Camping with a Newborn

[peacepop465]

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!

Pretty sure I remember reading that 50% of first time mums are still pregnant at 40 +7 so very likely you'll not have had the baby when the holiday starts. Only 5% of babies arrive on their due date

Honestly just no, no, no..... no.

No, just no. Especially if you're the only driver. No.

Are you insane? Even if the baby comes on time you will be in pain or at leat discomfort, bleeding, potentially sorting out breastfeeding..

No, tent can overheat really quickly, I know we all imagine drizzly camping but it been. Red hot the last few times I've been and you will need shelter for the baby but not the tent in the daytime.

Plus your post birth body would not want to be on an air mattress on th floor.

Othe campers will not want to hear a newborn every hour through the night.

You will all need night time wee's

Just not a good idea

I absolutely love camping but would run a mile from this idea.

I went last year with a 12month old and it was enjoyable but the inside of the tent got to nearly 39 degrees, no way would I want a newborn who cant regulate in that plus the night time drops to about 17 so fairly unpredictable. My LO struggled with it being so warm when going down to sleep despite trying everything to keep the tent cool.

I also had an episiotomy and couldn’t sit / walk / drive for long for the first two weeks, let alone the heavy blood flow or night sweats I was experiencing and pain if I’m honest. My LO was also small for gestational age and was weighed really frequently in the first two weeks and the midwife never gave a time so I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this as it’s vital in my opinions to ensure everything is on the right track in those first few weeks. Plus, given a lot of newborns cry a lot, is that fair to the other campers? and if you’re going to formula feed need constant washing / sterilising etc I don’t think it’s practical.

Im due again this summer and I’m tempted with a caravan type holiday instead when baby will be around 10 weeks and I think will then be more manageable, hopefully.

I wouldn't fancy a 4 hour drive after just having a baby. You'll be exhausted. Could your husband take the children somewhere for a few days?

From experience, 1 week old no, 5-6 weeks old upwards perfectly doable

Please abandon this idea. Even if it works for your family (debateable), it definitely won't be a holiday for you! I think the idea of camping in the garden is inspired, and days out for dh and the kids, either with or without you and your newborn, depending on how you both feel.

With a newborn, definitely not. It may be possible by about 6 weeks, when you’ve recovered from the birth and are getting into the swing of looking after a baby.

We went camping in the south of France with a 4 week old (our second child). The nights can still get cold over there even though its really hot, that was the only thing I worried about really. I was exclusively breastfeeding so I didn't have to think of any of the logistics of feeding with a bottle. During the journey I sat in the back and we stopped every every 2 hours, it took us 3 days to get there, it was a loooong journey with all the stops. We also had an 18 month old at the time too, we had a fantastic holiday once there though.

I think it's do able as it's your 3rd child assuming everything goes OK birth wise (my third was my worst and took about 2 months for me to be able to walk properly again 😬). Hopefully you won't be as unlucky as me. I think my main worry over here would be night time temperature, we went camping with a 4 month old (different baby) in this country during an August heatwave (covid stopped us going abroad) and it got pretty chilly. I'd look at getting a self inflating mat and base instead of an airbed for you and have the baby sleep off the floor in the carrycot.

I think if you are the camping "type" generally and it's your 3rd child you'd find it fine and have a nice time. If you aren't, it'd be your worst nightmare. I'd book and then see how things go, with our holiday we'd have gone sooner but we were waiting for the appointment to register the birth and then for the passport to come.

Love your enthusiasm, but it's a "absolutely fucking no way" from me 🤣

I'm due end of summer and I'm planning on sending DP away for the night to a kids theme park, have you got anywhere localish he can do that?

Thanks. As I said I was pretty sure I was being ridiculous but just didn't want to give it up!!

I'm the only driver and there's no way he'd go camping without me (he's only been twice, it's normally just me & the kids). We normally go away anyway during the May half term so will definitely do that (without DH), and I'll start having the difficult conversations that more things are going to change.

So far it's only really been the car that's been seen as a negative (I'm not best pleased with the new car either, it's like driving a tank!) but I guess it'll be an adjustment for everyone.

We're going to Blackpool in 2 weeks time (had to use up CC vouchers) and I'm expecting an upset when youngest gets scared and I can't go on a roller coaster with her. I had the discussion before booking, but I'm sure on the day it'll be very different.

Thanks for the dose of reality.

I'd set up a camp site in the back garden. Make s'mores etc

I hate that term "first world problems"....We live in a first world so......

Anyhow, crazy idea. Newborn babies need to be at home, their immune systems aren't developed enough for camping! absolute madness to even consider it.

If only Azaria chamberlains mother had been sensible enough to wait all of those years ago...

Camping can wait.

When you talk about how things will change, try to keep it really positive and try not to 'blame the baby'

Say you can't do camping this year because you won't be well enough to drive. You can set up tents in the garden and have a sleep out with dad.

Talk about exciting things like getting to know their new playmate. Involve them in shopping for baby (and get them some things too) involve them in name discussions etc.

It's good you're getting away with them in May so you can have some solo time with them as well.

I don't have anything to add to the camping question, but just wanted to say that you sound like a wonderful step mum! Those children are very lucky to have you.

I think it's really inconsiderate to take a newborn if you plan on sleeping in tents? Everyone knows how much babies cry and the crying will annoy everyone in the night etc.

Agree with everyone else - no way.
The safety of baby comes first and you can't control their environment (heat/damp etc) in a tent. A midwife/health visitor will want to check in on you both and won't be impressed if you say they can't as you will be camping.

Then of course your safety - you might be sore/ had a c section/ sweating and shivering with mastitis etc. You need to rest and recover.

I appreciate you have said your children have had a lot of disruption but be careful they aren't taking their lead from you if they treat cancelling camping as a big deal. I don't think for most people this would be a difficult conversation. It's simple "obviously we can't go camping this year as we'll be looking after our new baby - won't that be exciting? - we'll be going on holiday a little later in the summer though when baby is a bit bigger"

You need to model positivity about the changes that are coming as if you think the changes are negative and difficult then your children will pick up on that.

PP had a good idea - camp at home.

You'll be bleeding, leaking, sweating and God only knows what else. A cannot imagine going camping a week after a small human shot out of my birth canon.

Also, if you end up having a c section you won't be able to drive....and if you have stitches I very much doubt you will want to do a 4 hour + journey!