Two years ago we bought a Jayco 23.5 5th wheel and it was the perfect size for our family, wife, 14 year old daughter and myself. But now kinda unexpectantly we have added a son who is now 5 months old. This has been a lifestyle change to say the least but we are enjoying every minute of it. We also have a 23 year old daughter too so raising children is not new to us but camping with a baby sure is. So I am looking for a few tips. What kind of toys to bring and where to have them sleep, keeping the bugs from biting them up, stuff like that and maybe a few things I haven't thought of.We do have a pack and play that we can use as a crib too, but floor space is a little limited. I have though about getting a larger camper but I am sure in a few years our daughter will not be joining us on as many trips so this one will be just right once again, just need to get by until then.Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!

Pack n Play playpen was a lifesaver for us. Put it outside during the day when you need a little break from chasing the kid around. You can put a net over the top for bugs if needed. We put it the trailer at night and they would sleep in that until they were big enough to sleep in a normal bed. Ours fit nicely between the dinette seats, just moved the table top out.Bring a big old blanket for them to crawl around on too.

X2 on the pack'n'play. We used it when we had a small 1978 Wilderness TT which I am sure had less interior room than your 5th wheeler. We had 4 people, including the baby.

We used a pack and play for both outside containment and bed for night and naps. A small oscillating fan blowing into it keeps baby happy and also provides a little white noise during nap time. The graco brand mosquito net for the pack and play was better than the coleman one. We also took an actual area rug for the ground. It was like one college students use in dorm rooms with rubber backing. Yes it was a little heavy but it was nice to have the protection from the sharper rocks and dirt. A good backpack style carrier for the little one was awesome for hiking just remember the kid is in the sun so protect him. A bumbo seat with the food tray sits nicely on the pick nick table for feeding But they usually grow out of them around 6 months ish.When baby gets his own bed a pool noodle stuck under the sheet but over the mattress makes a good anti roll out device BUT when Jr gets to climbing it wont stop him.

We have found it very beneficial to inform the park that we have a baby with us (he is teething). They usually place us out of the way to avoid disturbing neighbors. As for what to bring it depends on the child. With our son he is happy with one toy at a time for 20-30 minutes. We keep a rotation on hand to keep him happy.

Congratulations on the addition to your family! And be glad you have a TT. My daughters, who each began camping in a TT at 6 weeks, grew up to be tent campers. Both of them tent camped with their babies. Those babies are now grown and some of them are still tent campers. We'll see if they pass it on to the next generation.The ideas above are great for camping with an infant. When he gets older, my best guess for a hazard is the TT steps. Protect him from falls.

Camping with babies | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Tiger4x4RV
Nomad
Apr 05, 2014
Congratulations on the addition to your family! And be glad you have a TT. My daughters, who each began camping in a TT at 6 weeks, grew up to be tent campers. Both of them tent camped with their babies. Those babies are now grown and some of them are still tent campers. We'll see if they pass it on to the next generation.

The ideas above are great for camping with an infant. When he gets older, my best guess for a hazard is the TT steps. Protect him from falls.
tsetsaf
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2014
We have found it very beneficial to inform the park that we have a baby with us (he is teething). They usually place us out of the way to avoid disturbing neighbors. As for what to bring it depends on the child. With our son he is happy with one toy at a time for 20-30 minutes. We keep a rotation on hand to keep him happy.
memgrove
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
We used a pack and play for both outside containment and bed for night and naps. A small oscillating fan blowing into it keeps baby happy and also provides a little white noise during nap time.

The graco brand mosquito net for the pack and play was better than the coleman one.

We also took an actual area rug for the ground. It was like one college students use in dorm rooms with rubber backing. Yes it was a little heavy but it was nice to have the protection from the sharper rocks and dirt.

A good backpack style carrier for the little one was awesome for hiking just remember the kid is in the sun so protect him.

A bumbo seat with the food tray sits nicely on the pick nick table for feeding But they usually grow out of them around 6 months ish.

When baby gets his own bed a pool noodle stuck under the sheet but over the mattress makes a good anti roll out device BUT when Jr gets to climbing it wont stop him.
dewey02
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2014
X2 on the pack'n'play. We used it when we had a small 1978 Wilderness TT which I am sure had less interior room than your 5th wheeler. We had 4 people, including the baby.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
Pack n Play playpen was a lifesaver for us. Put it outside during the day when you need a little break from chasing the kid around. You can put a net over the top for bugs if needed. We put it the trailer at night and they would sleep in that until they were big enough to sleep in a normal bed. Ours fit nicely between the dinette seats, just moved the table top out.

Bring a big old blanket for them to crawl around on too.

Forum Discussion

Camping with babies

15 Replies

About RV Families

Related Content

Camping at National parks

Our Camping Fur Babies

Camping with a baby

Camping With Babies

Tips for camping with babies ??