Yes, camping with a baby is actually a very real possibility, as long as you keep your expectations realistic and do a bit of proper planning. By following these five tips, you can enjoy a wonderful time under the stars with baby in your arms.
Start with “baby” steps. In other words, two weeks at Yosemite is probably not the best way to test your baby’s camping mettle. To find out how well your baby adjusts to a camping situation, just schedule a night or two at a nearby campground – one that is close enough to pack up and drive home in the middle of the night if necessary.
Pack for the worst. Expect that the weather will be worse than you ever thought possible, and the baby will get dirtier than you can imagine – then pack accordingly. Your packing list should include a sunhat for the baby and buy repellent. While it is not suggested to put insect repellant on an infant less than six months of age, a piece of mosquito netting can provide protection from insects while the baby is in her crib or stroller.
Scrub-a-dub baby. Make sure you pack supplies in a large plastic tub, and then just empty it out to create an instant bathtub at bath time. Of course, you will also want to pack plenty of baby wipes and hand sanitizer to keep you and the campsite clean.
Make mealtimes easy. If you’re still fortunate enough to be breast-feeding, mealtimes won’t require much preparation at all. But if you’re bottle-feeding, you might want to stick to bottle liners instead of bottles for your trip. Then you can use the camp stove to boil the nipples – much easier than trying to sanitize the entire bottle.
While you might prefer to cook your baby’s food at home, jars of store-bought baby food can be a lifesaver when you need a quick and sterile meal. Pack plenty even if you think you won’t use them. You can always donate leftovers to your local food pantry.
Think safety first. You probably already have a family first aid kit, but you may need to add a baby thermometer and baby fever reducer. If you aren’t comfortable putting anti-itch cream on your baby’s skin, a drop of aloe can help soothe bug bites.
By planning ahead, you can keep your baby dry, well fed and happy under the stars. And if Plan A doesn’t work out, you can always resort to Plan B at the local Holiday Inn.
Kwik Cabana Sun Stopper.
