LCENCE
Evergreen, CO USA
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Joined: 06/25/2003
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Greetings -- just made the leap from tent camping to popup after spending a miserable weekend camping with our 9-month old. We'll be heading off on our maiden voyage with our brand new Coleman Carmel, and wondering if anyone's got any tips for camping with a baby? I don't expect the PU to solve everything, but it should make things lots easier (space for him to crawl/roll around, easier to change him and us, more sleeping space for all of us, etc.).
Any tips/tricks for camping with babies? Thanks in advance and happy camping!
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GrammaAnn
Benbrook, Texas
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Joined: 06/08/2003
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Best I can suggest ( and this comes from YEARS ago), take the littlest blow up pool you can find. Makes the best bath possible, and it's good for soaking mama's feet too!!
Gramma Ann
The Texas Gypsy
New to us - 1988 Shasta 32ft with full handicap accessibility. Move over world Gramma and Grampa are on the road!!
One OLD Hubby, Logan the dog, and Baby the cat ( both left over from the granddaughter !!)
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LCENCE
Evergreen, CO USA
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Joined: 06/25/2003
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What a great idea! That never even occurred to me, although I did wonder how on earth I was going to bathe him ... that'll be much easier than taking him with me into the public shower. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Oasisbob
Portland Oregon 97266
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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Our boys began camping as infants and Love it! We currently have a 16 month old foster daughter and with all have found a portable travel bed works great. Our biggest challenge was having our little ones wake up due to noisey thoughtless drunken neighbors time and time again. I suggest a box fan for this as it makes enough constant noise that it can drown out noise from outside. Also we have a back pack made specifically for babies through toddlers. All ours loved this. It was made by LL Bean. Do not put them to bed until they are exhausted and hopefully they go to bed same time as you. Make it fun! Floaty baby supports are a great way to introduce them to water. Hope this helps. You are laying a foundation that can last a life time. Take lots of pictures. Best wish's.
Oasis Bob
Wonderful wife & 4 Really Fun kids
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3 V-6)
2001 Bantam Trail Lite B-19
HAPPY TRAILS
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gaetzchamp
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Joined: 06/25/2003
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We're on our 3rd baby in our Coleman Westlake. What's worked good for us is to have the baby sleep on the table bed and we sleep on the nearest foldout bed. From there we could keep a close eye on them without having to crawl out of bed and across to the other side. It was also convenient to just turn on a flashlight in the middle of the night to make sure baby was properly covered up.
Have fun!!!!
Gaetzchamp
Chev 2500, 4x4, Crew Cab
99 Coleman Westlake
4 crazy camping kids- Rainey 10, Dillon 7, Chloe 6, Maddux 2, and LW.
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sierra75142
Tx USA
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Joined: 09/09/2002
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We had our trailer before we had the baby. I don't remember doing to much different but we would set up the tent to give the baby a place to play. Used it for potty training also. I potty trained him when he was about the age of yours. Everyone couldn't believe how easy it was and how quickly he learned! That was 30 years ago!
All answers are given IMHO, don't take the advice of one person. Do your own research. What works for one person might not be best for another.
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granny di
central PA
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Joined: 03/17/2003
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Hi: We also camped in a tent with our babies, but now that they're all grown, we're taking grandchildren along. Last year we took our 6 month old granddaughter, and put the dinette down into a bed, but with the harder back sides of the cushions facing upwards, and put her pack n play on it for sleeping. The pack n play can then be used outside during the day (we got a mesh cover for it to keep the insects out). Another handy item is a nightlight (when you have electrical hookups) to give some soft light so baby won't wake up startled at his surroundings. This also allows you to see and move around without turning on bright overhead lights. For bathing, we used a plastic basin and once our own kids grew out of that, a simple plastic storage bin (whatever size works best) filled with the appropriate amount of water worked very well. Afterward, you can use the bin for its intended purpose, storing camping supplies, etc. Hope this helps, and have fun!
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TUMBLEWEED
CA
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Joined: 04/18/2003
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Already alot of great advice. I agree with the plastic basin, works great for bathing babies and small children. Also when all else doesn't work when trying to get your babies and toddlers to sleep, a nice slow drive through the campground in their car seat works great. My last advice is to forget having a campfire till they are well beyond their toddler years, alot less to worry about. Good Luck
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LCENCE
Evergreen, CO USA
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Joined: 06/25/2003
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Thanks for all the suggestions! I grew up camping myself, and really look forward to introducing our son to its joys. Can't wait to teach him how to play cribbage!
Laura, Dave and wee Charlie
2003 Dodge Ram pulling a 2003.5 Coleman Carmel
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mountainfreak
Iowa, when we are not in the mountains
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Joined: 01/14/2003
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We have a 8 month old son and he loves camping already. We use a porta-playpen for a bed. We set it up on the dinnette bed. Also, a folding rocking chair comes in handy too.
There is nothing more fun than kids and camping!
Have fun!
*This Message was edited on 30-Jun-03 07:35 PM by mountainfreak*
J and J, Mountain Hikers
5 year old son
4 year old daughter
2003 Rockwood Roo 21
2003 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab 2wd
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