Camping with a 2 Month Old

ewitt22 · 2025-04-13T16:06:05+00:00

Hiya! We haven’t had our baby girl yet but she is due in June. We holiday to Cornwall every year in our motorhome. We are planning/hoping to take her with us in August so she will be just over 2 months old. Does anyone have any do’s and don’t for holidaying with a new baby or any tips? I’m more concerned about the drive down as it’s about 6.5 hours without stops. I’m planning for us to stop 4 times on the way down for feeds & to give her some movement

TeaRoseTallulah · 13/04/2025 17:13

Honestly,I would just wait and see how you feel before making any firm plans. 8 weeks is very early ,I admire anyone who can leave the house in one piece at 6-8 weeks post birth BUT you might be one of the lucky ones who has no issues at all and are fine,just don't put any pressure on yourself.

Acc0untant · 13/04/2025 17:22

I think it's bonkers to be thinking about going to be honest.

Your baby might be overdue in which case they're closer to 6 weeks old. It's only at 8 weeks they're sad to be able to do 2 hours at a time in the car, before then it's 20-30 minutes.

There'll be lots of people who had to travel that early (or who healed brilliantly and we're running a 10k by 8 weeks) but for a lot it just doesn't happen. I breastfed and was glued to the sofa for what felt like hours and hours at that age, it was also peak fatigue era for me. 8 weeks of hardly any sleep took it's toll, the first few weeks were easier but it grinds you down. We did say trips but I wanted my home comforts at that stage.

I had a vaginal birth, home within 6 hours, healed really well but it still would have been too much to go on holiday at 8 weeks postpartum.

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 13/04/2025 17:25

DS was two weeks late, then I had a section - I wouldn’t have been able to sit in car for 6 hours, let alone the baby! I too would wait and see how you feel, 8 weeks is really early.

SeventeenClovesOfGarlic · 13/04/2025 17:25

It's not recommended for babies to be in a car seat for more than 2 hours in a 24 hour period, due to pressure on their spine and restricted breathing.

Blarn · 13/04/2025 17:29

You might be fine and have a really great time. You might not. I would ha e struggled to sit for long periods in a car after dd1, I was still very sore from a healing episiotomy. After dd2 I could have managed a trip like it though. I wouldn't plan anything now, see how you feel closer to the time.

Also something to bare in mind is that very early mornings even in a hot August can be chilly so take more layers for baby sleeping than you would use in the house.

MiddleAgedDread · 14/04/2025 09:58

try a night or two closer to home before you go all that way

converseandjeans · 14/04/2025 10:21

We camped in a tent when DD was 8 weeks and again when she was a few weeks older. She was sleeping through by 6 weeks though & so we didn’t have an issue with her waking up the campsite. We took baby sleeping bag to keep warm & I think travel cot.

I think the fresh air was good for her & got her used to camping early on. If yours does wake up please take them for a walk in the buggy though - I’ve been woken up by other people with babies & toddlers who don’t seem to worry about noise travelling.

It’s probably harder work at 18 months as they try to run off.

Caipulli · 15/04/2025 04:46

My baby is five weeks old and we just came back from a weekend away albeit we stayed in a chalet. It was a two and half hour drive and it was fine - she was quiet in the car the whole way (we had one stop to breastfeed on the way) and it was really nice to get out. My friends were hiking etc during the day and I just stayed in the chalet and chilled with baby but it was nice to have a change of scenery.
We are planning to have two nights of camping mid May somewhere close to home to test it out and she will be around eight weeks.
I had been feeling a bit apprehensive before before the chalet weekend but not anymore. I would just probably advise making sure your plans can be canceled (refunded?) if it’s possible as it’s true you won’t know how you’ll feel but I think it’s ok to plan this.
Over six hours is a very long drive though, I would maybe break it up with an overnight stay somewhere if possible? Because with breaks this will be more like 8 hours, I couldn’t cope with that long in à car!
I hadn’t heard that about not driving more than two hours in car seat with baby due to breathing - what age is that until??
I asked about a four hour drive in the hospital after giving birth and they said it was ok, just to have breaks to give the baby a changé of position

Caipulli · 15/04/2025 04:50

For sleeping arrangements, we bought a travel cot but it seemed so huge we just slept her in her pram cot next to our bed (and it was a good thing we brought it as the travel court would not even have fitted in the room!)
I guess we might do the same in the tent in a few weeks.

LouiseTopaz · 15/04/2025 05:03

You can't judge how she will be, my son had colic and cried for six hours straight everyday until he was around three months old. Your daughter might sleep all-day and be a dream. You can't predict their temperaments. Something more serious is that babies that young should not be in car seats for more than two hours. Plus they will want there mum and to be held.

Cheerfulcharlie · 15/04/2025 05:15

I think the travel will be fine if you do all those stops. My main concern would be how soundproof the motorhome was with all the night wake ups as it would stress me out if I thought we were disturbing the neighbours.

I had an emergency c-section and it did take about 6 weeks to feel ok again but by 8 weeks I felt fine to travel 7 hrs on a plane back to the uk and holiday (with a toddler too). You can always see how you feel at the time.

