RVing with a newborn

[Biggyniner]

Hi all,

Wife is expecting to deliver our first child (a baby girl) around mid-September. My question is, how early did some of you all start camping with your newborn, and any tips?

Chris

[jamnw]

We used a plastic wading pool for our kids. Minus the water! It fit inside the TT for traveling.
It worked great. Put blankets for padding, throw in some toys and let them go!

[wannavolunteerF]

My granddaughter turned 1 month old in my TT. this after a long flight from WI to TX and four nights in hotel while her Moma attended a conference. then a flight into GA and 5 nights in TT (it was parked in my yard, so house was available too).

That being said, I have to agree with poster that toddler was more difficult. I made the trip to TX to conference with my DD to babysit and a one year old in a hotel is much more difficult.

[tundraman67]

Took grandson when he was a month old, but in a fifth wheel there really isn't any difference than being at home. He's now 6 months old and been on 6 trips so far and loves it. I will have to figure out how to secure the screen door now that he is starting to crawl or buy a kiddie fence.

[Uppercrust]

Our son was 1 month old, at my moms seasonal camper. He was 1 when we got a pop up. Never to young to start them camping & making great memories.

[SCVJeff]

4 months with a Starcraft Galaxy 24 Tent Trailer

[Biggyniner]

DutchmenSport wrote:
My granddaughter at 5 months, camping with us:



My other 2 granddaughters, my dog, and me. Kids are 1 year and 3 years.



My son at about 6 months. By the time this photo was taken, he was a seasoned "back of the pick-up truck" camper (and a tent to toss all our junk). He's now 28 years old!



We took the same little guy out Christmas shopping 4 days after he was born.

You can start camping with babies the day they arrive home. Your camper, RV, tent, or whatever, is nothing more than an extension of your home. Just do for the babies the same camping that you'd do at home! No difference. Just a different location!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he'll not depart!" (The good book with a loosie-goosie translation! You want them to be campers when they are adults, then take them when they are babies! AND have FUN!

Great Pics, beautiful family!!

[Biggyniner]

Wow thanks for teh great responses eeryone. I am really looking forward to taking my daughter on her first trip. You have all built my confidence, thanks again!

[minn_camping_fa]

Our oldest started at 4 months and our youngest started at 6 months.

There's lots of good advice here and I'd agree with everyone saying "go for it!" - one thing to keep in mind, when baby is awake at night, everyone in the camper will be awake. There's no way to sleep when your spouse is taking their turn with the baby, you'll hear everything and feel every movement! (Speaking from experience). I guess I'd just plan to take it real easy the first couple of trips, and don't feel badly for wanting to nap when the baby naps 🙂 (Is there anything better than a nap in the camper??).

[obgraham]

10-day guy gets the prize so far. We went on a 2 week trip on the other end of the country when our first was 5 weeks old. Then we toured California/Arizona/Nevada with her and 5 month twins in a rented motorhome.

It all worked out. You do what you have to do!

[Opie431]

Friends went camping with their 17 day old daughter in a tent for a week.

[Kittykath]

We camped with a 2 year old and a 2 month old. The toddler was much more work as he was fascinated with the campfire. We were smart to camp only 3 miles from home, because the newborn was still opposed to sleeping at night, and the crying carried very well through the canvas of a popup camper. So I headed home and returned the next morning for breakfast. The next night was a repeat of the first night.

[bartletttravell]

October 13 2004 grandson born October 30 2004 was his first football game. We stayed in the motorhome Friday thru Sunday. Had a great trip. So he was 16 ays old.

Jim

[Jester79]

We took our daughter right after we bought our PUP - she wasn't quite 2, and she has LOVED it ever since! We are getting ready to take her and our 6 month old son next month for a couple of close trips to get him used to it. I would agree with PP's in that you probably need to pack more than you think, you should try to drive when the munchkins sleep, and have a VERY loose itinerary. We also do a lot of Fall camping to avoid extreme heat and bugs. Enjoy every moment, as they go by way too quickly.

Happy Camping!!

[phenrichs]

Our youngest daughter was 2 weeks old when we took her on her first trip. We had a hybrid at that time. It was fine. just like at home. Don't let them get too much sun and try to keep the biting insects away.