Camping with a Baby; Your Ultimate Guide!
Did you and your partner camp before kids? Or maybe you started camping with your older kids and now you have a new addition? I promise you don’t have to put off getting back into the great outdoors until baby is older! With these tips you can continue to create amazing memories at the campsite with your baby (of any age!).
With my first his first camping trip was when he was 9 months old, he’s now four and has MANY camping trips under his belt. For my daughter’s first trip she was 6 weeks old. Her and I were actually planning to stay home initially because I thought she was too young and it would be too hard but I wound up with a case of FOMO and didn’t want to be left behind and honestly, I’m so glad we went!
I’ve now camped with my babies at several different ages in several seasons so I have lots of tips for dealing with the cold, the heat, the bugs and everything in between. I’m so excited to share them with you!
In this guide I’ll share my tips for:
• Bug Protection
• Sleeping Arrangements
• Feeding at the Campsite
• Keeping Baby Warm
• Staying Cool
• Campsite Saftey
• Products that made life easier
Bug control
My favourite season to camp is actually the fall. Yes there’s often the cold to contend with (sometimes nights below freezing when we like to camp!) but for me that’s easier to deal with and more enjoyable than the bugs! If you’re summertime camping though, mosquitoes, black flies, deer flies and more may be buzzing around your campsite and while a few bites aren’t dangerous for your baby, it’s definitely a sad sight to see and better to avoid it if you can!
Bug sprays especially those containing DEET are a no go on babies under two months, and should be used so sparingly on children anyways. Personally I try to avoid them whenever possible so the following is some things I use instead!
This bug net is the real MVP! I’ve used it over a car seat, stroller, pack n play, and even put it over the top half of my body while baby wearing on the trails. It might look silly but it definitely worked!
There’s nothing worse than the constant barrage of bugs biting your face, or seeing your kiddo with bites all around their hairline. The mesh bug hats may look silly but they are great for keeping the bugs off older kids and yourself!
🇨🇦: Bug Net Hat
🇺🇸: Bug Net Hat
This bug zapper was something new we tried this year, it definitely zapped some bugs however, make sure you hang it away from where you are spending time or it will be attracting bugs to you! I also didn’t use this after dark as I didn’t want to hurt beneficial bugs like moths.
🇨🇦:Bug Zapper
🇺🇸:Bug Zapper
We absolutely love our thermacells and now have quite the collection. Our first ever June camping trip with our son the black flies were unbearable so we made the hour long drive into town in an attempt to salvage the trip and impulse bought three different thermacells. But it was absolutely worth it! I’m not comfortable using them around really little babies as they are aerosolized bug spray still, and should always be used in a well ventilated area anyways but they are a must have on our list for every camping trip. The portable is awesome on hikes or on the water and the others are great for around the campsite.
🇨🇦: Thermacell, Portable Thermacel, Rechargeable Thermacel, Refills, Refills (Rechargeable)
🇺🇸:Thermacell, Portable Thermacell, Rechargeable Thermacell, Refills, Refills (Rechargeable)
Having a place to sit down and hang out (and for the kids to play) without worrying about bugs is another must have! We are going on our third season with this screened tent and it works great (as long as I can make sure my son keeps the zipper closed!) it’s also super easy to set up and take down which is great for one of us to do it while the other has the baby!
🇨🇦: Screened Tent
Sleep
A portable play yard is such a versatile piece of gear for camping! Whether it’s a space for an older baby to play outside with a bug net over top, or an actual safe sleep space. This one in particular is super handy as the bassinet that comes with it is stand alone, not just an attachment! We brought just the bassinet along for my daughter’s first trip and she slept just as well as she does at home!
I struggle with post partum anxiety and use this at home as well but it absolutely gave me a lot of peace of mind while camping with such a small baby. I found it particularly useful for keeping her at a good temperature. I’m definitely guilty of over dressing my babies but with this she was comfy and cozy all night!
For really little babies it helps to keep their routine as close to the same as your home routine when it comes to sleep so for us that meant using the same swaddle and sound machine! She loves the Halo Velcro swaddles and her Hatch sound machine. For her first trip we had an electrical camp site so we were able to bring our regular sound machine from home, but Hatch also has a portable version that’s great if you don’t have electricity.
🇨🇦: Halo Velcro Swaddle, Hatch Sound Machine, Hatch Go Portable Sound Machine
🇺🇸:Halo Velcro Swaddle, Hatch Sound Machine, Hatch Go Portable Sound Machine
Feeding
At this point I’ve camped with babies fed in all possible ways. My daughter is exclusively breast fed, and I camped with my son both when I was exclusively pumping and after we transitioned to formula. So this means I have some tips for all situations!
This nursing pillow was a life saver for feeding in all kinds of places, whether that’s in the truck, at a picnic bench, or in a camping chair. It made it more comfortable and easier for both of us!
🇨🇦: Nursing Pillow
This nursing cover is so light and breathable! Perfect for using outdoors on hot days.
