Car camping with a six-month-old?

July 16, 2009 8:39 AM

Any tips on car camping with a 6-month-old?

We're thinking of heading out this weekend from Portland, OR for baby's first camping trip.

Looking for any wisdom on making the whole experience run smoothly, especially since she's not the greatest sleeper. (For example, how do you put her down to sleep at 6 pm when it's light out until 9?)

posted by gottabefunky to sports, hobbies, & recreation (5 comments total)

We took our son camping for the first time a few months ago when he was 4 1/2 months old, I think it's easier the younger the kid is. We brought one of those padded changing pads for him to sleep on, we stuck it between our sleeping bags and dressed him in a bunch of layers then stuck him in a sleep sack. Now is totally the time to start, if your kid is anything like mine she will be eating bugs and licking rocks in a couple of months.
posted by foodgeek at 8:51 AM on July 16

It is still very buggy in the mountains in Oregon. I would make sure to slath on whatever is safe for a toddler, in that realm.

Sleep patterns will be compromised, in that the tent might be too hot still at 6pm.

Other than that, yeah, get her in the camping mode. She'll love it, through childhood.
posted by Danf at 9:26 AM on July 16

I camped a lot with our little one from about 6 months on and she loved it.
They love to run the flashlights.
Don't forget diapers (*that* was a long night)
We tend to not use sleeping bags, but rather brings sheets, put them on top of the pads then blanket on top so we are all sleeping together and staying warm.
if you are still breastfeeding bring something big and comfortable to make that easier. Sitting up in the tent is no rocking chair.
no bug repellent
posted by H. Roark at 9:50 AM on July 16

We camped with our baby (when she was 4 mos) and our strategy to have her fall asleep was to put her in her infant carseat in the tent to fall asleep, then later moved her to between us (like foodgeek, we had her in layers plus a sleepsack). The funny thing is that while we were totally fearless then, we chickened out once she started walking.
posted by superkim at 9:50 AM on July 16

We started camping with our daughter when she was an infant too, and still go regularly now that she's six. Starting early is a great thing - kudos to you.

For us at least, camping wasn't that different from life at home. She always slept with us, and breast fed until about 20 months old, so being in my sleeping bag or my bed was all the same to her. We never accumulated all that unnecessary baby gear that is so often suggested to new parents, so there wasn't that much to bring with us. My husband and I often wore her in a Maia Wrap or one of those front carrier things I've forgotten the name of, so she couldn't really complain when we did that while camping or hiking or snow-shoeing -- it was all the same to her.

Still, I don't recommend that you try to mimic life at home. One of the great joys of camping is getting out of the normal pattern of life, and taking a baby camping is a good way of preventing her from becoming attached to routines. Too much routine makes for an inflexible child, and that ruins summer camp and sleepovers if nothing else.

As a baby, our daughter slept easily. But as she grew older, we had to specifically wear her out to get her to sleep when we were camping. We'd make her play fetch or tag, or spend hours swimming, or something. Then she'd crash, and it didn't matter how light it was. For a little one, I guess I'd just not worry about putting her to bed at six, and just let things happen.

Also, we took our daughter camping in the winter, in Alaska, and that actually made things easier. To keep her warm, we bundled her in our coats or sleeping bags, and that swaddling kept her comfortable and happy. Warm breast milk added to that happiness. So don't stop camping just because it gets cold.

Don't worry about baby getting dirty. It's good for baby to get dirty, and good for you to not worry about it.

Sorry, just a bunch of random thoughts. I'd give more specific advice if I had any, but really, my advice boils down to just do it and have fun. It's especially not that big a deal when they're so little. Have a great time!
posted by Capri at 4:08 PM on July 16