When a child is born, the camp seems to be abandoned. Babies can’t walk and toddlers want to rest or be still. The right gear is essential for a successful camping trip. Babies and toddlers require a few extra considerations, but are well worth the added expense. Everyone sleeps better knowing that baby safe is tucked away on that side.
A baby carrier must be in an overnight camp and must be hiking with small children. Buy a carrier that is designed for hiking use. Babies and toddlers are very portable, but after a while they get heavy, especially if they sleep. Kelty and Dueter are doing awesome carrying boys. These post methods are intended for parent’s comfort and baby safety. Baby designer clothes to take camping from 40 to 48 pounds; the total weight of the child and the gear.
Sleeping Bag
I have found the easiest way to sleep with a baby or toddler when they are on the trail is to just put them in the sleeping bag with you. If this is not your cup of tea, or if you need a larger space, try one of these as well:
The Sweetie Pie Sleeping Bag Funder or Doubler. Stretchy is great for pregnant or nursing moms as it adds extra room without turning the bag into a double bag. Doubler turns the mummy bag into a double sleeping bag suitable for two adults. Sweetie Pie products work with mummy sleeping bags made before 2009. Due to changes in the zippers of the new sleeping bags, Sweetie Pie products will not work. They are thinking about discontinuing the product once the current inventory is sold.
The Wedgie Bag Expander by Big Agnes Wedge adds an additional seven inches of girth to a sleep bag. It zips in place. It uses a sleeping bag of several different sizes depending on the zipper design. From a large layer these too.
Diapers and Such
The most difficult part of camping with a baby is the diaper issue. No trace of the campers; all the toys are carried out in the fields and paths. What about hay? I recommend using cloth diapers with a disposable liner, like the ones from Green Mountain. You will soak the solid waste liner in the cloth. Solid waste shall be emptied into a pit and buried at least 200 feet from the trail, just like adult human waste. Then place the diaper in a zipper-style plastic bag and place the liner in a sealed garbage bag. Use a duffel bag like the Waterproof Event Sil Ultra-Duty Dry Sack by Granite Equipment. The bags are almost indestructible, easy to carry and pack well.
While I wouldn’t recommend taking a baby along the entire Appalachian Trail, bringing a baby camping with you makes the experience more enjoyable as long as you have the right gear. Hiking is relatively painless with a good carrier. Mom, dad and baby can sleep well with stretcher bags. Everyone appreciates the food and smell less with the proper management of dirty fruits. I would love to hear about your baby camping experiences. Drop me a line or leave a comment below.
Sources:
Child Carriers Kelty
Duet Family Packs
Design Needs: Sweetie Pie Sleeping Bag Extenders
Great Agnes: Wedgie Bag Expander
Green Mountain Dimitris Liners
Granite Equipment Dry Sacks
