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Original poster

Has anyone taken a baby camping?

37 replies

MADDI · 14/04/2004 09:59

Youngest dd will be 10 months when we might go, oldest nearly 4. Has anyone taken a baby camping in ordinary tent? Is there any risk of them getting cold/damp/ill? Any tips?

OP posts:
tatcity · 14/04/2004 14:20

Yes, have done it a few times - great thing to do, especially for the older one. Depends when you're thinking of going with cold/damp - are you thinking here or abroad? But never had a problem between May and Sept here. You can get special sleeping bags for babies can't you - thats what we used last year and extra blankets in case. I think if anything its very healthy for kids as camping means they spend all the time outside - obviously as long as its not freezing outside!!! Go for it - i'm sure it'll be fine....

Original poster
MADDI · 14/04/2004 21:06

Great, thanks for the advice tatcity! Already have a baby sleeping bag for my littlest one so will use that with extra blankets. Did you put baby in a travel cot or similar in tent or just onordinary bed roll? She often sleeps with us anyway, so probably no different!

OP posts:
cuppy · 14/04/2004 21:10

Maddi - so pleades youve brought this up. We usually go camping every year but recently had dd ( 8wks). Couldnt imagine taking her camping - but my parent ( eager keen campers) say they see it all the time? We have a trailer tent, electricity etc so we have heating but I just couldnt imagine it. I would worry all the time

emmagee · 14/04/2004 21:16

We are off camping in August when my due-any-day baby will be 4 months. One camp site said they didn't allow babies under 12 months which has now made us a little concerned at how annoying it will be for other campers to listen to the bleating of a small baby? I guess we'll just have to suck it and see - sleeping bag sounds like a good idea, although it will still be sleeping with us at that age.

tatcity · 14/04/2004 21:16

Yes we used a travel cot at one end of tent, 4 year old on own air bed and us on double air bed in the middle. Was great fun, they loved waking up and being in the same room as us.

My sister took her 3 week old camping once!

I find it really relaxing, love being outside.

Where are you thinking of going?

Janh · 14/04/2004 21:17

Maddi, Katherine is your woman for camping with babies, I'll see if I can find her best thread!

tatcity · 14/04/2004 21:18

emmagee - wouldn't worry about that. It was mostly the older kids who would disturb at some ungodly hour in the morning - i think people don't mind as it is a family sort of thing to do isn't it? I don't think most campsites would mind.

Good luck with your baby!

tabitha · 14/04/2004 21:19

Haven't ever done it myself but my brother and sil took their (then) 7 week old daughter camping in the Lake District a few years ago and seemed to get on fine. It was the middle of summer though and pretty warm. I think she slept in a carry cot.

cuppy · 14/04/2004 21:21

Emmagee - are you going camping in this county... If so maybe I will give it a go!

Original poster
MADDI · 14/04/2004 21:22

Thanks for all of your advice. I think we'll just go for it and see. If you could find Katherine that would be great.

Anyone know a good campsite around North Yorkshire?

OP posts:
emmagee · 14/04/2004 21:44

We're going to Cornwall, near Crantock, a really idyllic campsite where friends go every year, very low density, basically a big field with 12 large pitches arranged around the edge, good shower block and a 10 minute walk to the beach. I can't wait - just got to have this flipping baby first!

emmagee · 14/04/2004 21:45

Forgot to mention we have a 5 year old and 2 year old so it was never going to be peaceful!!!!

cuppy · 14/04/2004 21:46

Good luck - I think my main worry would be disurbing other campers too, especially if dd up all night

Original poster
MADDI · 14/04/2004 21:46

Have you tried raspberry leaf tea (only if you are over 36 weeks) and pineapple? Worked for me, 2nd dd was 2 weeks early and in a hurry!!

OP posts:
cuppy · 14/04/2004 21:47

Emmagee - your babe will be 4 mths? I take it youll be bf?

Original poster
MADDI · 14/04/2004 21:47

sorry, that message was for emmagee, not a remedy for quietening toddlers! (though who knows?)

OP posts:
Jimjams · 14/04/2004 21:48

We've done it ds2 at 7 months- and my aunt took my cousin camping at 2 weeks old (it WAS her 4th child!)

emmagee · 14/04/2004 22:00

MADDI, I've tried everything, but both previous babies were very late - one 10 days, one 2 weeks, this one is due this coming Sunday so fingers crossed for an early bird! Yes cuppy I will be breastfeeding so not worried about sterilising etc.

zanzibar95 · 14/04/2004 22:00

We have 4 children and they have all camped every year. No more of a problem than staying anywhere with small children although it can be a bit dismal when it is relentless british rain! Definitely to be recommended.

Original poster
MADDI · 14/04/2004 22:02

emmagee..ok maybe i'm just, lucky, both mine were early!! Hope it all goes well

feeling enthusiastic about babies and camping now.

OP posts:
cuppy · 14/04/2004 22:03

I ve just finished b/f so would have to take steriliser etc.....any mumus been exceptionally well organised and done that

popsycal · 14/04/2004 22:04

oooh freddiecat is the one you want for this....

Original poster
MADDI · 14/04/2004 22:05

you can get the disposable steribottles from boot now, how old will baby be? if you need to sterilise spoons etc may just have to lug it all there !

OP posts:
tatcity · 14/04/2004 22:13

Cuppy - just sterilised stuff in boiling water for 10 minutes on camping stove!! And used ready made up cartons of formula.

cuppy · 14/04/2004 22:16

Love the idea of pre sterilised bottles. If we go camping dd will be 6 mths - worried about the cold nights though - weather not reliable in sunny Devon - even in aug!