In a couple of months we are going camping with friends, just for a few days but will be taking LO with us. I'm looking forward to it mostly but I'm also a little worried about how LO will cope in a strange environment and how we will cope without our usual facilities. So have you taken LO camping if so how did you get on with the following:

Bed clothes - we are planning on getting one of these travel cots http://www.amazon.co.uk/Koo-Travel-B...0420341&sr=8-2
so I think she'll be ok in that but I'm more concerned about keeping her warm at night. I usually get cold in the early hours when camping, so I want to make sure shes warm enough, whilst keeping the SIDS guidelines in mind. Can I double up on her sleeping bags or did you just put extra clothes on them?

Bedtime - Also she usually goes to bed at around 9pm but I can't imagine that I'd feel comfortable about putting her on her own in the tent, especially as it also has a door at the back of the tent (perhaps over paranoid i know). Did you stick to usual bedtimes, did baby settle ok? She usually sttn but I'm now imagining that I won't be able to settle her at all because she'll be confused by the sudden new environment.

Kayaking - is she too young at 6 months? I think she is but OH wants to give it a go. I've never done it myself so perhaps thats where my reluctance comes from but is it safe for LO? Have you taken LO kayaking, how did they get on?

Hill walking - Again this is an activity OH has planned, hes going to invest in a baby carrier. But I'm not sure she'll enjoy it. Firstly she'll be exposed to the elements, sun, rain, wind etc (obviously we won't do it if its bad but I'm aware that we could be out for hours). Also I think she might just get bored and find it too confining. So what are your experiences of this?

Feeds - I think we'll just be taking a lot of cartons, which worries me a little because she prefers her bottles freshly made. But what about sterilising etc. how did you get on with this. I'm assuming the only way I could do it would be to boil the bottle etc in a pan of boiling water? How did you get on, any tips?

Hygiene in general - no baths for 3 days? She has explosive poos, how am I going to cope with that. I know camp sites have showers available, so I'm guessing I'll just have to take her in shower with me.

I can see that there are ways of managing but it seems like its going to be hard work, so if anyone has any useful tips on how to make any of the above easier, I would be very grateful

i took my lo camping at 3mth with my group of camping buddies, i'm in the middle of sorting lo atm so will pop back in a bit and answere your ques, in the meantime nip in ukcampsite.com and post your ques in there as they have a lot of camping mommies in there who will jump to answer you, you can also search your ques in there and you will find prev discussions on this xx

As an avid camper and water sport person, I would skip out on the kayaking. It's not safe for a six month old as there aren't many life vests that would fit her securely. Frankly, I'm a bit shocked he wants to take your six month old baby kayaking.
I recommend a buckle carrier (ergo, connecta, even a buckle mei tai) for the hill walking and she should be find and secure on your back. You can buy rain ponchos as well that are designed to go over the carrier.

As for bedtimes, go with the flow. Bring lots of wet wipes and do basin baths if need be.

For sterilizing, get milton tablets and do cold water sterilization. It should be fine.

Hope that helps

Hi there, I've never taken this LO camping but I did with my first 10 years ago. I don't know any of this will help, but I had a few ideas

Bed time, I'd maybe keep LO in a tracksuit (non hooded of course) and stick to one sleeping bag. But I think I'd take cellular blankets as well in case it does go very cold. TBH when we took DS1, we just kinda went with the flow as far as bedtime went. You can always get LO back into a routine when you come home. I found it much less stressful this way! DS1 settled fine anyway, but didn't like the one very windy night we had!!

Kayaking - Personally I don't think I would be comfortable with taking my LO Kayaking. The water is too cold for a start and should a capsize happen, I'd feel awful, but that's me.

Hill walking. If you get the right carrier, LO could be very happy doing this. She'll be at an age where she will be starting to want to take the world around her in! Some carriers come with weather shields/sun visors too.

Feeds/Sterilising - I guess if there is a camping stove available then there is no reason why you can't do fresh bottles if needed. If you're going to be out a long time just put the water into the bottles and then take the powder in milk dispenser or sealable bag. As for sterilising, old fashioned boiling water or cold water with tabs and an ice cream carton.

As for hygiene - yes you could shower with LO or try an inflatable baby bath... They are fairly cheap and you can fill it from the shower!

Hope some of this helps or gives you some ideas.

We had a down feather (SP?) sleep bag for lo and he justr wore a track suit underneath
bedtime: hmm I would just put LO down when she gets tired and just stay close to your tent, I wouldnt worry about trying to keep the routine you have at home going.
Hiking: We had a back pack for our son and he sat in it happily for hours (with breaks of course) looked around, napped and everything!
http://www.minilodgers.co.uk/Equipme...rrier_225.aspx

bottles: I dont sterilize our bottles, just wash them with soap and hot water but the tablets for cold sterilizing sound like a good idea for you and you can bring a drum of powder formula and the small dispenser things so you can still make up fresh bottles (i do that when out and about and use bottled water)

hygiene, Just take LO in the shower with you and bring lots of baby wipes, shouldnt be a problem.

Kayak: I love kayaking but tbh I wouldnt take LO to do that its just to risky and life vest are hard to come by for such little critters and the water would just be way to cold if you should go overboard.

Enjoy Your trip, just go with the flow and try not to think to much about routines, it will be great