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Hello, been looking at the site for a few weeks as my husband and best friends have got me to try camping for the first time, or 'glamping' as they put it!

I have a 10 weeks old baby, 3 year old, 17month old balck lab and a very enusiastic husband!  Would be very grateful for any tips or advice.  Not going is not an option!  ;-) I am looking forward to it really, we are going to a campsite in the New Forest.

We have borrowed a tent, cooking stove & Gas, shelf unit, air beds, sleeping bags, chairs, kettle, plates, cups and a table.  I am taking a bowl, cutlery, towels, washing liquid .....but was wondering if we are missing things...

If anyone has any ideas, or tips from own experience i would be very very grateful.

Mia

I'm sure you'll enjoy your camp in New Forest. Which site are you going to and for how long? I hope to camp at Ocknell midAugust, not booked yet. Used to live in Southampton so was often in and around New Forest.

Remember matches or lighter if needed and pans. Also keep bread, biscuits etc in a lidded container if possible. Depending on which site there may be inquisitive ponies who can sniff food out.

Pump for airbed,  pillows if needed, and as Helen said, a flask is useful for night-time or morning drinks.

Hi

I swore by the fleecy sleep suits you can get for little ones. I put them over their PJ's or sleep suits as extra layers. Mine never stayed in a sleeping bag so ensured they stayed warm & asleep through the night.

Make sure you put some insulation under & over the airbeds. I put rugs on the floor and fleecy blankets over the airbed. The airbed won't give you any insulation and so in effect you're sleeping on the earth warmth wise without. 

Enjoy your camping

Jen

Put the toilet-training toddler in pull-up nappies for night-time .... sleeping bags are a pain to wash/dry after accidents!

Are you taking a travel cot for the tiny, or is he sleeping in a carry-cot?  Either way, take a cellular blanket (those with little square holes in) and drape it right over the cot at night - keeps the air in the cot a little warmer for the little one (my daughter's first night under canvas was at 4 weeks old, her first week-long trip at 6 weeks old - she actually took her first steps in a field!).

Try not to worry too much about Archie being grouchy - the fresh air will probably knock him out anyway, but you are always far more aware of your own baby crying than anybody else's.  Most people are very understanding, and those that aren't need to camp on adults-only sites!  Babies are NEVER too young to camp.

Relax and have a great time (and remember bed-time routines just don't exist in a field - just go with the flow - children in fields get plenty of sleep, just not necessarily at the time they would sleep at home!).

Scampi,

im so glad you took such a young child camping i was begining to think i was mental taking my 3 weeks old camping! he is now 2 and a veteran camper.

Hi Mia,

We are going to the same site as you this weekend! Sat - Mon.

If you see a Sun Valley 8 tent with a Silver Citroen C3 (GR57 plate) pop over and say hi!

Just the wife and I this weekend - The little 'un is with grandparents - first weekend off since he was born 14 months ago!!! Can't wait.