Having a new baby in the family doesn’t mean you have to give up those annual camping trips. In fact, camping with a baby before they hit the toddler phase may be easier than you think.
If the baby is breastfeeding, you won’t have to worry about packing food. For bottle-fed babies, most formulas are available packaged in single serving liquids or pre-measured powder packets that make travel easy. You can rinse your bottles and boil them in a pot on the campfire to make sure they are sterile each day.
Older babies can eat what you eat. Scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and the stroller staple, Cheerios, are all easy to pack and prepare for the whole group.
Make sure to use only sterilized or filtered water for drinking and even washing junior’s hands and face. Waterborne parasites are common in the wild and a young immune system cannot fight them as well as a mature one. You don’t want your child’s trip to be fraught with gastrointestinal issues caused by contaminated water.
Speaking of intestines and what comes out of them, babies are not shy about pooping whenever and wherever they please. Disposable diapers will add weight to your pack, but will make your life easier in the long run. Having to rinse and dry cloth diapers will be a challenge at a remote campsite. Bring a large, waterproof dry bag to store soiled diapers, and then dispose of them properly when you get home.
Sleeping is easy enough when taking baby camping. Co-sleeping in two sleeping bags zipped together or bringing along a portable crib will give your little one a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Start small with an overnight or weekend trip. Camping with a baby can be a challenge, but will be well worth the effort as they grow up in awe of nature!
Images via ccreitz, eccentriccx
