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Original poster

Camping with a Newborn

46 replies

peacepop465 · 28/03/2023 15:01

I have 2 SDC (8&9) that we have full time. They have had a lot of upheaval in their lives so I try really hard to give them consistency.

We always go camping the first week of the school holidays, then on another holiday towards the end. We've been going to this campsite for the past 5 years and so we know the other families that go at this time too. The kids all play together etc. It's about a 4 hour drive away.

I'm currently pregnant and due a week before the schools break up. I'm aware due dates aren't reliable and numerous things could happen but...

Am I being ridiculous in still considering going? A baby is going to be a big change anyway, I don't want to take away something else from them that they look forward to each year.

So, I guess my question is, providing baby comes out healthy pre-holiday, what should I consider? Newborns shouldn't be in car seats for longer than 30 minutes, do I break up the drive? Has anyone slept on an air mattress shortly after giving birth?

DH said it's up to me - I'm the driver and the more experienced camper. Kids are excited about the baby but they've not yet thought how it could affect the holiday, which I imagine will lead to a change in emotions (perfectly valid!)

Other holiday later on will obviously have to remain in the UK as I am not convinced we will get a passport in time - but we always change that up so less of an issue (just no guarantee of sun!!)

I know that managing to get away twice during the holidays is a privilege and maybe I am trying to have my cake and eat it too, but I really don't want to give this up if it's doable in any way. Please help me with my first world problems!

OP posts:
user1477249785 · 28/03/2023 15:04

I legitimately think this is a crazy idea. There is NO way you will want to be sleeping in a tent post partum with a newborn and all that that involves. Honestly don't do this.

mishmased · 28/03/2023 15:10

You will be bleeding loads, sweating, swollen and exhausted. Not a great combination for camping I would think. With a newborn in a campsite, I wouldn't do it. Congratulations on the baby, you come across as a caring stepmum, your kids are lucky to have you.

shakeitoffsis · 28/03/2023 15:10

I absolutely hate camping regardless but there's no way in hell I'd take a newborn

Desperatelywantinganother · 28/03/2023 15:13

Send them camping with their dad for a weekend at the beginning of summer, time it so some helpful family are visiting you. Lochia is a camp site is not going to work.
My baby was born at 42 weeks so there’s that to consider too.

MoreHassleThanItsWorth · 28/03/2023 15:13

Don't even consider doing this, it's crazy.

PuttingDownRoots · 28/03/2023 15:14

I'd go May half term.

You need time to recover... or could be in labour!

OhBanana · 28/03/2023 15:14

I agree you sound like a great step parent for trying to make it work but I promise you camping is the last thing you need with a newborn! Your body goes through the ringer regardless of how you give birth and you will want every bit of comfort and support available to you which will be hard to come by on a campsite! (Also practically the 4 hour drive will turn into an all day affair plus newborns can’t regulate their temperature well - this could be tricky or even dangerous if camping in a tent)

MrsBunnyEars · 28/03/2023 15:15

I love camping, but no.

A couple of issues - your planning (and the kids’ excitement) might well go to waste if you’re still pregnant or unable to travel; all the issue with post-birth chaos PPs say; and I doubt other campers will appreciate your nocturnal newborn.

But assuming no major problems I suspect you’d halve a great time (assuming you can work out a way to avoid disturbing others) at the end of the hols when you’ve had more time to settles

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 28/03/2023 15:16

I think you are right to think about this now, but that even considering going is mental.

Dh and the dsc can still go do a trip away that week if they like, or all go camping last week of the hols.

Personally I'd aim for him taking them away a few days then in leui and you and baby resting at home.

Littlegoth · 28/03/2023 15:16

That’s an awful idea for so many reasons. Newborns can’t regulate their temperature.
Newborn definitely shouldn’t sleep on an air bed.
What if there’s a heatwave?
What if there’s a cold snap?
What if you have stitches/a c section.
Colic.
What if you can’t breastfeed?
How will you sterilise?

Do you mind me asking if this is your first baby? If it is you’ve got a really slim chance of escaping unscathed (Only about 1in 5 end up without stitches/intervention/etc - sorry!) and with baby on time (large number go overdue with the first). I had loads of plans for my first couple of weeks of mat leave - it was covid so nothing too exciting. Oh how I look back now and laugh. Second baby coming in July. I’ve made a deliveroo list and that’s as active as I’m planning to get for the first couple of weeks (and I had an excellent recovery).

My baby woke every 2 hours. Minimum.

That means EVERYONE woke every 2 hours. Minimum.

This is normal.

And then - although really the least of your worries - it would royally piss me off if I was camping and someone else was inflicting this on me.

Someone else will be along shortly to say they gave birth in a forest and slept under the stars for the first few nights - but would you really want to??

Good luck and enjoy your baby! X

whattodo1975 · 28/03/2023 15:17

100% do not go.

