Camping with Infants

As my mother used to say: infants are not made of sugar and will not melt. Although they are very vulnerable, for thousands of years they had to survive in less than ideal conditions and thrive in the wilderness. In general babies are very resilient and can go anywhere their parents go. Like all kids they love to be outside.

You don’t have to bring the whole house with you t o make babies  comfortable. You can carry them around in a front carrier or if they can hold their head up a back carrier is even better. Now they go on hikes and observe the world from the safety of their parents’ backs.

Bring plenty of clothes for different kinds of weather, some toys, enough diapers and wipes. Babies can get very dirty when allowed to play freely on the ground. You may choose to keep them in a playpen or you may allow them to play in clean sand if you don’t mind the clean up.

Breast-fed infants are set for safe food if the mom is around. Boil all the water for formula and cereal. Bring enough jarred baby food to last the whole trip. If you go hiking you will have to bring all the heavy baby stuff with you, and also bring it back to camp, including dirty diapers and empty food jars.

Camping on the beach may require some shelter from the sun. Remember that babies need sunscreen and bug repellent just like the rest of us, but special care should be taken when choosing the right product. Pros and cons for commercial products should be considered. DEET should not be used on infants.

There are special beach tent-shelters available, where babies and kids can hide from sun and wind, but a good playpen with a cover may serve this purpose just as well.

Parents often worry about sleeping arrangements on a camping trip with a baby. I can say from experience that kids sleep well or even better when camping than at home. All the fresh air and outdoor activities tire them out easily. Afternoon naps are safe in the tent with mesh windows open, or even outdoors in the shade on a sleeping pad, if the bugs are not a problem.

Night time sleep can be accomplished in a playpen or between parents in their zip-together sleeping bags. In colder moths babies may have their own sleeping bag or a snugly bag. My son Mark was practically raised in such a snugly bag, even at home. He was used to the idea of going into the bag at bed time. He loved it and so did we, as he could not kick off his covers. Those bags work just as regular sleeping bags except that they have openings for arms, so they can be worn like a piece of clothing.

Infants, babies and kids love camping and being outside. Think about them as a part of nature. Usually they have not lost their natural instincts yet and are not afraid of bugs and water.  Therefore they have to be supervised at all times and never left alone.

Also, parents have to be prepared for any case of illness. Babies do not get sick often, but when they do it can be serious. Have a plan ready and know where to seek medical attention if necessary.

The most important thing is not to be afraid of taking your baby camping. I see families with babies at our campground everyday. And they look very happy and healthy.