Camping with a Baby!

TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 14:23

So as with all people I want to make the most of the Christmas break coming up and am hoping to get away for a week or two weeks with the family however we have a bub on the way who will be 6 months old come Christmas. Does anybody here have experience with camping and touring with a baby. I have all the gear; (cooking, fridge, batteries, airy tent that is instant setup, mattress etc).

Traditional when touring to multiple locations I have always gone with my mates and rolled out a swag and camping with the family has always been set up at a specific location for a week etc with not too much movement. This Christmas I am hoping to go with the family and do one to two weeks of just moving down the coast from Sydney to Adelaide, going from camp site to site - this will be in sites with good facilities like toilets, showers and bins as I don't think bush camping is viable with the amount of nappies that may be disposed of.

Firstly is this possible?
Secondly do any parents here have advice if they have done something similar?
Any tips for unforseen circumstances?

Ultimately it's our first child so we will be balancing the whole new parents thing with a trip as well so don't know what to expect.

Cheers

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • gaz3342 on 21/06/2018 - 14:31

    I would be so annoyed if I was camping and I could hear a baby crying.

    Most people go camping to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, a crying baby would ruin that.

    • ausdday on 21/06/2018 - 15:52
      +30

      Not as annoying as a few blokes shouting/howling, and pumping their music up after a few beers, in the middle of the night. Crying babies can be calmed, drunken blokes, well, let's just say I wouldn't try.

      • AustriaBargain on 23/06/2018 - 01:03
        -1

        I'd take the booze and music. Over a crying baby. One of the advantages of camping is there is no one for miles to be annoyed by your music and raucous behaviour. And no babies.

    • coin saver on 21/06/2018 - 15:58
      +8

      Why worry about baby noise when half the people that go camping nowadays run bloody generators. If you go camping with the baby please camp alongside the idiots that think they need a generator (paybacks a bitch)

      • ausdday on 21/06/2018 - 16:10
        +4

        I have seen people camping, with 400l+ fridge (I assume it's filled with beers and the meats for barbie), Portable air-conditional, 50+ inch TV with their satellite receivers. Why don't they just stay at home, if they can't live without those :)

        • kahn on 21/06/2018 - 18:11
          +1

          Temporary witness protection.

    • TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 16:11

      Most commercial sites I've been too usually have people on the turps getting really rowdy especially over busy periods. We have had a baby next to us once but this baby was at the age they couldn't quite walk, but they could sit upright and crawl so probably older than 6 months. The family seemed quite relaxed though. The only quite and peaceful sites I've been too are the ones that required a 4wd and a good bit of preparation and travel, otherwise most are packed and noisy.

      • coin saver on 21/06/2018 - 16:46

        The wife and I traveled for 9wks 19,000kms with a 13mth old baby moved camp every day bar 4 or 5. The baby was no problem at all. When setting/packing up we would hang her up in a jolly jumper to keep her out of harms way this was with a camper trailer.

    • ericb on 21/06/2018 - 18:13

      I have camped with babies and next to babies, children are noiser than babies and adults (whether drunk or not) are always super noisy, slamming doors, music, snoring, talking. I family with a baby is used to being quite, so actually, they are great to camp next too.

    • D6C1 on 23/06/2018 - 15:08

      Not annoyed. Should be concerned. Dingos about

  • altomic on 21/06/2018 - 14:32
    +27

    OPs next post -

    "A dingo's got my baby"

  • frankymatty on 21/06/2018 - 14:36
    +9

    We have a young son, and we're planning to do some camping over summer too, however if I were in your shoes - with first baby due imminently, see how you cope first! If all is good after the first few months, then start planning a camping trip with a baby, remember at 6 months old they're still likely nursing, (probably) crawling and may or may not cope with the temperatures of summer in a tent!

    • HighAndDry on 21/06/2018 - 15:16
      +3

      Please tell OP how often a newborn needs to be nursed/otherwise fed. It usually doesn't leave much time for other things… like sleeping.

    • afoveht on 21/06/2018 - 15:36
      +1

      I've seen plenty of small kids at camps. Just take a porta-cot so your kid can nap comfortably and you can use it as a play pen throughout the day too.

      • TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 16:06

        I unfortunately just donated an old one our family had lying around … bummer ! I'll have to look into what they cost.

        • afoveht on 21/06/2018 - 16:55
          +3

          I'm confused.

          Why would you have one if you don't have a baby and why would you give it away if you're expecting?

          Get it second hand + a good steam clean = best value.

    • TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 16:08
      +3

      see how you cope first!

      This seems to be the overwhelming response. We could have a dream baby and do all the trips I'm wanting, otherwise it might be a short term sacrifice until the kids a bit older.

  • GG57 on 21/06/2018 - 14:54
    +5

    You asked for opinions, so:

    • This does not sound like a holiday at all. All the work that goes with caring for a baby is so much harder if you are continually packing up, moving from site to site (around baby's feeds and other routines), unpacking, setting up the camp, trying to bathe a baby in the communal shower block, etc., etc.

    • As mentioned by gaz3342 above, you should consider how this will also impact on others in the campgrounds. Most people are reasonable, but I think you could wear out your welcome pretty quickly if your baby is crying.

    • For this holiday, I suggest staying with your family's routines, and doing short trips or different experiences where possible. You may have additional time to spend together, which can be the best memories you will have. If you were to save some costs by doing this, put that aside if you can for future holidays when your child can appreciate the adventures.

    • TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 16:01

      If you were to save some costs by doing this, put that aside if you can for future holidays when your child can appreciate the adventures.

      Well this pretty much hits the nail on the head. Cost is a major factor, doing an extended hotel trip isn't viable at this point, but it is also not realistic to camp based on responses so far.

      This does not sound like a holiday at all.

      I don't think my wife would feel like it is holidaying to be honest, but I'm used to the whole no facilities / remote / self sufficient camping thing. I think it might be a compromise - no tents, no hotels, possibly self sufficient cabins.

  • HighAndDry on 21/06/2018 - 15:15
    +7

    Wait - 6 months old baby come Christmas means you haven't had a taste of what it's like to have a newborn. I would, uh, not make any plans until you have first-hand experience of what that's like. Camping is fairly tiring. Getting only 2-3hrs of sporadic sleep a night is tiring. Add the two together and I'm not sure which would come first - you just walking off a cliff from exhaustion, or throwing your baby off that cliff.

    • TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 16:02

      you haven't had a taste of what it's like to have a newborn

      Correct, haven't had a kid yet. But also am also completely blank on what to expect.

    • cloudy on 21/06/2018 - 16:48

      High and dry is right. Every baby is also different. Went to lunch with a ex colleague who has a baby that sleeps 5 hrs at a time. She just sleeps whenever. Bub is 4 months old.

      My baby is 8 months, can not sleep. Will not sleep, we sleep with 1 hour intervals sometimes up to 3. Life is horrid even though we’re in the comfort of our own beds at home. During the day baby won’t sleep, I walked him for 20 mins in pram having him cry and then he slept for 15 mins in pram.

      So every baby is different, I wouldn’t make plans so far in advance until you know what kinda baby you have.

      • CMH on 22/06/2018 - 13:09
        +1

        So every baby is different, I wouldn’t make plans so far in advance until you know what kinda baby you have.

        Return as faulty and swap for a new one till you get one that fits your needs.

        • HighAndDry on 22/06/2018 - 13:39
          +1

          Considering how much you pay upfront for a baby, the consumer guarantee for one under the ACL is probably many years if not over a decade. Definitely have time to request repairs or a refund.

        • smpantsonfire on 23/06/2018 - 18:53

          @HighAndDry:

          Don't forget though you get upgraded every year.

  • Quantumcat on 21/06/2018 - 15:51
    +8

    Once you have the baby you're not going to want to camp. Life will be hard enough just at home with access to everything. By the time the baby is six months old you will be just beginning to catch up with sleep after having only 1-3 hours of uninterrupted sleep at a time earlier (you'll be getting maybe 3-5 hours instead).

    If you really want to spend the time with family, perhaps a compromise is to decide on the locations beforehand, and book a hotel room at each location.

    • TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 16:04

      I go quite regularly, and I guess to a degree this is an effort to maintain the hobby after the kid is born. I will be happy irrespective, but I also want to maintain the lifestyle as camping is like a reset for me. It might just be a short term sacrifice, but I will have to assess after the baby is born. It could just well be impossible.

      • Quantumcat on 21/06/2018 - 16:28
        +3

        Something to add is that all car trips take twice as long. The baby might sleep nicely for an hour or two but then will suddenly be inconsolable and you have to pull over quick smart. And if the baby needs feeding, well you just have to sit there for ten minutes to an hour while they eat. They won't hurry for you either. They might eat for a few minutes then come off and be distracted and seem like they're finished, but when you put them back in the car seat they get upset and decide they want to continue eating after all. You'll find it hard to have a nice conversation with your significant other on the drive because you'll find you need to stop less if one person sits in the back to play with and talk to the baby (they won't start screaming randomly). And sometimes a nappy change can't wait until you get to a rest stop with bins (leaking), so you have to drive along with smelly nappies in the car.

        I don't have any babies myself but both of my sisters do (one four months, one 8 months) so I have heard this all from them and experienced some of it.

        Just an idea, maybe have a weekend getaway when the bub is 3 or 4 months old and see how you like it. Maybe you guys will work out how to juggle things between you efficiently and it won't be much of a problem.

  • D3AB on 21/06/2018 - 15:55
    +2

    You can most definitely go camping with a 6 month old. We did it last year over Christmas. We had a camper trailer at a caravan park, so the park's amenities made it easier for us (bath). We did however mention it to the park when we booked our site, incase they wanted to put us in some far flung spot.

    Much to our surprise there where 2 types of groups there. Families will all ages. And the grey nomad types that were kicking back. We were conscious of the noise our bubs at first but to be honest there were others there much louder than us having a big night and a few other babies. Which was fine by us. We paid them back with a crying baby at 3am.

    If it's packed you will hear the neighbors anyway, I think it's probably more important to just go out of your way to introduce yourself and politely apologies in advance to those around you.

    Moving from camp to camp sucked, and the baby feeds really get in the way of getting places quickly. But if you just relax and take it easy everyone stays sane. It was our first time with the camper trailer, which didn't help to much. The missus really wanted to stay in the cabins, so we will do that next time for convenience.

  • ausdday on 21/06/2018 - 16:06
    +2

    Yes, definitely possible. Been there done that. However:
    1. my trip was just a long weekend getaway, rather than 2 weeks site hopping.
    2. My baby was around 9mo.

    Having to setup and dismantle campsites everyday, for 2 weeks, can be tiring and time comsuming. You would not have much time to enjoy. If you have a capable car, perhaps camper trailer/caravan will be more comfortable. Otherwise, a campervan / RV would do as well. If not, camp some days and hotel on other days. At least you would get a good rest in between.

    Try to make sure your tent is well ventilated. Normal small dome tent is designed to keep heat inside, for cool/cold weather camping. In the middle of summer, the tent can get really hot, and not suitable to keep the baby in there.

    Insecticides and first aid kit is a must, as babies/toddlers tends to fall and scratch themselves. The last thing you need is infection.

  • havebeerbelywillsumo on 21/06/2018 - 16:07
    +7

    DO NOT DO THIS………….and yes I meant to shout, not something I am normally into.

    A baby will destroy your normal routines when you're in a friendly environment (ie home)let alone when you have far fewer easy aides (taps, power, toilets, shower, family /familiar GP etc etc) on hand let alone in an overcrowded (everyone goes on hols at hol time) HOT (it's Dec/Jan and babies dehydrate/get sick quick) and uncaring environment.

    As a male parent of two - babies are a blessing but they can be hell, they want what they want NOW….trouble can be what the hell do they want, they're not gonna tell you, just demand at the top of their l'il lungs till you guess right.

    Outlined your post (not my opinion) to wife - reply - "no, no, no".

    With all respect to both of you…it is often the male that is into camping but here it's the female who'll be doing most of the "work", even if there are many hands available.

