Camping with Children

[Steve Austin]

Anyone done it?

She'll be 7 months old by then and was just wondering what babies of that age sleep in ie clothes, bedding etc

Any other tips would be really appreciated.

I've camped lots and have loads of good quality kit, so me and the missus will be fine, but i want to make sure its as easy for all of us as possible

 

[threebikesmcginty]

We took a travel cot with us and dressed our boy for bed as normal - it was in France in summer so nice and warm.

The one thing you have to do is chuck the regular routine out the window, bedtimes, etc.

 

[Hacienda71]

We took my daughter at about 7 months. She was fine, probably depends on how easy your child is to settle. Take lots of clothes and bedding. We had a sort of foldaway travel cot we had borrowed. It was a camping one though that was pretty lightweight though not a standard heavy travel cot. She has been every year since and both of our kids love it.

 

[Over The Hill]

Not seen you in Cafe for a while!

We have camped with kids from quite a young age. Babies are OK, just gets a bit tricky when they are more mobile and at the running/crawling away stage. Tricky to pen them in and to cook safely at that stage.

Last summer in Holland a young couple had a baby and still managed all-day cycle rides with a little two wheel pull along trailer thing.

Only thing is how they are at sleeping with it being quite light and a bit more going on at their bed time.

Really not any big problems though at any age. Nice chance to be with them and deal with simple things.

 

[rich p]

We took ours for a 3 day trial when they were 1.5 and 1. It was a disaster and we came home early! Babies may be better.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I took my daughter at 15 months and she was a dream.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Let her sleep in the travel cot a few times before you go, and bring fave animals etc. I would say keep to the routine rather than throw it out the window - it'll reassure her that things are still the same even though she in a different place. And bring a bit of bedding - it'll be colder for her than you think.

Otherwise, relax and enjoy it.

PS: remarks based on our experience.

 

[summerdays]

The very first time we went camping we had a 7 month old ... and he could crawl at that stage so it was definitely a case of being very watchful (we failed).

This is the result of a moment of not being watched:

and in closer detail if you look carefully you can see the cord goes under his neck and up the other side

I think we had him in one of those grow bag things and then blankets and right beside us. He is now 9 and has stopped trying to eat everything in sight - actually that's not quite true but at least he sticks to food.

 

[Steve Austin]

Cheers for that folks, i think i may have to review my tent of choice.

I've always used a 3 man tent, so i guess i might need something bigger. damn, bang goes my dream of being self sufficient and travelling light!

 

[Twenty Inch]

Are three of you going? If it's just you and the little one, a 3-man will be fine, but you may want to think about where you go if it's raining.

 

[fossyant]

Travelling light and babies don't go together..........

 

[Crackle]

Cheers for that folks, i think i may have to review my tent of choice.

I've always used a 3 man tent, so i guess i might need something bigger. damn, bang goes my dream of being self sufficient and travelling light!

Oh, oh. Things get bigger and heavier on an exponential scale when kids arrive. Once they get to about 10 or 12, you can reduce a bit but right now, you're looking for a big tent, a table, some chairs, more pots ........

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Travelling light and babies don't go together..........

Indeed, when we camped in France last year we had a Volvo estate stuffed to the gunwales, topbox too. It was a real struggle getting a few dozen bottles of wine in...