Top tips for camping with a baby

Packing up your tent or campervan with a tiny human in tow can feel daunting. Where do we put all the stuff? What about sleeping? What can I feed them?! 

Camping with a baby is much more realistic than it sounds and really doesn't have to be daunting. Yes, it does have its hard bits, and yes, you’ll need to adjust from the normal routine. But it really can be a relaxing break for you all, and the perfect opportunity to spend as much time outdoors as possible!

Last month, we packed up our things (and the dog) and went in search of adventure in the Lake District for Remy's very first camper experience. 

I won’t lie, by the third morning I said I was going home - I’d had no sleep the night before and my back hurt from carrying him in the hills. My moaning wasn't met with enthusiasm but we agreed to have a steady morning out and head home after that. 

Low and behold, after a morning of exploring, a big lunch and a strong coffee, I decided to try one more night and the little man slept the best he ever has (and ever will again), and so we stayed for the rest of the week, and it was brilliant. 

We climbed up fells, ate fish and chips by the lake and generally took life that bit steadier for a few days. I didn't come back as refreshed as I did from holidays pre-baby, but are we ever really refreshed until they leave home?! I did however have the hills in my legs, the sun on my skin and some lovely family memories to take home with me.

Here are a few things that I learned about a successful camping trip with a baby: 

Lower your expectations

Your adventures may be a bit different than they were, so don’t go into it expecting it to be like it was before you had a baby, as you’ll end up feeling that you haven't had a successful trip. Go with the flow, adapt and enjoy a new kind of adventure.

Bye bye routine

As with any holiday, your usual routine will go out of the window. Don’t worry about it, it’s amazing how babies can adapt! If they get too tired they’ll sleep, and a week of change doesn’t mean that your home routine will be disrupted. Don’t get fixated on plans, as they may change. But equally, don’t get panicked by changes to the norm - this is a whole new experience for baby too. They may fight sleep to take it all in, or they might be clingier than usual, but know that quality family time in the great outdoors is benefiting their development hugely.

Pack ALL the snacks

If your baby is on solids, throw all the snacks you can at them. They’re on holiday too, so don’t worry about trying to have enough homemade food with you. Improvise and bring food that will travel, and little treats they can associate with being on holiday! If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you’ll inevitably need to feed them outdoors at some point, so think about the weather and if it’s chilly, make sure you and baby are warm enough. If you formula feed your baby, you’ll need to plan for the same for outdoor feeds. It may also be trickier to sterilise bottles and mix up formula if you’re camping. Most campsites will have sockets and charge points, but it’s worth planning ahead to check. You may also want to think about cool bags and ice packs if you’re planning to be out and about for a few hours. 

Embrace the smell

Let’s be realistic, your baby isn’t going to have a leisurely bubble bath every night, and neither are you. Wet wipes are your friend. They’ll survive a week without a bath, even if their hair is full of cream cheese and bread crusts. And if they really need one, make it fun, get them in that washing up bowl or a campsite sink!

Make fun out of the everyday

You don’t need to pack all the toys. Little people are fascinated by “stuff” - tent zips, pots and pans, cups, wooden spoons, lamps - they can provide plenty of fun on soggy British days. If you’re out and about during the day, there’s plenty in the great outdoors to fascinate little ones - it may just give you a new sense of wonder for nature too. 

Pack for all weathers

Sun hats, warm hats, rain suits, sun cream, midge repellent - pack it all! There are some great baby friendly sun creams and midge repellents available, so do your research before you go. 

Above all, enjoy it! Family camping trips are the perfect way to explore the outdoors with your little ones and create memories that last a lifetime.

Have you ever camped with your little one? We’d love to hear your top family camping trip tips!

Wainwright bagging with little legs

There are 214 Wainwrights – my children have successfully completed 8 of these to date!

While that might sound pitiful to some, for those that know of, or have indeed completed the Wainwright walks, you’ll be aware that this is no easy slog.

Alfred Wainwright documented the 214 ‘official’ peaks, and to summit all 214 fells is considered the ultimate peak bagging of the Lake District.

Of course, it’ll take my family many years to complete these walks, as there are some incredibly tricky peaks in there! That being said, there’s no reason why children can’t be involved in ‘wainwright bagging’ from a young age; inspiring and encouraging their love of the outside as you go!

When you’re heading out for a fell walk with younger children, there’s a different level of preparation that’s needed.

Here are a few basic tips that may help your family prepare before heading out Wainwright bagging!

Preparing for the weather

Unlike park walks or forest walks, you really have to take into account the possibility of severe weather changes when fell walking.

While it can feel warm and sunny at the bottom of the peak, as you steadily climb, things can drastically change and extra layers should always be packed.

