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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to feel uncomfortable taking a baby camping in a tent?

77 replies

strawberrypip · 21/07/2020 20:34

hello,

partner really wants to go away with a group of friends for a few nights in the next couple of months (obviously staying in separate places and meeting outside at the beach etc. when there) our baby will be 8 months old around the time he is thinking.

a getaway is great, however as can be expected at such short notice a lot of places are booked or fairly expensive. so conversation has turned towards getting tents and camping. I feel really uncomfortable at the idea of this with a young baby.

firstly, because the temperature changes in this country and how quick it can suddenly get cold. secondly, I will have no access to electricity, so no hot water to make up her food and no way to charge phone in case of an emergency. thirdly, I just dont like the idea of sleeping outside with my baby just doesnt feel very protected. so on the basis of all this it would not be very relaxing for me at all or my baby I don't think.

my partner has now got the hump with me and says I'm ruining the plans.

i dont want to be a spoil sport but I dont like camping anyway let alone with an 8 month old to worry about too.

what do you think?

OP posts:

OneForMeToo · 21/07/2020 20:50

I wouldn’t do it without ehu. I’ve only done no ehu once and that was a 1 nighter without the children.

TenShortStories · 21/07/2020 20:52

Camping with a small, breastfed, non-cryer is incredibly easy. However, by eight months they'll probably be crawling and putting everything in their mouth, and will be a massive pain in the ass if they are a bad sleeper. I'd still do it because I love camping, but I can see why it wouldn't be fun for everyone.

Could you book on the proviso that you only still go if the weather looks good, sleep and feeding are going well, and your baby isn't going through something like a teething spell or grumpy phase at that time? And of course if you wouldn't want to go even with all those things satisfied then that's totally fine - it's meant to be a holiday, not a chore!

Original poster

strawberrypip · 21/07/2020 20:52

I just dont think I will enjoy it sadly. totally take on board those that actually like it but I didnt really enjoy myself pre baby when we went!

when partner first mentioned a getaway it was on the basis of having a nice relaxing time after all the stress of the last few months. I just dont see that taking baby away for the first time and it being in a tent will be all that relaxing. the mud, no luxuries, being outside, baby who is already not a good sleeper probably being worse, it just sounds so far away from relaxing lol.

I know its stupid aswell because things like this are so rare but it freaks me out being outside with very little protection from other people with such a young child. actually makes me feel quite panicky that anyone dodgy could be lurking around (although I appreciate this line of thinking is more my anxiety shining through but I cant help it!)

OP posts:

Infullbloom · 21/07/2020 20:53

So you don't actually have any gear yet or a tent? If you want comfort camping you'll probably be cheaper in a hotel by the time you buy everything you need. I would be paranoid about the baby crying and keeping people awake as well. I once had a couple with a toddler in the next tent to me and the crying went on all night, awful for everyone else on the site. I personally think camping is great for kids, once they get to around 3 or 4.

MereDintofPandiculation · 21/07/2020 20:53

DS was a bit younger than yours when we had several days without electricity or phone, so I was boiling water for bottles on the fire. And in an emergency someone will let you use their phone. On the other hand, if it's going to worry you, it's not going to be much of a holiday for you.

I think there's an element of you not enjoying camping, and so you're trying to find reasons why it won't work, rather than looking for solutions.

Original poster

strawberrypip · 21/07/2020 20:55

and no we dont have any camping equipment whatsoever - havent been camping in 3 years!

OP posts:

MessAllOver · 21/07/2020 20:55

It sounds awful. If you weren't a camping person pre-baby, what makes you think you'll be one with a little one to worry about?

Original poster

strawberrypip · 21/07/2020 20:57

@MereDintofPandiculation I don't find camping relaxing at all, I've made no secret of that atall on this thread. pre baby I might of sucked it up but add an 8 month old baby to the mix and I just dont see it as a holiday, plus all my worries as someone who suffers with anxiety anyway it just doesnt seem like a holiday to me

OP posts:

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 21/07/2020 20:57

It would be my idea of hell. Neither of mine would have been able to sleep with the light or the noise (as we found out going on holiday with translucent curtains). And then if the weather is shit, staying inside a small space trying to entertain a crawling baby. Not for me! I think its harsh of your partner to say you're spoiling it when it's something you're pretty sure you wouldnt enjoy. People are allowed to have different tastes and while it's nice to do some things sometimes because your other half enjoys them, equally you shihdkbr be expected to do something you hate especially something that takes up a whole weekend. Have you got a tent etc? You could always do a dry run in the garden before you decide. Or you could tell him to take the baby camping while you stay home and relax!

