1st Camping trip with a baby

[Campcharlie]

self heating baby bottle

[jpee]

Travel cot/crib. Nice insulating layer under and over (fleecy blanket to lie on, on top of mattress and good layered insulation above) and a wee fleecy cap. We have taken our kids camping since couple of months old in tents.

We were on Mull at Easter and couple in T25 next to us had a baby. It wailed in evening and it wailed early morning, Mrs Jpee and I would look lovingly at each other and say 'at last it's not ours' and go back to sleep.

You enjoy your camping, Baby will be baby whether you're in a van or a house. Usually the only ones that will complain will be the retired couple with their wee yappy dog that shi*ts all over the campsite. Most others will give you a sympathetic smile and coo over baby.

[jpee]

Also the complainers will be in a caravan with PROMINENT camping caravan club sticker displayed. They will be disgruntled 'cause they had to pitch in a real campsite.

[Mr Bean]

Biggest problem is nappy disposal on the move. Shimple- roll into tube and stuff down table mount hole in floor. (Mine is open at bottom to facilitate ventilation without getting gassed in Europe)

[alkers]

Hi, I too am planning my first T25 trip with my now three babies (4yr, 2.5yr and 10mth old). Always camped before, so space was never such an issue. I have always slept with the babe. It gets cold in evening, so even with the duvets, I still put them in a snow suit. They are nice and snug. The way I see it, I am sleeping in a tracksuit, socks etc. so assuming they need 1 extra layer a snowsuit is perfect. Also good for them when pottering about in morning or dusk. Do you have an all in one anorak?

Get the cartons of milk in.

I am planning on the tots being in the pop top, us and babe in the 3/4 rock and roll - bit of a squeeze, but to be honest we are now pretty used to squeezing as many as poss into our bed! Long term I hope to make a cot in drivers cab.

[mikey9]

Just done 15 days to mull and western isles with 7 month old (and his 2.5 yr old brother) in hightop t25.

Parcel shelf bed for baby (do a search for link or come back to me for details) - both slept like a log on it!!)

Bottles - if your baby normally has warm milk try them on room temp before going - many babies don't mind - powder mixes fine - both of ours have have it cold from getting off the nipple.

STAR TIP - sterilising bottles = use Miltons tablets (15 mins and 5 litres of cold water and a tablet is all you need - oh and a bucket/tub) - works a treat

BABy CARRIER (beg borrow or steal one) - you can get on with the chores whilst entertaining the little un.
If you can take the buggy (we have a Mountain Buggy and it does go up mountains... - then a good place for them to fall asleep on the beach etc.) we strap ours behind the pass seat then chuck under the van when camping

As for disposing of nappies - it is possible to use real (non-throwaway) nappies - use laundrette for washing or handwash in a bucket and hang up from someones guy ropes (prob best to ask them tho ).

Fav comforter is a must - and stick to daily routine (nap times etc.) as best you can - it really works and makes for a more enjoyable time for all

Baby seats - check compatibility - there are lapbelt compatible seats out there (again pm me for a list if you need)

Sun cream and sun hat(s) as babies skin really needs protecting

Feeding solids - think about how you will feed them - you could use the car seat (but can be messy) - try to find a booster seat with tray (plastic moulded thing with a clip on tray) - like a low level high chair - allows you to feed them anywhere from the floor - to the field to the seat (again if you need more - come back to us). - Also tray is good for letting them play with toys whilst you shovel the food in.....(if you have a BUMBO - you can get a tray for it)

We found having curtains made from blackout material really helps - in North of scotland where it is thinking about getting dark at 1045 at the mo - they really make a difference when they are going down at 7pm.

Calpol, thermometer, babies "red book" (med details), teething powders (if 5 months onwards)....

Make sure you have lots of places to hang and dry out bibs and face cloths.

Finally - DO IT - we are just back from a great trip - I am sure the little uns enjoyed it - even if they don't remember it when they are 25!