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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

Would you take a 6month old camping in April in UK?

23 replies

bumbleweed · 20/04/2006 17:57

Going camping in Scarborough at the bank hol weekend - am I mad?

And how would you keep them warm in a tent in potentially subzero temperatures?

OP posts:

Roobie · 20/04/2006 18:15

We took ds camping in early June last year when he was 6 weeks old. It was actually quite chilly for the time of year so we stuck him in a vest, bodysuit and grobag which was fine. There was also the option to cover him with a blanket too but it wasn't necessary in the end. He was in his travel cot which kept him well off the ground for added protection.
So I'm sure he'll be fine with a suitable number of layers on - would definitely recommend a grobag/sleeping bag though.

Greensleeves · 20/04/2006 18:20

When is the bank holiday weekend?

CountessDracula · 20/04/2006 18:23

But then I wouldn't take a 39 yo camping in August in the S of France!

lapsedrunner · 20/04/2006 18:26

I am sure the baby will be fine, however I would find the whole thing too stressful to contemplate myself (with a baby I mean).

Moondog · 20/04/2006 18:27

eASIER at that age than 12 months or more!

Blandmum · 20/04/2006 18:28

Make sure you have insulation under the baby (in addition to the sleeping bag).

Layers are the key

Same goes for everyone.

Hot water bottle doesn't take up much room and can pre warm the bed?sleeping bag.

rummum · 20/04/2006 18:43

what if the baby wakes in the night... crying... what about the other campers??

I think I'd be a bit p**sed of is a baby woke me up... its bad enough with people snoring and having rows...

Cappucino · 20/04/2006 18:47

we tried this when dd was one

she started crying at 9pm and wouldn't sleep

I drove her round till 3am

then dh drove her round till 8am

Original poster

bumbleweed · 20/04/2006 18:49

end of april greensleeves (saturday week)

oh she will most likely wake up crying in the night rummum, as do other children on campsite I've been on .... mind you loud drunk people disturb others too (but those days are over for me now )

yes I should def be thinking layers - what about one of those furry all over sleep suits that zip up?

OP posts:

purpleturtle · 20/04/2006 18:55

We camped in May with a 4 month old. Friends lent us a proper baby sleeping bag - v. cute, which we put on top of blankets in a suitcase (not done up, obviously!). Nights were very cold, but he was the only one who didn't seem to mind.

Roobie · 20/04/2006 19:44

Ds slept fine when we took him, as far as he was concerned he was in his bed at home as the routine etc was the same. We also had 3yo dd along and she was more of a handful tbh - I think her sleep was distrurbed by the loud gathering of adults getting pissed around the barbeque bang outside the tent

LIZS · 20/04/2006 19:46

I wouldn't want to go camping in April in England. Used to be nippy asnd damp enough at end of May and even then I wouldn't run the risk of incessant kiddie whinging , sorry !

Original poster

bumbleweed · 20/04/2006 20:57

I know, its the cold I'm worried about. The friends we are going with are very hardy and last time we went we were totally rained out - I mean p*ssing buckets, campsite turned into a lake, tents flooded etc - they just pulled on wellies and waterproof trousers. We packed up the car and headed for the nearest pizza hut. Want to show them we are not total wusses but dont want utter misery!

OP posts:

fennel · 20/04/2006 21:08

i'd take them, probably much easier than taking toddlers camping, that can be a PITA as they are so mobile. with a baby you just have to keep them warm and dry. lots of clothes and spare clothes it's more convenient if you're breastfeeding i guess, bottles and sterilising can be a bit hard work in the mud.

we are fair weather campers though, we check the weather forecast and don't go if it looks too grim. but that's for our own sake, the children don't seem to mind.

Unity · 20/04/2006 21:18

After taking my 3 year old camping in August in the UK last year I have made the decision to not camp in the UK again util she is older and having experienced the horrific, bitter cold no I won't be taking my 6month old this year or the next. It's just to cold in the uk at night, even for me. I thought my nipples were going to explode off me they were so so painfully erect one night!

Original poster

bumbleweed · 22/04/2006 21:37

hmmm unity, good point well put. Breastfeeding in the freezing cold .... and I was worried about the baby??!!

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groggymama · 22/04/2006 22:59

just been to S'boro at Easter and it was nice and warm, my sil got sun burn, but paddling is a no no

tarantuless · 22/04/2006 23:07

We bought dd a proper camping sleeping bag and she was fine camping at 6 mnths. We do camp with smnall tents tho so she was right next to me but on the ground. We dont have any fancy stuff like blow up beds as we backpack. I made sure we had plenty of layers under us and over us and both of us slept like logs. If you are going to do it I'd advise keeping baby wiht you and that way they keep warm. Mind you I do believe that the ONLY way to camp is with DECENT sleeping bags cos I HATE being cold

fennel · 23/04/2006 13:11

if you don't have really good sleeping bags take a duvet to put on top. it feels very snug.

Nemo1977 · 23/04/2006 13:54

Im taking a 4mth old for may bank hols. Just make sure baby is well wrapped. I am using a fleece sleepsuit with grobag.

Original poster

bumbleweed · 08/05/2006 22:29

Okay I now know that the answer is .... never again. It was COLD COLD BLOODY COLD! We love camping but have concluded that it is for the summer and the summer only.

Had dd wrapped up nice and warm, but she took ages to settle and then woke every half hour - its tough getting up frequently in the night for a crying baby, but its a hell of a lot tougher when you are bloody freezing and either reaching into a travel cot (initially) or all 3 of your squeezed onto a double airbed, and you have to negotiate about 5 layers of clothing in order to get your boob out to feed.

Anyway just thought I would update!

We only managed the one night.

OP posts:

Nemo1977 · 08/05/2006 22:31

nightmare bumbleweed..not holding out much hope for us at whit holiday..lol

Original poster

bumbleweed · 09/05/2006 16:36

oh best of luck nemo - hopefully even if its a few degrees warmer for you by the end of the month it could make all the difference

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