Planning a camping trip this year and not sure how to go about when you have a baby? Below you will find helpful tips for taking a baby camping.
Tips For Taking A Baby Camping
Camping really is such a great way for the whole family to relax, spend time together and enjoy the great outdoors. But sometimes it can be a little overwhelming to plan for if you have a baby to take on the trip.
But it can be down and can be just as enjoyable with a little preparation. We are going to go over some of the basics for taking a baby camping as well as some things you may not have even thought of.
Pack The Essentials:
When it comes to going camping with a baby, things can go one of two ways. Everything can fall into place or you can find yourself taking off to the closest store.
By making a point to pack the essentials and more than you think you will need. You will take away stress during your camping trip and save money from not having to buy items like diapers and wipes from the overpriced camp store.
The best way to do this is to watch how much your baby uses of items like diapers and formula in the length of time you have planned your trip.
Then pack double their average use in with your camping gear. This will eliminate the risk of your stock running low. For clothing triple, your babies average use to account for messes from being outdoors.
You will also want to bring a plastic tote or baby bathtub as camps normally only have showers. That way you can fill with a little water and use to give the baby a bath.
Prepare Protection For Baby:
Camping can be a great experience for families but it also makes for some challenges to protect your baby from the elements.
Young babies can not be directly treated with sunscreen and insect repellents so a little creativity is needed. An umbrella can be a great way to protect your baby from the sun while you have fun.
Simply hold the umbrella over you (or use a beach one you can put in the ground) and your baby for shade or use it to shade your babysitting down.
Mosquito nets are a great advantage for protecting your baby from insects. When your baby falls asleep place them in your Pack and Play covering the top with mosquito netting to help keep insects out.
Most bug sprays are not safe for use around infants. You can still use whole plants and hydrosols around babies allowing you to repel insects.
Lavender hydrosol or packets of lavender are great for repelling insects. Burning rosemary in your campfire is a wonderful option as well.
Get Some Helping Hands:
While you may have things under control at home where you have the comforts of a full kitchen and running water it can be a bit harder on a camping trip.
The first thing you can do is to get a baby carrier if you do not have one yet. This will give you an extra set of hands while you get things done around the campsite and make enjoying your time hiking a lot easier.
Along with a baby carrier, you can really benefit from extra people willing to help with your baby. From entertaining baby while you cook. Or holding your sleeping baby so you can take a breather and enjoy yourself as well.
An extra person or two that really enjoys helping with your baby can be a great addition to your camping plans. This is why camping with a baby is great when you have friends and family joining on the trip.
Yes, it can be down on your own, but having helpers just makes it easier.
Slow Down A Bit:
Camping with a baby means you will need to make adjustments to your normal camping routine. Having your baby on your camping trip is the perfect excuse to slow things down a bit and enjoy yourself.
Plan activities around your baby’s napping schedule and take time to just relax while your baby naps.
If your baby becomes over-stimulated and fussy take a break to allow your baby to calm down and recenter before they reach their limit and fussing becomes screaming. This can help make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.
Don’t Forget The Camera:
Your baby’s first camping trip will be packed with photograph opportunities you don’t want to miss. Pack your camera and a charger.
If you have a good phone camera that can do the trick. Portable power packs are a great way to have power for photos during your trip so you can preserve those wonderful memories.
Be sure to ask someone else to document you with your baby as well. So often we are the ones behind the camera and not in the photo with our babies.
If you are looking for more camping tips, here are a few other posts to check out.
- 8 Skills to Learn for Camping
- Camping Hacks That Really Work!
- Tips for Surviving Camping with Kids
- Camp Cooking Hacks On Over The Fire Cooking
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