Bringing Baby (and kids) Camping

Yes, you CAN bring baby camping....Here's how!

New parents have one job...to keep their little ones safe and happy. Safe from ouchies, burns, scrapes, fevers, itches, bug bites, and hurt feelings. With the right preparation, gear, and of course, some sleep, babies not only enjoy the wonders of the outdoors, they can thrive in an environment with natural colors, sights, sounds, smells, and textures. We adults refer to it as nature therapy. According to mind.org.uk, Nature Therapy, or "Ecotherapy, is a formal type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature". The main purpose being to improve mental health. Slowing down and separating ones' self from the daily grind or the 9-5 has shown to have therapeutic effects on mood and self-esteem.  Checkout my blog on The Importance of Outdoor Education at an Early Age.

An obstacle some encounter is that camping in general may be a new concept or experience. Rewind to infancy and we can consider what benefits can come from pediatric development. Let's talk about how...

How many nights?

If it is your first time introducing your little one to mother nature, it is likely that you will begin with a short 1 or 2 nights. Check the weather and prepare for even the lowest of percentages (rain, temperature, wind, pollution). If you are unsure about what to wear, prepare for it all. The great thing about children's clothes is they are tiny so you can pack multiple outfits in case of a small spill, change in weather, or the likely "blowout" of a diaper. Keep routines of eating, naps, and story times, but be easy on yourself and baby. Be flexible. "In nature, do what feels natural".

Nutrition

Whether your little one is formula fed or nursing, nutrition is essential to bring with you and maintain its sanitation. Reusable food storage for bottles, finger snacks, and formula powder can help to decrease contamination of other foods or other environmental critters (bugs) and make it easy to access when your mini-explorer tells you it's time to eat. Putting these in their own bag can also help retrieve it without digging through sleeping bags and blankets to get to it. For older children, getting them involved in food preparation can be an extremely empowering experience...and spills or crumbs are much less noticeable on a bed of pine needles than a beige carpet or hardwood floor. Nursing children obviously have their food prepped and ready so proper nutrition and hydration should be considered for mom, as well as a comfortable place for both to relax and bond with baby in a safe space away from direct exposure to the elements or insects. It's important to have activities for other children, if you have siblings who may be wanting some of your attention as well, especially if you are outnumbered; children to adults.

Activities

Camping with a baby does not mean you have to stay in your tent all day. There are plenty of fun and stimulating activities you can do with your little one that will help them explore and enjoy nature. Going for a walk or hike on a trail that is suitable for your baby’s age and mobility. You can use a carrier, a stroller, or a backpack to carry your baby along. B.O.B. makes an all terrain stroller that has shock absorbers and pneumatic tires that can be changed out depending on the terrain you choose to most frequent. REI has a great review page of the best child carrier backpacks. I've owned two Osprey Poco Plus carriers hiking with each of our kids and would recommend its ease of use and comfort for both baby and grow-up. It fit me better than my Deuter Kid Comfort due to its ability to expand wider for my wide shoulders. 

Make sure you have sunscreen, hats, water, snacks, and diapers for the trip. I found that a 5.11 M.O.L.L.E. pack was a great option as a "hiking diaper bag" when I wasn't carrying baby on my back, due to its attachment points. Although I'm not a huge fan of being "tacti-cool", the set up I created was too convenient to pass up. I used the RUSH MOAB 18L Slingpack as my base and added other pieces as needed. 

Set up a play area near your campsite with a blanket, some toys, books, and natural objects like pine cones, rocks, leaves, and flowers. Let your baby touch, smell, and look at the different items and talk to them about what they are seeing and feeling. Consider allergies and have a basic understanding about the plants in your area to avoid any natural irritants. Sing songs, tell stories, or read books to your baby in the tent or by the fire. You can also use flashlights or lanterns to make shadows or shapes on the walls or ceiling of the tent. Play peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, or other games that involve hiding and finding objects or people. You can use your tent, sleeping bags, pillows, or trees as hiding places. Watch the stars, the moon, the clouds, or the wildlife with your baby. Point out the different shapes, colors, and sounds you see and hear. You can also use a telescope, binoculars, or a camera to get a closer look. 

Exposure

Depending on your destination and how long you will be camping humidity, temperature, precipitation, and wind should be considered during your planning stages. Each of these can be prepared for and enjoyed with the appropriate equipment. When in doubt, ask around at local outdoor shops, national park rangers, or even your trusted pediatrician can give some advice on how to keep baby comfortable in areas you will be visiting. Merino wool is breathable, dries quickly, does not hold odor, and insulates well. Layering is essential to help you and your baby to regulate body temperature. It's important to always stay hydrated. Reusable water bottles are a must when keeping your carbon footprint small. Checkout Klean Kanteen's stainless steel water bottles. Their single-walled bottles can be put near the fire to warm up your beverage on a chilly morning. A first aid kit is essential on all outings. Pediatric medication and basic wound care will make a big difference if any small mishaps happen. 

Equipment

Like "normal" camping it is important to know your equipment well before you take it into the wild. Practice setting up your tent in your living room. Figure out your sleeping, eating, and cooking arrangements before your trip when you can make changes easily with zero risk. Baby chairs, small children's camp chairs, and a pack n play style crib will enhance everyone's experience providing autonomy, comfort, and safety at the same time.

Travel Time

My general rule is 2 hours per night. For every 2 hours of driving, we will stay at least 1 night, and we try not to be traveling for over a combined 8 hours in a single day. Having this expectation in mind while planning trips keeps the surprises at bay and helps us to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. I use a combination of Google Maps and Maps.me for my navigation needs. Google Maps does well for city to city driving and through most US areas. Maps.me usually gets me closer to waterfalls and rivers when traveling internationally.

Packing it out

A behavior to start and maintain when you are outdoors is to practice the 7 principles of Leave no Trace. This ensures the spot you've occupied in nature is available for our little ones to enjoy years later. I connect a doggie 💩-bag to my backpack in case of a diaper change in the trail or if I want to keep sticky or wet garbage separate from my other items. It is also nice to put wet or soiled clothes in their own plastic bag as well. All of it comes home and should be placed in the bin to be disposed of. 

The most important part is to preserve your family's memories and create a balance of pictures and time to disconnect. Edit or delete later but you will want to look back on the time you immersed yourself in the wild as a family. Don't forget to follow Project Explore on instagram for inspiration or ideas! 

Let me know how your trip went in the comments below!