    It could well be fine…………but the odds are against it. You have no way to tell at the moment whether the babe will be "difficult" and no experience with a baby (the latter is not meant as a putdown).

    Note the other replies, both the "yes" and the "no" ones. There are a lot of sensible items in them.

    • TheBilly on 21/06/2018 - 16:22

      no experience with a baby (the latter is not meant as a putdown).

      Appreciating the input from everyone, that's the reason I'm posting as I am literally blank on what to expect and nobody I am close too with kids goes camping in general … I am probably treating the whole thing too lightly as my past trips have been quite loosely planned and prepared, we kind of just chuck everything in the Ute and go and just end up approximately where we planned. I think my too relaxed attitude might cause grief with my wife and kid, hence trying to figure if the whole thing is realistic.

    • Euphemistic on 26/06/2018 - 08:24

      DO NOT DO THIS………….and yes I meant to shout, not something I am normally into.

      Whoa. someone needs a chill pill.

      Hundreds, probably thousands of people enjoy camping with a baby, sure it'll be a different experience to camping without one, but it's still enjoyable if you enjoy camping in the great outdoors. We took our little ones camping quite a few times. I've even been to a men's camp weekend (no ladies) where one of the guys brought his 9month old son and had a great time. Everyone pitched in to help him out. It is more difficult solo when you need to toilet etc and need someone to look after bub, but if you have a partner with you it's easier to tag team.

  • matt3 on 21/06/2018 - 16:41
    +1

    Can you get in one or two overnighters in the leadup before the big trip?

    I get the impression that your partner may not be an experienced camper so it would be good if she is able to get her head around the experience too. Not when she's 8-9 months pregnant though of course.

    It's imperative that your partner has a good experience otherwise you may never go camping again with your family, and that would be sad.

    Best of luck, and PM me if you get to The Grampians where I live - I can tell you the choicest camp areas.

  • TimboAus1234 on 21/06/2018 - 16:57
    +2

    I've got three kids twins 4 and a girl 6 months I would say go for it, not for a week or two tho would be a bit hard especially if your bottle feeding.

    also think of the heat, flies and mossies around, a Day or two max would be nice then stay in a hotel or chill out at home for the rest! some problems i could think of the top of my head for example, where is the baby going to sleep? portable cot? their not the most comfortable things around and the baby may wake more than usual.

  • bobbified on 21/06/2018 - 17:20
    +1

    Your baby might end up with a little brother or sister after this trip!

    Every baby is different - some constantly cry and some don't - you know your baby best, so you should be making the go or not decision based on that.

  • Halo375 on 21/06/2018 - 19:04
    +1

    My baby is 7 months and there’s no way in hell I’d be taking her camping yet. Wait and see how your baby is sleeping and feeding and make a call closer to the date. You’ll want to be regulating the babies temperature and outside in summer? Probably not a good idea.

  • Me88 on 21/06/2018 - 22:16
    +1

    We took our baby camping in January when he was 6 months - it was great! Admittedly we were in a caravan annex for sleeping (just the annex, not the whole van) but the rest was like regular outdoor camping, we had a big outdoor rug under the gazebo thing that he spent most of his days on, took him to the beach, swimming in the lake etc. We were with friends with a 9 month old too, no problems for them either. Being outside all day made him sleepy, so he slept really well at night!

    This was only three nights though - 2 weeks might really be pushing it. We had access to a microwave for warming bottles but he only had one before dinner, other than that I breastfed which is very convenient, if you formula feed warming bottles overnight might be a pain (You could try to train him/her to drink room temp formula if that's the case) And because it was a quick trip, he just ate packet/jar baby food that didn't require any heating or prep.

    Like others said, it will depend on the temperament of your baby, but quite a few families I know have camped with 4 months+ babies without too much drama.

    Some people said it wont be a holiday - well, nothing will be a holiday with a small child, and being stuck at home can get very monotonous, so I say go for it!

    Perhaps for the first time though, shorten the trip, or budget for a few nights in hotels in case of super hot weather, or excessive sleep deprivation :)

  • Showmethebargains on 22/06/2018 - 08:44
    +1

    We toured Tassie for a month with a 9 month old baby and a toddler in a tent. It is certainly doable. You just need to be very organised. It is actually easier with a young baby, before they become mobile.

