Camping with a 9 month old? Advice?

Question

My husband and I love to camp. We have a 9 month old son and are taking him with over the 4th of July. This will be his first camping trip. We have a small camper. Any advice/suggestions for keeping him happy/cool/entertained...Any good tips for camping with a baby?

I know lots of people who have taken their babies camping since birth. I maybe should have mentioned we live in the midwest and we are going to a lake to camp. Not taking him isn't an option as we want him to start camping so he enjoys it as he gets older.

OK! I WILL REPEAT MYSELF!! We ARE taking him with us...so if your advice is to not take him with us then don't bother answering. Read the question...I want advice on TAKING HIM WITH! Geesh!

Answer 1

These people are crazy telling you that he will not enjoy it or that you shouldn't take him. I live in the midwest and have always went to the lake. We have never not went because of "the baby" i would just suggest sunblock, bottled water, bug spray for babies. You might want to take childrens tylenol or motrin just in case he gets a fever or whatever. If you all plan on swimming with him or boating of course you WILL need a life jacket. You might take a pack and play (play pin) for him do he doesn't have to sit on the grass and you can then you don't have to worry about where he is at when you are making bottles,lunch,dinner etc. It may be learning experience but you ALL will have fun.

Answer 2

My good advice to you would be...Don't take him camping until he's older. Seriously. I'm not trying to be smart. Even though you have a small camper that might be air conditioned, I don't care where you live, July is a very hot month. There's only so much you can do with a baby when you go camping, and you don't want a hot, cranky, fussy, teething (if he is teething!) baby on your hands. Would definitely put a damper on your weekend.

My husband and I also love to camp (although we rough it and sleep in a tent :)) and we just leave our kids with my mom for a long weekend.

I know you said you want him to get used to it, but maybe waiting until he's a little older (toddler) and can walk and chase bugs would be a better idea. We live in GA now and haven't been camping since we moved here several months ago, but we used to go to Canada, and oh was it beautiful! I'm sure all campgrounds are different, but the one we used to go to all the time was in the middle of nowhere (no hospital for miles), had gravel roads (probably a nightmare if you tried to push a stroller along one) and was, like many other campgrounds, full of mosquitos, bugs, ticks, spiders, etc. I assume since he's only 9 months, he probably can't walk yet, so where are you going to let him crawl...on the gravel or dirt, or by the campfire? Maybe on the beach so he can eat some sand? :) Really, i'd wait if I were you.

Answer 3

A playpen is helpful so he can play and not be in the dirt and bugs.

Bring a portable high chair (like the kind that folds up and sits on a regular chair) so he can sit with you all, and eat in a clean environment.

Make sure you can provide lots of shade, as babies burn easily and don't regulate temperature well.

Make sure he drinks a lot, water is good but you can give him juice too.

Bug sprays are not usually good for babies. Read the label or ask your doctor. You may be able to get something herbal but keep in mind it will likely end up in his mouth.

Bring a shade hat for baby, and a lifevest that fits. We used to let the babies swim in the lake with us with their vests on. They loved it.

Stay sober. Too dangerous a place for both parents to not have full awareness.

You might enjoy a backpack, or better yet, one of those backpacks that converts into a light stroller.

Camping with baby is tons of work and will be until he hits preschool age.

Bring lots of clothes you expect to get very dirty. If you don't want to wreck what he has, go to goodwill and buy stuff you don't care about. Shoes too. Some waterproof sandals are nice.

Carry a first aid kit that includes a thermometer, baby tylenol or motrin, and a good decongestant. Also bring Benydril (which can be a life saver if someone gets bit by something they are allergic to or in case of poison ivy). Ipecac in case he eats something bad.

I remember being out boating one day when a friend's child got sick, the tylenol was a big help.

Answer 4

Camping is wonderful for a child! It is a great idea to acclimate your baby to the outdoors. Often, when children are exposed to fun and interesting things outdoors from an early age, they grow up to be healthier and enjoy exercise and fresh air more than children who were brought up without those experiences. So you get a big "Way to Go!"

