Camping with a 12 month old

[Fem1928374]

My DH has talked me into going tent camping in a couple of weeks for a weekend. We have a 12 month old and I’ll be 9 weeks pregnant.

Is this a really bad idea? I’m very apprehensive about it. What can I do to make it easier/warmer/fun?

Fuck that, sounds like hell to me.

I'd go unless I was throwing up. That would be grim with portaloos. But from experience a camp bed off the ground with a duvet under the sleeping bag is warmer than an airbed.

I've camped with my kids at all ages and whole pregnant. We have a lot of kit though so are well prepared. E.g a camping toilet was a must for a pregnant bladder. 10cm thick self inflating mats are much warmer and comfier than an air bed and if you put them on a fold up camping bed even better. Thick 3 or 4 season sleeping bags and a hot water bottle to help you get warm at first. Travel cot for the 1 year old. We used a vango nitestar mini sleeping bag which you can still get second hand on ebay. Or just get the junior one and tie something around it half way down so baby doesn't slide down inside it. Nice thick sleepsuit for baby, a hat and they will be fine.

I'd probably go. But on the proviso I had charge of the car & could leave anytime I wanted (either back home or to a B&B).

I did this. We don’t even like camping much but had fab time. The key was agreeing in advance how many naps I could have.

Tbh I'd send DH on his merry way to enjoy it with his friends!

For me the issue would be being 9 weeks pregnant! I felt shit and tired at that point. I also went camping at about 12 weeks pregnant when morning sickness really ramped up and I obviously survived but it was not really enjoyable!

I think it's completely reasonable to not go if you don't want to.

I camp all year round with my mates. I won't be taking my family until June onwards (5 and 7 year olds). Basically in you are still putting the heating on in the car in the morning then sleeping outdoors is not for kids.

Having said that, making it easier.
Layer up rather than one heavy layer.
If using airbed put an insulator under it.
Book into a kids eat free brewers fayre all you can eat breakfast (usually attached to a premier inn. We feed the family for £20 for pretty much the whole day until BBQ in evening.

We took our 1 year old last year! It was great. We also went as a group with friends and their kids. We stayed at a basic campsite but had electricity. We’ve got a big tent (can stand up in it fully, it’s about 9 foot tall and can sleep up to 7 adults). Took DD’s travel cot, we went in June just after her 1st birthday. We have a ground sheet, DH bought an extra one to keep any cold coming off the floor. We laid an old duvet under DD’s travel cot and she slept in a winter tog sleep bag 3.5 tog, a onesie and a vest. We were so lucky with the weather as was hot and sunny every day. We always take a BBQ, multiple electric cool boxes etc. We sectioned us all off with windbreakers and DD spent most of her days running around with her toys, balls, colouring book and pens. We bought a big bucket from B&Q and filled it up in the shower to bathe her she absolutely loved it. We had a great time but I know it could have easily gone the other way, it it rains it’s a nightmare without kids let alone with them. I love camping which shocks everyone as I also love my home luxuries and holidays abroad and I intend to take DD every year but this one (due DS in Sept). This time we only went 2 hours from home (we were near Lulworth Cove) so could have easily driven home if it was a disaster.

I've camped at 3 months pregnant and with an 18 month old - but not at the same time.
Travel cot, warm pjs, hat and sleeping bag for baby. We slung a blanket over the travel cot to make it darker.
We camped the furthest from the loos, which was a bit of an issue. But we managed.
Plan well.

I think it’s natural to be apprehensive and I would reserve the right to see how you are feeling pregnancy-wise and trust your gut on that. Or if you know you don’t fancy it it’s absolutely fine to say no.

But camping with a 12 month old definitely doable and can be fun. SIM mattresses are amazing, pricey but warmer and comfier than air beds. We normally take the sleeping bag baby uses at home in winter and layer up. All the fresh air seems to help them sleep better. A soft structured or other type of carrier is handy to carry baby around (maybe one for DH as you are preg. Sling libraries are great). Loads of snacks for you all is essential.

I only go camping with young kids with ehu ,i find ones with ehu have better facilities. Its easier with young kids that way

I put kids in a fleecy onesie at that age

Take your own bucket to wee in in your tent because if you are anything like me, ,you will need to go several times each night.

It can be fun, I promise! Did it loads with DD. My tips are: double up on onesies at night, get a double sleeping bag so you can all get in together (or shove DH and the little one in together if you need your space!), get a picnic blanket with waterproof underneath for letting LO play on outside the tent in the morning, waterproof onesie for LO when toddling through wet grass, several changes of Moccons as they'll all get soggy in said wet grass, and make sure DH knows you will need extra, EXTRA naps because as well as being pregnant your toddler will be waking with the birds every day!

Oh, and when I was camping while pregnant, I did occasionally use the toddler's potty in the tent for my many night wees 😳

Lol, exactly @Geneticsbunny

This sounds horrible and we are regular campers. Have a 4 and 1 year old. Had the offer of camping when pregnant with the 1 year old. Stayed in a cabin type thing with no loo and it was awful.

Did an upgraded cabin with beds and a heater last year when DS was 3 and DD had just turned 1. Just about bearable.

@BlondiePortz because OP says DH is desperate to go. Yes, she can say no but that puts her in the position to be the fun police and point out why it can't be done.

You are in a distinct minority if you would be happy to camp in the cold with no showers and grubby portaloos while pregnant and with a 12 month old.