08/2014 21:49

I really wouldn't. I was at a festival near Northampton from weds last week until Monday last week, and even sleeping in my caravan with a 13.5 tog duvet and 4 year old dd2 in bed with me to keep me warm there was a couple of times that I woke up from cold. All the people sleeping in tents were absolutely freezing, no matter how well equipped they were. My friend was camping in Weymouth the same weekend, he is well into camping and has all the kit possible to keep warm, and him and his dc were so cold they came home a night early.

Autumn is here.

Beavie · 27/08/2014 21:50

*monday THIS week that should be

MissWimpyDimple · 27/08/2014 21:53

Last weekend was especially cold, but even so I don't think I would do it. 8 week old babies have a hard time regulating their temps. I would go up for the day.

FlipFlopWaddle · 27/08/2014 21:54

Normally I'd say yes, go for it - we took 4wo dd2 in September a few years ago BUT not this year. We were in Dorset last week and the temperature fell to 6 degrees one night, dd2 (now 2) woke up a few nights and she was freezing despite her babygro, padded sleepsuit and 2 blankets so we had her in between us in our sleeping bag. I've never been cold at night in August before, there has been a real dip in temperatures this year. That said, it's meant to warm back up again if it's next weekend you're going?

Janethegirl · 27/08/2014 22:12

Took my little one, 6 weeks old, on a canal boat. She slept on my stomach and was very happy. Depends on the baby, mine even slept through the night....mind you food was on tap

littlewhitebag · 27/08/2014 22:13

It is hardly the depths of winter. Inuit babies survive in extreme low temps. Your baby will be absolutely fine camping, in August, in the UK!

lisaloulou84 · 27/08/2014 22:19

My extremely healthy best friend has just come back with a terrible cold after leeds festival. I was in a hut this time last year and actually had to get up at 2am and walk around for bit to warm myself up. So no I wouldn't take my 8 week old!

SolidGoldBrass · 27/08/2014 22:28

I remember one awful camping trip with DS when he was 11months (a good 9 years ago). It was August, in Derbyshire, and I really hadn't thought it would get that cold - and I had no winter clothes for him. He spent the first night in his sleepsuit, vest, dressing gown, mittens, blanket and my fleece wrapped round him, and I barely slept all night, convinced he would die... The next day I insisted on being driven to the nearest Asda and stocking up on winter sleepsuits, jumpers, dungarees...

But he's my PFB and I spent most of his first year worrying that I would get something wrong and he would die. THought TBH I think your plan of going for the day is probably the best one - even though your baby will probably come to no harm, stressing about it will make the trip less fun.

Janethegirl · 27/08/2014 22:38

I must be lucky cos I didn't kill my dcs by accident

mummymeister · 27/08/2014 23:20

if you are going to be worried about your lo all night and how cold they are then you aren't going to get much sleep at all so the break is going to be pretty pants for you. so for this reason alone I just wouldn't do it. went camping in May. fully clothed in sleeping bag and quilt, hat and gloves. still so cold my teeth actually chattered. not my idea of a fun time for myself let alone a little one.

SummerSazz · 27/08/2014 23:28

It really isn't that bad for well prepared campers - we camped last weekend when it was

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 27/08/2014 23:31

I'm taking my LO (5 months) next week for a few nights - we have thick sleeping bags, fleece blanket, thermal baby nest and he will co-sleep with me. BBC says 10 degrees at night. I'm hoping that we are well prepared but my family are down the road if it's too arctic.

IneedAwittierNickname · 27/08/2014 23:43

I would!

Andbeavie I think I was at the same festival. I was in a tent and was more than warm enough. None of the people I was with were freezing at night.

Mind you I've camped in the snow, that really was cold!

Notso · 27/08/2014 23:48

It's not that cold is it?

It depends how much you want to camp I suppose. I hate camping unless I am at a festival when there is copious amounts of alcohol to numb the misery of it.
I stayed in a tent one night when DD was 4 weeks old and loathed every second of it. She slept like a log though.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 27/08/2014 23:48

That's a useful tip SummerSazz, thanks.

SummerSazz · 28/08/2014 00:02

Schwarzkopf I think you're supposed to wear no clothes for max benefit but I'm not going that far lol!

whois · 28/08/2014 00:06

I camped at the weekend and it was FUCKING freezing. Slept in thermals and puffa jacket. Not really suitable for a little baby. Yes I know baby's survive in other cultures but really when you're only 45 mins away send the older ones and you take baby for the day.

Original poster

doublechocchip · 28/08/2014 09:35

Ok I'm just going to go for the day you've convinced me that I'm not being over protective! I would be awake probably every hour worriedly checking her so going to make the most of a quiet house and a comfy bed!

OP posts:

Flip