We never begin our fell walks without ensuring we’ve packed plenty of extra layers. Thin all-in-one waterproofs are also a huge must in our household! I find that depending on the terrain, my children either wear their wellies on these walks, or their walking boots.

Snacks

We all know how much of our day revolves around snack time! This certainly doesn’t change while out fell walking. In fact, without snacks to get them through the walk, you could find yourself having to deal with a hungry toddler meltdown! Not an ideal combination when staggering up the side of a mountain.

I always pack the children’s favourite snacks when fell walking. The odd treat is necessary when climbing mountains, and these treats could also work well as bribes or distractions to reach the top of the summit when times get tough.

Route planning

This may sound obvious but you’d be surprised at how many times we’ve been out walking in the Lake District and have encountered families unsure of the route to the summit, or the way back to their car.

Thankfully the 8 wainwright walks that we’ve completed have simple routes that begin and end close to where you park your car.

The simpler the route the better when walking with younger children.

Prior to embarking on your fell walk, make sure you know where to park your car, how far you expect to be walking, and where your half-way marker is – I find this is vital with kids.

If you work towards your half-way marker then the second half of the walk feels like the home straight and often goes a lot easier.

The most important thing to remember through all of this is why you’re there, remember what made your family embark on a fell walk and don’t forget…if all is going pear-shaped then you can turn round and try again another day.

The key is to avoid children feeling like walking is a negative experience – keep it fun and light-hearted where possible. And of course, don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

You can find the Wainwright routes that Laura and her family have completed over on www.thehikinghousehold.com

Breastfeeding outdoors: Top tips for feeding on a walk

Whether you’re new to breastfeeding or well-versed in sticking your baby on the boob, it feels great to do it surrounded by nature. It’s easy, doesn’t require any special kit, and no matter where you’re adventuring, you can probably find a spot to stop and give baby a feed. But how do you actually go about it? 

We asked our Blaze Trails local group organisers for their top tips for breastfeeding outside, while on a walk. Here’s what they said…

Relax

The most important thing is to relax. The first time that cool air hits your skin might take you by surprise, but it’ll feel normal (and liberating!) in no time. 

Some people feel nervous about breastfeeding outside due to feeling a bit exposed or what other people’s reactions might be. Try not to worry about what other people will think – most people won’t bat an eyelid, and if they do, ignore them...you’re doing a very natural thing, in nature! If you do feel self-conscious, try and find a sheltered spot away from other people passing by.

If you’re stressed or uncomfortable your baby might pick up on it and it won’t be a pleasant experience for either of you. So just chill, settle in and enjoy. Baby will love being soothed by the sights and sounds of nature as they feed. 

Wear layers

This is especially true in winter. Lots of layers for both you and baby are important when the weather is chilly, as you may be sat around a while.

It can be a good idea to wear two tops, so you can pull one up and one down to feed without exposing too much flesh to the elements.

Muslins are key pieces of trail kit as they have so many uses – as well as laying baby down on them, using them as sun shades and wiping up sweat/milk/mud, you can also use them as a cover-up when feeding outdoors if it makes you more comfortable, or if you have a very inquisitive baby who’ll be otherwise distracted by all the trees! 

Absolutely don’t feel like you ‘have’ to cover up to make anyone else comfortable. This is only if you prefer it. You’d be surprised at how little boob is visible anyway when a baby is attached - and even if it is visible, go you! Boobs are brilliant. Feed where, when and how you want to. 

Explore breastfeeding clothes

Specific breastfeeding tops, jumpers and coats are great, but don’t feel you need to spend lots of money. As noted above, layers of regular clothing are often brilliant. Resale websites are great for finding good condition second-hand breastfeeding clothing. 

Keep energy levels up

It’s super-important to keep hydrated when you’re breastfeeding, so make sure you pack plenty of water (and a snack if you get peckish). 

In winter, a flask of hot chocolate is a nice treat to warm you up and keep you going. 

Be comfortable

Depending how hungry baby is, you could be feeding for a while, so it’s important that you’re both comfortable. If you’re sat down, try and find a bench or a tree to lean against. It’s a good idea to pack some spare clothing or something to use as a cushion. And if it’s wet, don’t forget to pack a bin liner or large plastic bag to sit on so you don’t get a wet bottom. 

Plan feeding stops

If you don’t fancy perching on a log to breastfeed, then plan in stops at cafes or other services where you can stop for a feed, go to the toilet and crucially, eat some cake! 

Feeding with baby in a sling/carrier

If you’re carrying baby in a sling or baby carrier and you don’t want to stop for a break, it’s possible for you to feed on the move if you’re carrying them on your front with them facing you. 

