Preparation: As with all checklists you might want to add some items to this list or scratch some off. Use this list as a guide to creating your own camping checklist.
Camping With Baby Checklist:
- Baby carrier (This is an important item, especially if you plan on hiking. Be sure to test it out before you take it camping.)
- Baby swing
- Story books
- Bibs (If possible, bring a bib for each meal.)
- Diapers
- Properly fitted life jacket (for babies 20 pounds and up)
- Cloth diapers (For nursing, etc.)
- Pacifier with clip and ribbon or string
- Extra pacifier
- Diaper bag
- Portable high chair
- Baby food
- Formula (ready-made rather than powder)
- Bottles (extra bottles)
- Nipples (extra nipples)
- Disposable utensils (Don't worry about Mother Nature. You can wash and reuse disposable utensils when you get home.)
- Mittens (You can double up socks if necessary.)
- Waterproof ziploc bags
- Hand sanitizer (for mom)
- Mosquito netting to put around playpen
- Portable bassinet or pack-and-play
- Bedding for baby
- Clothing for all temperatures
- Clothing that can be layered
- Extra clothes
- Good sunscreen that is safe for babies.
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirt (to protect baby from the sun and bug bites)
- Extra socks
- Umbrella for shade
- Play tent
- Hat, helmet or glasses with built-in light (for mom)
- Extra plastic bags (for soiled diapers, trash and laundry)
- Battery operated baby monitor
- Plastic tablecloth or drop cloth (For baby play area)
- Favorite toys
- Stroller
- Pajamas with footies
- Clothes line
- Clothes pins
- Outside toys and beach toys
- Sippy cups
- Snacks
- Baby wipes (You will need lots of these.)
- Hat (for protection from the sun)
- Baby eating utensils
- Disposable changing pads
- Portable playpen (for keeping baby clean, occupied, and out of trouble. A playpen also make a nice place for baby to sleep.)
- Baby blankets (extras for cold nights)
- Baby thermometer
- First aid kit for baby
- Tummy tub or bath for baby (You can also use a plastic storage container for bathing baby.)
- Consult your pediatrician before planning the camping trip, especially for an infant with special needs.
- Test the waters with a short one-night or weekend-only trip with baby. You might even want to try camping out in the backyard first.
- Choose a site close to the bathrooms and washing areas. This will not only be very convenient for changing diapers, cleaning up, using sinks etc., but it also will give you and baby a way of stepping away from camp for a moment.
- Be extra vigilant about what baby is putting into their mouth. Try a pacifier to keep baby from looking for things to eat. Keep it clipped on babies chest with a short string or ribbon to prevent it from getting too dirty, too often.
- When getting together babies wardrobe remember that layering is key to keeping baby both warm and cool. Long sleeves and pants protect baby from the sun and bugs.
- Always pack more than you think you will need of everything; clothing, socks, diapers, formula, food, etc. You will especially need lots and lots of baby wipes. Babies can get very dirty out there and so can you and the rest of the family. Baby wipes will keep the entire family clean.
- A portable playpen with mosquito netting will keep your baby out of trouble, clean and protected from mosquitoes.
- If you bottle-feed, ready-made formula is much easier than powder. No mixing or refrigeration is required. Use bottles with disposable plastic liners. Store sterilized nipples, pacifiers and bottles in Ziploc bags until use. Try to bring enough clean, sterilized bottles, nipples and pacifiers for the entire trip if possible. You can always sterilize them when you get home. If necessary you can sterilize baby bottles, nipples and pacifiers in boiling water at camp.
- Follow baby's normal sleeping schedule, if possible. Be sure to follow safe sleeping instructions for baby to avoid SIDS risk. Consider investing in a pack-and-play.
- Bugs can be vicious while camping. Dress baby in ways so that there is as little exposed skin as possible. Most mosquito repellents are not suitable for small infants. Ask the pharmacist for baby safe insect repellent. Use mosquito netting over top of playpen and stroller.
- Be sure to bring a picnic blanket and set it beneath a shady tree or an umbrella. You and baby can lounge around, relax and eat lunch together. Double-layered, waterproof backing picnic blankets make a great choice.
- Keep baby out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Long pants and longs sleeves help keep the sun off of baby. Cotton is both cool and comfortable for your little one. Use sunscreen that is safe for infants. Sunscreens may cause an allergic reaction in very young babies. Keep baby in the shade or create your own shade with an umbrella. Baby hats are very effective for keeping sun exposure to a minimum.
- Be prepared for all kinds of weather. Bring extra baby blankets, extra warm clothing, hats and infant rain gear.
- Choose a campground that is close to a hospital so you will have access to help in case anything goes wrong.
- Never let the baby out of your site. You need to be constantly watching them. Keep your eyes and ears open for immediate danger or problems or potential hazards that baby can get into.
- Camping with other loved ones, family or friends who can care for baby and give you a break will help tremendously. Another pair of hands will help you keep babies needs satisfied and ensure that your needs are not being neglected.
No comments:
Post a Comment