Igotthemheavyboobs · 21/07/2020 20:58

Absolutely not. I couldn't imagine anything worse tbh. YANBU

Cheeseislife2020 · 21/07/2020 20:58

Think it depends what you’re used to. For me it would be a no brainer because I’ve grown up camping even drove to northern Spain pregnant and with a toddler to camp. But we get electric hookup and have a camping stove etc. you don’t have to ‘rough it’. I find it relaxing and no more stressful than a baby in a shared holiday cottage etc. but up to you. Maybe wait til baby’s a bit older .

TankGirl97 · 21/07/2020 20:58

I loved camping with mine as babies, but then I love camping anyway. My number one rule is don't let anyone get cold or hungry and you'll have a nice time.
If it's not your bag though, don't feel forced into it (although I'd encourage you to give it a go!).

Ikeepbuyinganimals · 21/07/2020 20:59

Stay home and enjoy a quiet weekend. I just came back off a camping trip, I dont have kids but couldn't find an adult only campsite with availability. Woken 3 times in the night by a baby which was a few tents away. Unless you are experienced in camping and know you can hush the kid quick, please don't.

(Perhaps practise a night in the garden to see how it goes? Or better still, put DH in charge for the night outside in a tent and you enjoy starfishing in the bed and see what he reckons in the morning)

winetime89 · 21/07/2020 20:59

I would but I like camping. You don't sound too into it so I'd tell him no. it's fun but it can be hard work tbh. let him go on his own and when baby's a little older give it a try then

bluefoxmug · 21/07/2020 21:02

yanbu
we did it when dc were that age, but we go camping often and like camping.
tbh it was cold at night and quite uncomfortable because dc was unsettled at night.

Bmidreams · 21/07/2020 21:02

Oh god, a crying baby!! No!!

Firstimer703 · 21/07/2020 21:02

If camping is your thing then it's fine but if not then you will be stressing most probably! Send DH with his mates and stay at home.

SuperMumTum · 21/07/2020 21:03

If you don't enjoy camping then don't go. All the people that say camping is great might not like a package holiday to tenerife or a spa weekend. We all like different things. I love camping for all the reasons you don't - I like to switch my phone off, no electricity, eating a tin of beans warmed up on a gas stove and sleeping out in the fresh air and my kids love it too but that really isn't for everyone. I would hate a girls weekend at a spa and wouldn't let myself get bullied into going on one. Just say no.

Pimmsypimms · 21/07/2020 21:03

God no....and my youngest is 7!
I'm not a camper though. DH suggested camping for a full week as we're struggling to find last minute holiday accommodation, but I can't think of anything worse! I'd rather not go anywhere than go camping.

Coronabegone · 21/07/2020 21:09

Not for me!

Original poster

strawberrypip · 21/07/2020 21:12

I have told him I wouldn't enjoy it and he is asking why lol. I've said my reasons and hes said we will buy a "nice big posh tent" surely the price cant be all that different from renting a caravan!

OP posts:

okiedokieme · 21/07/2020 21:19

I took mine camping from 3 months. It's surprisingly easy with ebf babies.

SuperMumTum · 21/07/2020 21:19

A nice big posh tent will cost you over £500 without any camp beds/sleeping mats or any bedding. You'll need a table and a stove (inc gas), chairs, travel cot if you don't already have one. Lamp/torches and a cold box. For a full set up on the posher side of things you'll pay around £1k I reckon. And you might never use it again!

Pelleas · 21/07/2020 21:20

Unless you enjoy camping for its own sake and are going to camp regularly, it's not worth shelling out on a top of the range tent plus airbeds, camping stove, camping cookware, lamp, sleeping bags and whatever else you might need. For what you'd spend you could book a B&B.

I don't think you'd get a pitch on a serviced site very easily or cheaply - DH and I looked a few weeks ago and there was very little available.

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 21/07/2020 21:26

I wouldn’t want to. If you were already into camping then fine, but it doesn’t sound like you are.

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