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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Camping with a 1.5 year old

79 replies

SplitFountainPen · 25/05/2024 21:56

We have DC 4 years and 17 months. I'm wanting to go camping just for 2 nights as DC 4 is eager to try it and we used to enjoy camping before DC.

DP is saying its not practical with a 17 month old, that baby will wake other people when waking up in the night with being away from home, and that it will be too cold even in summer.
AIBU to think 2 nights with a 17 month old should be manageable and a brief cry before we can pick DC up shouldn't be an issue?

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 25/05/2024 21:59

Sounds like a bit of a nightmare, I wouldn't...

Roundroundthegarden · 25/05/2024 22:00

I have an 18mo and wouldn't, sounds like a nightmare and very uncomfortable too.

Ethylred · 25/05/2024 22:00

I voted YABU but really you are being bonkers. In an endearing way, but bonkers.

CatSucker · 25/05/2024 22:01

I’m quite a gnarly camper but it would be a big fat no from me. Seriously, no.

DaftyLass · 25/05/2024 22:01

It's never too early, and as long as you plan ahead it is very manageable.
Warm sleep suit, cozy blankets, cuddles and story by the fire and they sleep like logs

AmelieTaylor · 25/05/2024 22:02

Of course it's fine.

baby in a baby sleeping bag/grow bag, easy to keep warm enough at night.

if baby wakes & wakes others, that's life, especially camping. It's fine.

Beamur · 25/05/2024 22:02

We camped with a baby and it was fine - you do have to think about getting cold, staying clean etc. camping with a toddler was harder and I bailed after one night! But I think we have camped every year with kids.

AmelieTaylor · 25/05/2024 22:03

Ethylred · 25/05/2024 22:00

I voted YABU but really you are being bonkers. In an endearing way, but bonkers.

@Ethylred

why?

camping with kids is fine!!

WeightoftheWorld · 25/05/2024 22:03

Not my idea of fun but Im sure some others do it. My children at that age would almost certainly have woken up at least once in the night crying and needing reassurance and when the younger one wakes the older one on holiday in a shared bedroom that has been bad enough.

Telephere · 25/05/2024 22:03

I'm camping right now with my 6 month old, definitely doable and enjoyable for me but depends what your standard of enjoyment is haha.

AmelieTaylor · 25/05/2024 22:04

Roundroundthegarden · 25/05/2024 22:00

I have an 18mo and wouldn't, sounds like a nightmare and very uncomfortable too.

@Roundroundthegarden

Uou don't sound like a camper with or without children?!?!

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 25/05/2024 22:04

I think it's a loopy idea, BUT what's life if you just splodge along being sensible?! I say go for it! It's only 2 nights. Is there a way to travel separately so your son can stay on with dad the second night if the first night is horrendous and you need to take baby home? Even if it's a disaster it'll be fun to reminisce about down the line.

midgetastic · 25/05/2024 22:05

Depends on the baby

Mine slept well by around 2 , didn't wail every few minutes and had a ball camping

Althenameshavegone · 25/05/2024 22:05

We took our 18m old camping last year, it was fine! Easier when they’re in nappies than when they’re potty training. Just take lots of layers, well insulate the floor and make sure your tent has black out. We did co-sleep though to minimise noise with night wake ups. It was a family festival so toddler noise was expected.

OneAtATime · 25/05/2024 22:06

We did it and it was fine - we were all on SIMS and used to co sleeping at home so it was fine

Cactuslove · 25/05/2024 22:06

I'm camping right now. I am a single mum and go with my two boys. Last year they were 4 and 2 and it was brilliant. Two double blow up beds but we all ended up in one. Air tent so I can put it up alone in 30 mins. Campsite with family toilets. The best time. Campsites are full of kids. I've been between two tents with multiple snorers this weekend so really couldn't care about my boys waking up at 6.30am. So many kids here too i cant imagine youre kid would be the one disturbing everyone! My kids love it. I'd go for it if I was you. I've brought my king size fleece covered duvet for the kids and they are too warm!! I do bring my airfryer for easy dinners and porridge pots that are made with hot water. So I do little cheats to make it easier. Defo go for it 👍

HelloDaisy · 25/05/2024 22:06

We camped with both of ours when they were babies and it was fine. Ds was always a bad sleeper but I just managed him as soon as he woke up in the night and resettled him, no complaints from others around us.

I think dc slept better in the tent than at home, probably due to all the fresh air and new sights and smells! Just make sure you have enough blankets etc. we used a travel cot to start with and then a child’s air bed when they were older.

Abitlosttoday · 25/05/2024 22:06

I have done it. I did not enjoy it. Kids did. It's very weather dependent. We have a campervan now, which is marginally better.

Chocolateorange22 · 25/05/2024 22:07

I see myself as quite a hardened camper. However we've held off until this year and they'll not long be 3&5. They can't wait. I camped in the garden when the eldest was 3 and she seemed to be fine with it.

popplego · 25/05/2024 22:07

We camped with our son last year when he was a similar age, it was absolutely fine! We did one 2 night stay then a 6 night stay. It was a bit cold overnight so we bundled him up warm in fleece pyjamas, his sleeping bag and had plenty of extra blankets available.

He was tired in the day time from going to sleep late and waking early, but we just made up for it with an extra nap. He loved camping and we're going again this year Smile

PuttingDownRoots · 25/05/2024 22:07

Been camping with both of ours since they were a year old.

They were always right next to us, on a ready bed (with extra covers), or just snuggled up with us. Not cold at all.
We used a travel cot as a playpen when necessary.

However... if your partner isn't keen... just you go with 4yo for a weekend!

Unescorted · 25/05/2024 22:08

Do it.... We took ours from a couple of months old & they were born in Jan and Feb... so not summer. They loved it being out side and parents without distractions.

Camp away from other people but both of ours slept better camping than at home. Do a single night close to home to start & you can exit stage left if you aren't enjoying it.

outside1inside · 25/05/2024 22:08

First time I went camping with DD she was 10 months. She slept better after a day in the fresh air than she ever did at home. I would totally go for it. At that age they don't cry like babies and are easily distracted if they are crying. I took Milton to steralise stuff but didn't really use it. DD slept in a travel cot in the second bedroom of the tent. We took plenty of toys etc. The Travel cot is excellent for containment when you are cooking/changing etc.

Ethylred · 25/05/2024 22:08

AmelieTaylor · 25/05/2024 22:03

@Ethylred

why?

camping with kids is fine!!

Show quote history

Because rain. Because midges. Because nobody will get any sleep. Because who finds the tent pegs and the mallet and untangles the guy-ropes and puts up the fucking tent on their own while the other adult deals with 2 exhausted and over-excited children.

Kitkat1523 · 25/05/2024 22:11

For 2 nights I couldn’t be arsed…..will take hours to pack car then set up camp….and hours to take down ( wet) tents and pack away then unpack again when you get home….so 2 days of hard graft….for 2 days of camping ….and what you going to do with a whingy toddler when it rains?…..nah not for me