  • TransportPosters on 22/06/2018 - 09:01
    +1

    It's doable, we went with a slightly older baby. The only things we had to worry about were:

    • Lack of sleep as baby was not used to the new surroundings.
    • Keeping baby really warm.
    • Bringing toys (and a few new ones) to keep baby occupied.
    • Bringing lots of clothes due to eating mess and nappies.
    • Bringing plastic bags to put used nappies in.
    • Bringing a thermo of boiled water for baby to drink.
    • Putting down a tarp (and keeping it reasonably clean) for baby to go on.
    • Looking out for ants crawling around.

    And more.

    There were plenty of kids and a few other babies crying from time to time. As others have said, you'll hear others playing loud music (usually old '80s hits, so not so bad!), running generators, laughing and yelling, hooning around in their 4x4s and kids watching movies on their pads at night.

  • singlemalt72 on 22/06/2018 - 09:25
    +1

    Just throw in the usual baby stuff and a porta-cot

    Easy as.

  • Euphemistic on 22/06/2018 - 19:44
    +1

    Plenty of people do it. You’ll need to take more stuff than previously to cater for the little one. Best thing about a 6month old is that you dpshoudlnt need to take much food if mummy is still providing!

    It will change your camping activities, but having a child changes lots of things you do.

  • AncientWisdom on 23/06/2018 - 03:09
    +1

    Yep totally doable (generally, for most babies I know), especially if you're a seasoned camper. I'd heed the advice above and take into consideration your wife's camping experience - the less she has, the less ambitious your plan can be. And I definitely wouldn't be moving every day, but hopping every few days should be doable/enjoyable. If you are set on the two week period, make the plan but be ready to change direction and go home at any point.

    I generally think that you should live your life post baby as close to as it was before as possible - it makes for much healthier/happier parents! It is also very hard to do… So be ready :-)

    I completely disagree about camping not being a holiday, in fact with kids I think it's one of the best possible things you can do! And like anything, practice makes perfect. Just don't over do it from the start, take reasonable steps and you'll end up with kids that are great to take camping!

  • DBBROS on 23/06/2018 - 04:46
    +1

    If you are planning to camp in a rural area make sure that you have access to a hospital nearby and be prepared to travel. The MPS's transfer patients in an emergency to the next base hospital due to the limited resources.

  • smuggler on 23/06/2018 - 14:03
    -1

    Book a hotel getaway.

  • pav on 23/06/2018 - 14:40
    +1

    You don't have holidays with young kids. You're just looking after them somewhere else.

  • elgrande on 23/06/2018 - 15:30

    Would love to read OP's response to this post after a few months of having a bub

  • HeWhoKnows on 23/06/2018 - 17:51
    -1

    Definitely not a good idea. Not during the super crowded christmas break anyway.
    If not for you, think about all the noise of a crying baby caused to the other campers seeking a nice quiet relaxing holiday.
    They did not go there to listen to your baby.

    Better you spend quality time with your parents or the inlaws.
    They will appreciate your baby!

    Leave the camping trip to next year.
    It will be much more enjoyable for everyone

    • Euphemistic on 26/06/2018 - 08:30

      Family camping at Christmas time is often at a busy caravan park. Not a nice quiet relaxing holiday! There will be dozens of kids around making all sorts of noise. You said it yourself, it's super busy. Having family support makes looking after a baby much easier.

      Sure, you need to assess your new bub a bit before committing, but unless you have one that screams all night every night it will probably be fine. I've done busy easter camping near every year since my first was about 11months old (in highs chool now) and camped in a group where we've all have more kids each year. Sometimes we've had a few restless nights, but more commonly it has been because of snoring than baby crying.

  • lenny on 24/06/2018 - 22:27
    +1

    Go for it. Setup/pack down might be slower if one of you has to look after the baby. Unless you've got a very quick camp setup, I'd look to stay in the one spot for a few days before moving on. I've got 3 kids and have camped with them from all ages. It's never been a problem.

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