Camping with Babies and Toddlers
Camping Tips with Your Small Child Campers
Babies and toddlers love to go camping. Still, there are issues related to weather, bugs and sleep. Here are tips on fun and happy camping with babies and toddlers.
It is fairly amazing to go camping with babies and toddlers, and they certainly enjoy the change of scenery. Many times parents think babies are too young to go camping, but that is entirely untrue. You do, however, need to consider and address a variety of issues before camping with a baby or toddlers. Here's a rundown.
Camping with Babies and Toddlers Issue #1: Weather
This is a particularly important one, especially with newborns or young infants. You will probably never find a campground that maintains a steady 70 degrees day and night, so first of all recognize that some temperature fluctuation is OK.
Be prepared with layers and cozy sleepware and blankets for cool evenings, and warm weather activities like a pool on site for high temperatures. Also consider camping somewhere that has available cooled or heated accommodations like cabins just in case, or even camp not too far away from home or alternative lodging. What you want to avoid (or be prepared to handle) is being out in weather extremes of temperature, or weather events such as severe thunderstorms.
Camping with Babies and Toddlers Issue #2: Bugs and Critters
Camping is in the great outdoors, so just be vigilant about the typical bugs, animals and critters. You might contact the campground beforehand to ask which bugs and wildlife you can expect, and what you can do to be prepared. Also be sure to bring baby-friendly insect repellant lotion. Also don't leave sweet baby and toddler foods out where they can attract bears and wildlife. Instead be sure they are in airtight containers.
Camping with Babies and Toddlers Issue #3: Safety
For a baby or toddler, camping is incredible. It also means they are not confined like they typically are at home. You might consider how you plan to control the movement of your baby or toddler in a place that could very well have many hazards, particularly drowning hazards like pools and rivers. It doesn't take long for a mobile toddler to disappear. You might consider a portable playpen or self-contained gate such as the SuperYard XT.
Camping with Babies and Toddlers Issue #4: Sleep
Any baby or toddler will find it a challenge to sleep in a new place, so you really do need to step in and help avoid that. Continue routines as much as possible, and bring favorite stuffed toys and a sound machine. Consider whether you will get a travel baby bed, or buy a nice large air mattress for parents and baby or toddler to co-sleep. Also consider whether your baby or toddler will be able to get out of your tent during your sleep when deciding on a sleep space.
If you're camping in summer, also be prepared for your baby or toddler to want to stay up later than normal. They won't have the normal cues for nighttime such as a dark room with closed curtains, and sunset can be quite late.
Camping with Babies and Toddlers Issue #5: Care and Comfort
Comfort is key for babies, toddlers and parents. Consider getting a nice family tent that is roomy enough for everyone, particularly one with high pouches and pockets to store things out of reach of little hands. Also be sure to bring appropriate food for baby, or be prepared to nurse on the go. Consult these family-friendly camping recipes for some ideas as well.