I would suggest your husband just goes on his own with the kids, but then that leaves you alone with brand new baby which isn't ideal (could you mum come and stay whilst they are away perhaps ?)

Dbop100 · 28/03/2023 15:18

So many things that could go wrong to ruin this plan at the last minute. Not to mention it sounds like living hell. But you're such a sweet person to even consider it!

Better not to get their hopes up and then have to cancel at the last minute. That would be much worse.

Make a more sensible alternative plan with just their dad that is unshakable and can't be cancelled - or save the money and get them a special present each from the baby and they will still be thrilled xx

Sugargliderwombat · 28/03/2023 15:22

1 week! NO!!!

Tree543 · 28/03/2023 15:24

Don't go. It really really isn't a good idea. The car journey/the sleeping in a tent everything.

Is this the summer holidays you are talking about?
Surely your dsc will be more disappointed if they think they are going and you have to cancel last minute than if you manage their expectations now.

EyesOnThePies · 28/03/2023 15:28

We went on a UK holiday when Dc was 2.5 weeks old, which was easy due to having settled into breastfeeding. And staying in a hotel.

Things to consider:
You simply cannot be hefting heavy stuff about post partum.
Noise. If you have an unsettled baby crying at night you won’t be popular.
A 4 hour drive with a cluster-feeding baby? Possibly in boiling heat?

LilmissCa · 28/03/2023 15:28

Wow hats off to you for looking to go & be such a great stepmom!
But with how unpredictable labour, birth & recover is there is no way I would consider camping so soon.
With my 1DS I had forceps delivery & could barely sit or stand from a sofa for 2 weeks never mind an airbed.
My 2nd DD I had a great delivery but even the bleeding & general looking after a newborn I wouldn't dream of doing it anywhere but my own home.

If you have other support for you, you DH could take the kids. But in all honesty I would postpone, the kids will be so excited to see their little brother or sister I think they'll understand this once.

ODFOx · 28/03/2023 15:30

Put the tent up in the garden and let DH and DSCs camp there. They will have some space from the baby at night too which will be a bonus as tired kids are no fun.
Then you'll have some space, DH will be around if you need him, and the camping can still go ahead.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 28/03/2023 15:33

DH said it's up to me

At the moment, your dh is the one who has experienced life with a newborn. Does he even remember how hard it is? How knackered his ex wife will have been? How can he even think about this?

SeaToSki · 28/03/2023 15:33

I think its a good idea to plan now with them, get their input as to whether they would rather go with DH, go later, go earlier, not go and ‘camp in the garden at home’ with some fun day trips, would one of the other regular families have them for a couple of nights so they can see their camping friends..
Babies change things and mostly for the better, but camping with a very new baby and you still recovering from childbirth is a plan that is highly likely to end in tears

HealthyFats · 28/03/2023 15:34

I am usually v pro just getting on with things but I don't think this is a goer, sorry. The bleeding on its own will make it impractical. If all goes well, you could go for a week's camping at the end of the holidays maybe? (You may still have some bleeding but it will be manageable, you'll either have established BFing or got to grips with sterilising, etc etc).

AlltheFs · 28/03/2023 15:35

Absolutely 100% no. You cannot do this. Take them another time when your newborn is not so new. Or they go without you and the new baby.

I had an “easy” birth and baby and even then I couldn’t contemplate being anywhere other than at home. Newborns don’t belong in tents and postpartum mothers need home comforts so that the little sleep you all get is warm, safe and comfortable.

You can all go again another time, or you make a new tradition that accommodates you all.

gogohmm · 28/03/2023 15:35

I went camping when dd2 was 4 weeks - it was actually pretty easy, but do bare in mind this was my second child, I had a natural birth with no stitches and breastfeeding was a doddle second time around.

Not sure where this 40 mins in the car came in, my drive home from the hospital was longer! People had them in car seats all the time 20 years ago - we drove 3.5 hours with dd1 when she was 11 days old with one stop

Zoopyloo · 28/03/2023 15:37

We are really experienced campers and the kids have been brought up camping. We did take them camping from 3 months old however I wouldn’t even consider camping so close to the birth nor just after. It’s a bonkers idea and could go so terribly wrong. Even when we took the kids at 3 months we booked it very last minute as I wanted to make sure they were settled enough and I was healthy enough to contend with everything. We booked near to family on the understanding that I could go stay with them should it all go horribly wrong.

berksandbeyond · 28/03/2023 15:41

You’d be off your head to do this. The kids are old enough to understand doing it a different time!

Squamata · 28/03/2023 15:41

Admirable of you to want to try, but no no, definitely no

Do you have close friends/aunts/uncles who could go with the kids, or help you with the baby if your DH goes with the kids?

I'm a bit surprised your DH said it was up to you tbh!

If nothing else, your baby would probably wake all the other campers throughout the night.