TurnThatLightOn · 15/04/2025 05:16

I can imagine, before my first was born, that I would be thinking it was easily doable. The reality was very different. I was still spending my days in pyjamas covered in milk. Some might have an easier baby/more help and feel able to do it. I don't think you can just assume it'll go smoothly until you're in the thick of it and see how you feel then

VexedOfKin · 15/04/2025 05:46

I think you need to keep an open mind about the fact that how you might actually be feeling could wildly differ from how you imagine you will be feeling at 8 weeks post partum now, especially if it's your first baby. The same goes for your DH: I think it's easy to think 8 weeks is 'ages' and that surely things will be well on the way to being settled by then, both with your post partum healing and your DD's sleep and feeding. Partners (who are not directly experiencing the intense feelings associated with living in a 'fourth trimester' body) can find it extra hard to understand how it can take a really long time to get to a place of feeling strong enough to venture out in the way you describe, especially if they themselves have been looking forward to something. Don't let anyone pressure you into going away if you're not up for it.

A long drive in a massive vehicle needs a caution anyway: your husband is likely to be sleep-deprived which is awful when you're driving long distances on a monotonous motorway. If DD struggles to settle during the journey, he might have to drive, stuck on the motorway, with the unrelenting sound of an inconsolable distressed baby (this really gets under many people's skin) without a safe space to stop and take a break for many miles. Only attempt this if you are 100% certain that your DP has the patience of a saint and is unwaveringly an absolutely unflappable rock under pressure who has never ever shown even the smallest smidgen of irritation on the road before. Seriously.

We went tent camping when DD2 was 6 weeks old. I was reasonably healed up by then, but just being out of routine and away from home comforts and our regular set-up was hard, especially when sleep deprived. I love camping and am in my element under canvas in a faraway field but I remember bitterly regretting agreeing to go, despite DP doing literally everything while I fed DD and tried catching up with sleep.

Passmetheaero · 15/04/2025 06:59

It’s an absolutely horrendous idea.

Original poster

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 13:35

Passmetheaero · 15/04/2025 06:59

It’s an absolutely horrendous idea.

Having a lovely time Thankyou

OP posts:

Original poster

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 13:37

Acc0untant · 13/04/2025 17:22

I think it's bonkers to be thinking about going to be honest.

Your baby might be overdue in which case they're closer to 6 weeks old. It's only at 8 weeks they're sad to be able to do 2 hours at a time in the car, before then it's 20-30 minutes.

There'll be lots of people who had to travel that early (or who healed brilliantly and we're running a 10k by 8 weeks) but for a lot it just doesn't happen. I breastfed and was glued to the sofa for what felt like hours and hours at that age, it was also peak fatigue era for me. 8 weeks of hardly any sleep took it's toll, the first few weeks were easier but it grinds you down. We did say trips but I wanted my home comforts at that stage.

I had a vaginal birth, home within 6 hours, healed really well but it still would have been too much to go on holiday at 8 weeks postpartum.

Been here 3 days and it’s been wonderful thanks x

OP posts:

Acc0untant · 20/08/2025 16:41

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 13:37

Been here 3 days and it’s been wonderful thanks x

Show quote history

I'd suggest your time is better spent elsewhere rather than hashing up your old thread with passive aggressive responses to anyone who suggested it might not be a good idea. Hindsight is 20/20. Could easily have been different.

MiddleAgedDread · 20/08/2025 16:52

So tell us your tips then......

noidea69 · 20/08/2025 16:55

big respect for the passive aggressiveness of resurrecting this thread.

Original poster

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 20:00

I suggest that instead of your glass half empty approach for a worried first time mum. Maybe choose your wording better and give supporting advice in the future

OP posts:

Passmetheaero · 20/08/2025 20:02

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 13:35

Having a lovely time Thankyou

Show quote history

Didn’t ask.

Original poster

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 20:04

😘😘😘

OP posts:

Original poster

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 20:10

i have definitely over packed! 😂 did regular stops on the way down, had toys on the head rest so baby could see them and be amused. I was also sat beside her the whole way. She slept pretty much 80% of the journey. I luckily have been fine after my section and was up and about a week after recovering well! We modified our bed in our van to allow her to sleep next to me. We’ve got all our home comforts with us and all the things she been showing a preference too!

OP posts:

Acc0untant · 20/08/2025 20:51

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 20:00

I suggest that instead of your glass half empty approach for a worried first time mum. Maybe choose your wording better and give supporting advice in the future

My advice was supportive, but nae bother. These things can go either way and maybe instead of the smug attitude you should just be quietly grateful you've not had as big a tough time of it, something you wouldn't have known when you originally posted for advice.

Jellycat32 · 24/08/2025 10:11

ewitt22 · 20/08/2025 20:10

i have definitely over packed! 😂 did regular stops on the way down, had toys on the head rest so baby could see them and be amused. I was also sat beside her the whole way. She slept pretty much 80% of the journey. I luckily have been fine after my section and was up and about a week after recovering well! We modified our bed in our van to allow her to sleep next to me. We’ve got all our home comforts with us and all the things she been showing a preference too!

how long did it take you to get down the Cornwall? We do the same trip every year and our baby will be the same age!! I only googled this thread on hope someone else had done it! And reading the other negative ones I was like oh🫣. but then some very positive ones and now your experience too ☺️. Is there anything you’d change or take?