Extended campervan trip with a 9 month old - am I mad?

[agirlcalledvicky]

Wondering whether anyone had any advice about our rough plans for a van trip this Spring - we wanted to go on a longer trip before I go back to work after my maternity leave - DS will be 9 months then.

We are thinking of a 6 week trip around Spain and Portugal in our little VW van but I am feeling a bit clueless as to how much fun this will be with a 9 month old. My main worries are the sleeping / napping in the van and whether we will all go stir-crazy if the weathers not too good. I am guessing most babies aren't that mobile still at 9 months and we can entertain him in a small space. He's only just fallen into a (very very) rough routine of his own and is a very laid back little chap but is a sleep monster and very crabby if he doesn't get his naps.

Probably fretting about nothing and it will be a fab trip but just have some niggling doubts - if anyone has any experience I would love your input! Thanks

Sounds super to me! Go for it! DS is small enough and flexible enough to think tht's the way things are. Hopefully he won't be walking so you won't have trouble with him needing LOADS of space and running off / falling out of the van / messing with the fire etc.

You're worried about sleeping but can he not sleep in the car seat as you are driving? Or in the pram if you are walking round places? Or even you three have a chill-out time/siesta and let him sleep then? As long as he is comfortable I'm sure you can work something out that would fit that.

We went to Glastonbury in a caravan with my DD when she was 11 months old. We stopped places on the way and on the way back. The long drive was the worst bit but we stopped often to give her breaks from the car seat. Other than that sleeping in the van was easy, we had a big bag of books and toys to keep her amused and a buggy and sling to get her about in.
If the weather is bad you can still go out with the rain cover on the buggy - there will be cafes and libraries and shops to go in where you can get some shelter etc.

It sounds like a perfect opportunity to make some wonderful memories and will probably be a lot easier than in a year's time when they start getting stroppy and want to be off "doing stuff" more and get more independence.

Good luck - you're making me jealous!

Thanks for the reply. I am really looking forward to it but have all these irrational baby worries. Sleeping is my main one, DS is not a good sleeper in the car or a pushchair he loves his bed but I think we will have to get into siesta mode too - no hardship! I think you are right the long drive will be the worst part but will just have to take our time and have plenty of breaks.

Everyone I have spoke to so far thinks we are mad and it will be hellish so its nice to hear a positive reply! We fancy a festival next summer - glad to Glastonbury was fun with a baby!

enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
we are taking our rv, bigger than vw to france for 6 weeks in summer
have done this since 3 kids 5 n 3,3 and ALWAYS have brill time
this year they'll be 14,12,12 and joined by 6 month old - we cant wait!

You're worried about your DS not being a good sleeper but things can change amazingly in even a week never mind a few months. And you never know - he may even prefer sleeping in the buggy when you are away and sleep better as he is so wiped out with all the fresh air!

Glasto was great with DD (but only because we were in a caravan!). We went to the Wychwood Festival last year with 2 children and are going there again this year - gluttons eh! Good luck and enjoy!

We did a lot of trips in our VW van with a baby, and then with baby and toddlers. With one baby it was brilliant, and easy. Definitely go for it. a van is like a little playground for them.

We got rid of the VW van when we had 3 children under 5 and it was hell then, like a tin of very noisy wriggly sardines, but with 2 adults and a baby it was just right.

A very portable age.
We did this when our youngest was 12 months (and our oldest 4). So he was standing up, and toddling about a little. Best holiday we have ever had. We drove to Poland from London, and spent time on the northern beaches, it was fab.

go go go

we did loads of long trips - it's easy when they're babies, and makes looking after them a lot more fun!