Carefully loosen the shoulder straps so that baby is in line with your boob, then retighten so they’re secure. You might need to slow down or even stop all together, but it saves from getting baby in and out of the carrier for a feed. It might also soothe them if they’re a bit grumbly. Make sure you continue to keep them safe by following TICKS guidelines while they’re feeding. Once they’ve finished, you can just re-adjust the straps so they’re back in position. 

Follow or contact your local sling library for more support with baby carrying, finding the right carrier for you, and tips on how to feed when carrying. 

Join your local Blaze Trails walking group

If you’re out walking with your local Blaze Trails group and need to breastfeed, you’ll be in good company. There’s no need to feel nervous or worried about holding the others up – our walks take as long as they take because when babies need feeding, you need to feed them! It’s likely that the other group members will welcome a rest too, and it’s a good time for a proper chat and a chance to catch your breath. 

Find your local group here, or start your own!

What do you love about breastfeeding outdoors? Let us know! 

A walk in the park – our favourite park walks

When it comes to walking, parks can often be overlooked in favour of more epic scenery or more challenging routes. But for new parents, a walk in a local park can offer great solace; particularly as many parks have toilets and changing facilities, as well as play areas for the older kids and sometimes even a café for a crucial caffeine fix.

Throughout the pandemic, our local parks and green spaces have provided a vital escape – allowing us to get some fresh air and giving us a much-needed morale boost during lockdown.  

We asked some of Team Blaze about their favourite parks. Here’s what they said…

Priory Park, Reigate

“We love going here. It’s lovely and big, and about half of it is paved so very accessible for pushchairs/scooters/little bikes. There's a big pond where you can spot loads of different birds. Plus, it has a fantastic child-friendly café in the middle, and a huge children's play area too. The other half of it is pretty wild, with woodlands and steep and multitudinous routes. The perimeter is about 5 kilometres in all, and as well as paved areas and the woodlands, there's plenty of wide-open grassy space for picnics and games. It’s just lovely.”

Ché, Surrey Organiser

Langley Park, Iver

“This is my absolute favourite place. It’s a beautiful space that is always calm and peaceful with so much to explore. It has some stunning features like an arboretum, lots of history, a lake and an incredible show of Rhododendrons in the spring. There’s an easy route along to the lake and back across fields and through a woodland of Sequoia trees, which takes in the best of the park. A cafe, lots of parking, baby changing facilities, a little play park and buggy-friendly paths make it a perfect location for a walk!”

Chrissy, East Berkshire Organiser

West Bank Park, York

“York boasts some beautiful parks, and West Bank Park in Holgate is no exception. This 16-acre hidden gem is a 20-minute walk from York City Centre and is a real escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was originally a nursery owned by botanist, James Backhouse, who travelled the world seeking out rare species of plants and trees to bring back for his clients. This means that the park is packed full of beautiful mature trees and plants, many of which you won’t find elsewhere in the UK.

“Explore the woodland and follow the marked tree trail to discover more about what you see. You can also visit the wildlife pond and bird-feeding areas, as well as the beautiful rose terraces. On Tuesdays and Thursdays a group of volunteers run The Little Friends of Westbank Park for 0-4 year-olds and the After School Friends for 4-7 year olds. You can find both groups on Facebook. If that’s not enough to entice you, there are two children’s playgrounds, a basketball court, a meadow, two bowls greens and a café. It’s a great way to discover nature for free without leaving the city.”

Erin, North Yorkshire Organiser

Draycote Water, near Rugby

“We love an 8km walk around Draycote Water. It has great views, fab spots for a picnic, a hard surface track, which is perfect for buggies, and so much to explore for toddlers. It’s our favourite park. And what’s more, there’s plenty of parking, a nice cafe, toilets with changing facilities and huge play area.”

Klara, Northamptonshire Organiser

Hughenden Park, High Wycombe

“This is our fave park, and we live right near it, which is even better! It’s a National Trust property but the wider parkland is council run and there’s free parking at the church. As well as beautiful parkland with lots of trails and places to find off the beaten track, there’s a really nice children’s playground on the Wycombe edge of the park. In the spring there’s an amazing display of daffodils and autumn is brilliant for some nice crunchy leaf walks. There’s a stream running through the bottom of the parkland, which is lovely for paddling or cooling dogs down! Loos and a cafe are available up in the manor courtyard, and you don’t need to be an NT member to access them.”

Jen, Buckinghamshire Organiser

Graves Park, Sheffield

“Our favourite park has to be this one. It has amazing views towards the Peak District, which gives you a sense of freedom and adventure, even when you're not there. The birds are amazing, and there are always new paths to find. For a longer solo adventure, it's also part of the 15-mile Sheffield Round Walk! There are also animals, a play area and a café. What more could you want?!”

Hazel, Sheffield Organiser

What’s your favourite park? Let us know.