As much as I love camping, I was a little apprehensive about taking our 5 month old for the first time. In reality, our first trip was fantastic. Our intrepid little boy took it all in his stride and it was no harder looking after him in a tent than it is at home. I’m by no means an expert, but I did find a few little tricks that helped to make the experience a little easier. So here are a few tips I’ve picked up, I’m sure there’ll be more as time goes on, but this is a good place to start!
- Disposable bed mats. I took these along to cover the travel cot, but they were also very handy for changing nappies on the tent floor (especially the extraordinary poonami that greeted us on the first day)
- If you are breastfeeding and haven’t already mastered the art of feeding while lying down, you really should! I put the pop-up travel cot next to me and simply slid baby over in the night when he wanted a feed (the disposable covers helped with the sliding, see above)
- If, like us, space is at a premium in the car, leave the jumperoo at home! For entertainment we simply took a playmat and put it on the floor of our tent. It also doubled as a changing mat.
- Tupperware boxes are great for storage, also double as top and tail bowl, or a container for sterilising feeding equipment. I also used my plastic kitchen storage box as a bath. No need to take extra bowls etc
- Layers are good for warmth, also handy as they can be discarded when the tent heats up in the morning. Fleece sleepsuits (I got mine quite cheaply from ASDA) and blankets are great for cooler nights. I bought a size up so could layer up underneath if the weather took a turn for the worse.
- Tents can get hot during the day, we put our pushchair in the shade and used that for naps. Also, with the sunshade on it was darker than the tent.
- Get everything ready before you go to bed (or you’ll end up groping around in the dark for a cloth and end up using your best t-shirt to mop up sick)
- Wet wipes! However many you use at home, double (or even treble) that. The same applies to muslin cloths, kitchen towel, antibacterial wipes, toilet roll…
Categories: Camping Tips
The Helpful Hiker 
Great tips! I am not a camping fan, but force myself to for a festival! Thanks for linking up to #TheLIst x
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Good tips! We’ve talked about taking our 2 year old camping. Will keep these in mind! 🙂
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I definitely recommend it! It’s lots of fun, I’m looking forward to when our baby is a bit bigger and can really get involved with the whole experience.
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Great tips! The disposable bed mats are a fab idea. We have been on many campervan holidays with our boys and a few weeks ago we took both of them camping for baby Harry’s first time. I was also apprehensive but as you experienced we had a lovely wkd.
I would also add taking a highchair or bumbo seat (if restricted by space) when baby is mobile and not happy to lay on mat in tent!
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That’s a good idea. I’m well aware that as soon as the baby can move then it’s a whole different ball game! I will have to update that post next year when we’re camping with a toddler. Glad you enjoyed your experience, I really do think that camping is the perfect family holiday 🙂
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You’re very brave! I’d be worried about waking up fellow campers during the night – I don’t think we’ll try camping until Little B is at least a year! #whatevertheweather
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I was worried about disturbing other campers but luckily we weren’t too close to anyone else. Also, baby is a very laid back character which helps!
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Great tips! When we went to camping before, we didn’t have kids yet.. we are planning to go back camping again soon now that the kids are a bit bigger… You all seemed having fun especially the little camper! #whatevertheweather
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We all had a great time, I heartily recommend getting back out there. The baby absolutely loves it, he has more freedom when we’re camping-and the fresh air wears him out!
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Well done for biting the bullet and doing it! Scary but makes you feel human again doesn’t it? Great tips, I’m sure others will be inspired to go with their little ones after reading! #whatevertheweather
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Thanks! Hopefully people will give it a go, it was a great experience and felt amazing to be living again ( especially after months of sleep deprivation and the general anxiety of being a new mum!)
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It’s so true about the wet wipes! We also get through a lot of kitchen towel when we are caravanning with Tin Box Baby. We use a flexi bucket as a washing basket and baby bath. Anything to save space! I also love our Milton bucket – it’s so convenient for sterilising the one bottle that Baby has each day #whatevertheweather
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Great tips, I can see that space is going to be at a premium as baby grows!
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Well done for taking your littlie camping with you! I wasn’t brave enough when mine were that age, but now wonder if it would be easier getting them started earlier! Looks like you had lots of fun and kept nice and warm.
Lying down breastfeeding is a godsend, so much easier!
Thanks for linking up to #whatevertheweather 🙂 x
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Our general idea was just to carry on as normally as possible and Baby would soon get used to everything. So far so good, although the test will be when he can move-that’s a whole new world!
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Ohh I’m going camping for the first time with my little family soon so I’m definitely bookmarking this for when we do. Thank you so much for sharing these great tips and thank you so much for linking this up to #whatevertheweather x
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Thanks, hope you enjoy camping, hopefully the weather will be better than it is today! #whatevertheweather
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I always dreaded the fact of going camping with my 6 month old daughter. But with your great tips I don’t feel so scared anymore. Thank you!
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It’s really not that bad! We have so much fun camping. It’s a great holiday, very little cleaning up and loads of space. I recommend it to everyone 🙂
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