For bottle fed babies it helps to bring enough bottles for one full day so you aren’t constantly having to wash! My son initially used the Dr Browns anti colic bottles but we switched him to Tommie Tippie for our first trip because it was less parts to clean. Washing dishes or bottles at a campsite sucks enough so anything you can do to limit the amount of things to wash definitely helps
For pumping moms i would also recommend bring along enough parts for one full day to save you washing multiple times per day. At home I use the “fridge hack” where you put your parts in the fridge after use and use the same ones for 24 hours before washing, but with camping and using coolers I’m not comfortable with that (particularly pump parts sitting in gross cooler water, even in a ziplock baggie I’m not comfortable with that). A collapsible bin like this can be handy for keeping parts and bottles separate from food dishes. Just make sure you’re storing them where they won’t attract animals or bears (and not in your tent!)
🇨🇦: Collapsing Bin
We actually bought one of these portable power stations for my husband’s Cpap machine while camping, but if you are a pumping mom it would be great for running a pump, or recharging a portable pump while camping!
If your babies are anything like mine, you’ll want to pack lots of extra burp cloths (and extra shirts for you!). I love these ones, the muslin fabric is really absorbent and they’re actually big enough to keep you mostly clean. You will need way more than you think to last until you can do laundry again!
🇨🇦:Burp Cloths
🇺🇸:Burp Cloths
A portable folding highchair has been one purchase we made for camping that we’ve used so much at home too! We actually just keep it in our vehicle and it’s so handy at weddings or restaurants that don’t have enough high chairs or even dinners with friends and family!
Staying warm
This propane buddy heater is a must have for cooler weather trips! It’s amazing for warming up outside on chilly mornings and also come with some safety features like an emergency low oxygen safety system. It should only be used in well ventilated areas though and I personally don’t use it without a carbon monoxide detector for peace of mind!
🇨🇦: Buddy Heater
🇺🇸:Buddy Heater
Baby wearing is a great way to keep baby warm during the day and a cozy snuggle cover can help for particularly chilly days! This one even has pockets to keep your hands warm!
For sleep a heavy sleep sack and fleece under layers (maybe multiple layers depending on the temperature!) is great. There are even some sleep sacks that have arms to keep baby extra cozy. This one is down filled yet light weight perfect for colder nights.
A warm car seat cover is great if there are stroller friendly trails where you are camping (but these are not safe to use while driving!).
Staying cool
These portable fans (I think we have three now) are amazing for hot summer nights in the camper or tent. The battery lasts us at least a 2-3 nights if we’re just using it as a fan, but ut does also have USB ports amd can be used for charging other devices as well. We bought these for camping initially but they get lots of use at home as well especially during summer power outrages.
🇨🇦:Portable Fan
🇺🇸:Portable Fan
One of the hardest parts of having a small baby in the summer is keeping them out of the sun (babies under six months shouldn’t wear Sunscreen!) this shade tent folds flat for easy transport and storage and is well ventilated. It gives baby a good place to sit or lay out of the sun. Great for beach days while the older kids play in the sand!
🇨🇦:Pop Up Tent
🇺🇸:Pop Up Tent
This fan we use more for the drives to and from camping as we find especially with rear faces kiddos, the AC in our vehicle doesn’t circulate well in the back seat and they can get hot back there fast! But it has a USB cord so you could also use it while camping with a power bank!
🇨🇦:Backseat Fan
🇺🇸:Backseat Fan
Campsite Safety
One of my biggest concerns when camping with a mobile baby was the fire pit! Whether that’s little hands getting too close and getting burned, or new walkers taking a tumble and bumping their head on the steel fire ring. We bought one of these puppy play pens to create some distance between kiddos and the fire pit.
A good properly rated life vest is a non negotiable for me any time my kids are on or around the water. Look for one that’s coast guard approved and rated for your babies weight.
Some more of my favourite things
Dog poop bags are awesome for containing Stinky diapers in small spaces! Theres nothing worse than baby having a stinky blow out right at bed time and you wont want to smell that all night in your camper or tent (or have the smell attracting animals!). Trying off each diaper in a doggy bag can help container the smell until you can take out the trash. You want to use scented diaper bags inside a tent if you are camping in an area where bears may be an issue. Don’t forget a wet bag for any soiled clothes! It contains the smell but also if you add some water to keep everything wet (gross I know but it works) until you can wash it, it will help prevent the stains from setting.
🇨🇦: Dog Poop Bags
I love this hiking style carrier for older babies and toddlers! Even my son loved this one and as a little baby he did not tolerate being worn at all. The pocket is awesome for bring some necessities on the trail without needing to bring another bag.
🇨🇦:Osprey Backpack Child Carrier
🇺🇸:Osprey Backpack Child Carrier
This portable play yard is great for giving baby a shaded (and contained!) place to play at the Campsite. You could also put a bug net over it on buggy days. We use this at home all the time too at my older kids spots or just in the backyard!
A carrier or wrap is a must have if you want to enjoy some hiking trails that aren’t stroller friendly. This Ergobaby carrier is my favourite for smaller babies. It’s very size inclusive and very comfortable!
This ones not just baby related but this KAILANI cooler has been a game changer. We have the 75 version of this and ice last so much longer! Awesome if you are pumping while camping and want to get that liquid gold home safe!
🇨🇦: Cooler
Camping with a baby may seem intimidating but you don’t need to put your families adventures on hold. With a little planning and the right gear it can be a fun and rewarding experience. Before you know it your baby will be just as excited to head to the Campsite as you are!
Have you camped with your baby? Or are you planning your first trip? I’d love to hear your best tips or questions bellow!
