Camping is fun for the whole family. Camping with a baby requires slightly more preparation and additional gear to accommodate a little one. If you are taking a baby along on your next camping adventure, consider including the following equipment to ensure an enjoyable trip for everyone:
Playpen
A playpen may not immediately pop into your head as something essential to take along for your baby when camping, but if you consider some of the potential dangers of the outdoors you will realize the value of this piece of gear. By bringing along a small, collapsible playpen, your child will have a safe place to crawl around and enjoy their toys while you prepare meals or enjoy a campfire.
Sleeping Bag
This may seem fairly obvious, but your baby should have his or her own sleeping bag for comfort as well as for safety. The bag should fit snugly and provide enough warmth for the outdoor environment where you will be camping. There are several product options to choose from, including bags that are more like a wearable blanket and other snug-fitting options to keep your baby secure. Be sure that any blankets and sleeping bags for babies do not endanger the baby by covering the baby’s face.
Carrier
When taking a young baby out camping with you, it is convenient to have a way to carry them that will allow you to still pursue all of your outdoor activities. A carrier that you can either wear on the front or back will let you still take hikes and enjoy the outdoors, while keeping your baby comfortable at the same time. Choose from soft carriers for young infants, and carriers with frames for older babies. Many backpack-style carriers also have fold-over covers that provide a bit of shade.
Changing Mat
A changing mat is essential for all of the necessary diaper changes that happen when a baby is part of your world. There are several types of changing mats available, and most will fit easily into a diaper bag or backpack for accessibility and ease-of-use. And, most likely, if you have a baby in your house you already have one of these that you use when you are on-the-go.
Bassinet
Your baby needs a safe place to sleep when you are enjoying a trip in the outdoors, so a small, foldable bassinet is a great option. You want to keep your baby from rolling around inside the tent, so for young babies especially a bassinet is invaluable.
Portable Booster Seat
A place where your baby can sit and enjoy meals is invaluable at home, and the same convenience is easy to have even when dining in nature. Product options for these Pop N Sit seats include those that look like a small camping chair with a removable tray, as well as selections that easily fasten onto a picnic table. Most of these seat options are also quite lightweight for easy transport during your camping trips.
Sunglasses
The sun can be bright but with glasses with UVA/UVB protection your baby can be protected. Sunglasses for infants include features like colorful wrap-around frames, adjustable strap that holds the sunglasses on comfortably, and tested for no lead, BPA or phthalates.
Camping with A Baby Tip
Test out all the camping gear at home first and work out the kinks. It’s one thing to go camping and not have what you need but it’s a whole other matter when you don’t have what your baby needs.
Even if you are away from home for a getaway in the outdoors, your baby can still have all of the comforts of home. Consider including the products above when you head out on your next camping trip with your baby, so you can all focus on just enjoying your time in nature.