In terms of safety, I would recommend bringing bug spray that won't hurt baby's sensitive skin, such as Skin-So-Soft made by Avon. It has a pleasant scent, does a good job of repelling insects, and won't cause a nasty rash. Also, you'll need lots of sunscreen for baby and weather appropriate clothes. Pack clothes for all contingencies (rain or shine, or even the freak cold spell). If you're near a lake, as you said, it wouldn't hurt to bring him a swimsuit as well. Also, you'll want to bring a Play Pen (Pack and Play) to keep him safe and away from the fire while you're otherwise occupied. Since you're in a camper, it would be a great idea to bring a portable fan or two as well to make sure he doesn't overheat.

As for entertainment, let nature guide the way. Use a baby sling and take him hiking. Go swimming with him. Sit and watch the fire with him while he's getting ready to doze off. Let him play with a lightning bug or two, just don't let him eat them. Ick.

Of course you'll need to pack any favorite and easily transported toys and books to keep him occupied when nature's appeal wears off a little, but don't bother bringing anything that doesn't easily fit in the car.

All in all, it sounds like you'll have a great time, and Good Luck!

Answer 5

Yes I have taken babies camping a few times. I suggest get an electrical site so you can hook up air conditioning to the camper and also take a small portable play pen if you can, it will make your camping trip so much more enjoyable and the baby can play in the pen without getting hurt.

Answer 6

Well, the best advice I can give you is don't do it. There is nothing about camping that appeals to a nine month old boy, and it's going to be a major chore to keep him safe. If your nine month old is crawling, or starting to walk, you are really going to have problems containing him. I'd certainly take a play pen that could be set up out of doors, so he doesn't spend the weekend eating pine needles, grubs and other good stuff that he'll find. You might want to take a small wading pool -- if you're at a campsite where there is lots of running water, you can put a couple of inches (no more!) in the pool and let it sit in the sun to warm up before you put him in it, and give him some little toy boats to play with. Just make sure you are beside that pool at all times, as babies can drown in a couple of inches of water. If you're at a camping area near a lake or a river, you're going to have to be double vigilant.
If you and your husband are hoping to re-create the camping ambiance you enjoyed before he was born, forget about it. It won't happen. Kids don't really start to enjoy camping until they are four or five years old. At that time, they can learn a bit about the outdoors and have fun being junior campers. Until then, it's a lot of work for you and your husband, and not much fun for a baby who would rather be in familiar surroundings.

Answer 7

I think it's great you're taking your little guy camping. I see NOTHING wrong with it. I would take everything you use everyday and then some. Plenty of sunblock and bug repellent. Don't forget the infant tylenol, etc. Plenty of water and sippy cups to keep him hydrated. I have a Jeep pack n play all-terrain wheels in hopes of camping with my 9 month old this summer. Make sure there is plenty of shade. Don't forget his bathing suit and an infant innertube for playing in the lake. He will have a blast. My little family lives by the beach and my daughter LOVES the water, we take her pack n play to the beach and it's great! I truly think the more experiences the better. Just make sure he's safe which I'm sure you will.

Answer 8

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with it! Babies love the outdoors. I have taken my daughter camping since she was just a few months old. Just take extra of everything. Play pen is a must! Plenty of sunscreen and water. My daughter stays very entertained when we take her kiddy pool and lots of toys. Just enjoy it now, because when they start walking/running, it is very tiring. I also would take a monitor so you can listen to him when you put him to bed in the camper and you and your hubby can relax around the campfire. Have fun!

Answer 9

We've taken our kids camping when they were babies and it's not much different than any other time about making them happy/cool/entertained. Be sure to take warm clothes, hat and maybe a portable crib during the daytime.

Answer 10

camping with baby is fun. make it fun. go prepared and do everything with him. get one of those baby backpacks and take him for walks since a stroller won't be too fun while you are ruffing it! take extra everything. lots of water for him, and shading apparel, hats and umbrella. we have the baby hat that has a tie on it so she can't pull it off when we are looking. since you will be a the lake, swim lots to keep him cool. get a floaty and don't forget sunblock. we have been taking our daughter since she was 5 months and she loves it! if he is crawling a lot i suggest some sort of blanket for him to play on that is big enough that he can move around! have a great time! good luck!