Camping is a great way for families to spend time together outdoors, free of screens and distractions. It’s cheap and fun but can be a bit difficult to get started, if you don’t have the gear and are a bit worried about the logistics of it all.
Hey, don’t worry. I made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. Here are my tried and tested tips for what to bring and what to expect on your first camping trip with your baby.
If you are just looking for a list to ensure you don’t forget anything (this is ESSENTIAL for a camping trip) you can find my ultimate camping with a baby checklist right here.
Happy camping!
Start simple
Pick a spot near home and stay two nights to begin with. Even in the summer in the San Francisco Bay Area where we live, we have been able to find weekend availability in a local state park. If there is no potable water, make sure to bring plenty!
Get some sleep
My big concerns on our first trip with our one-year-old were: maintaining some kind of routine; him crying at night and disturbing other campers; and safe sleeping.
Well, routine went out the window.
I attempted to get him down at his normal bedtime and creep out to join the adults but ninja moves are a no-go in a tent. In the end, we all went to bed at the same time when it was dark enough. We got an early night and he got a late one, but we all got some sleep.
As for noise, he was delighted to be co-sleeping with me and didn’t make a sound all night. If your baby is not as keen on cozying up as mine was, you could bring a small travel crib.
If you don’t already have one, look for something light, easy to carry, easy to assemble and with mesh all around the sides like this Lotus crib. The side unzips so you don’t need to lift up your baby in the middle of the night for feeding.
As long as you can provide a sleeping environment they are used to, they will eventually drop off. Probably.
Safe sleeping with a baby means a firm sleeping surface and bedding that cannot restrict their breathing.
Ideally, get your baby an infant sleep sack from Baby DeeDee, either the indoor or outdoor quilted version, depending on how cold it will be at night.
Your baby will also need a safe sleeping surface. An air mattress is not recommended for infants under 18 months as it is too soft, so opt for a self-inflating or foam pad, unless you intend to use a travel crib.
Your baby needs a sleeping pad not for comfort but for warmth. Without the insulation of a pad, the cold ground will suck all the warmth from his or her body, making for a miserable night!
This Therm-a-Rest pad is foam, so cheaper than a self-inflating mat but can be folded in half to double the insulation. Perfect for a baby.
If you don’t already have a tent, we are happy with our Coleman 60 second cabin tent. It’s a great size, sturdy, plus it goes up and packs away quickly. I recommend getting a tent slightly bigger than the number suggests – for example, the six-person tent is the perfect size for our family of four.
Getting around camp
On our first trip, I didn’t really think about what I would do with the baby while sorting out the tent and cooking. Fortunately there were other adults to help!
If you are not bringing an extra set of hands, getting a little travel chair where they can eat and stay put while you are sorting the tent out is a good idea. This Summer Infant travel highchair is ideal for the job.
A good sling is also essential – test it out around the house before you go to make sure both you and your baby are comfortable.
Bring a picnic blanket for a clean area your baby can lie on and some of their favorite toys so they have something familiar to play with.
Eating
Take a thermos so you can boil water first thing in the morning and store it for bottles during the day, if you are bottle feeding. As for cleaning the bottles, OXO has a great portable bottle brush that would be perfect for camping (or traveling generally).
There are plenty of online recipes for how to whip up a restaurant-standard meal with just a pan and a campfire. Make it easy on yourself: bring a pre-cooked meal like a chili and just heat it up. I promise it isn’t cheating. You can still cook the s’mores on the campfire.
A good, solid camping stove, like this one from Everest is an excellent investment. The high BTU number means you can heat up water or food faster and the high sides make it wind-proof.
Bugs
Babies need protecting from the sun and bugs. A zinc-based or child-formulated sunscreen is a good choice as children’s skin can be sensitive to some ingredients. Long sleeves, a hat and staying in the shade wherever possible are the best strategies for the whole family.
Mosquitoes can be a problem when camping, especially if you are camping in a forest. A campfire can help – I am never bothered by bugs sitting next to a fire and I get bothered a lot.
If you want to use an insect repellant, I would recommend something with DEET. There are alternatives available but DEET has been around for a long time and has proven effectiveness.
According to the American Association of Pediatricians, a concentration of 10-30% is safe for children aged two months and older, once a day. If you use a spray, apply it to your hands, then rub it on their exposed skin, rather than spraying them directly. This avoids accidentally getting it into their eyes or mouth.
Off has a family DEET-based bug repellant, which at 15% concentration does a good job of protecting everyone.
Products containing Lemon Eucalyptus or picaridin are recommended as the next best thing to DEET, if you are not keen. However oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is NOT recommended for children under three years old as it can cause skin reactions.
Picaridin has not been around for as long as DEET, only ten years or so, but is considered to be just as effective. At a 20% concentration, it is safe for babies aged two months and over.
I know there are extra things to think about when babies are outside – such as protecting them from the cold, the sun and bugs – but I think it is worth the effort. Babies love being outside and being with their parents, so a camping trip is actually the perfect first getaway for a family.
Camping with a baby checklist
