What Can Babies Sleep in While Camping?

Having a baby doesn't mean you have to give up your adventurous lifestyle. As long as your baby's amenable, you can take her camping with you. Without her usual crib, though, you might worry about helping her sleep safely and comfortably. Fortunately, it's easy to choose an alternative that fits your family.

  1. Portable Crib

    • Camping stores sell portable cribs for camping. These range in size from small, bassinet-sized cribs to more full-sized ones. In addition to serving as a bed, these cribs can also double as play pens during the day time. Baby can play, but you won't have to worry about him wandering off or getting too close to dangerous things like the camp fire or burning mosquito repellant. These cribs should be easy to set up and take down. If you're going this route, note the height of the crib. You may need to use a larger tent in order to accommodate the crib.

    Comfortable Clothing

    • Your baby can sleep next to you in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. According to AskDrSears.com, co-sleeping is perfectly safe, though you'll want to avoid too many blankets. A camp pad is a better choice for comfort than an air mattress, which might leak and become too soft for your baby to sleep on. If you suspect the temperature will drop, purchase a sleep sack for your baby to wear in addition to her pajamas. This is like a sleeping bag with arms. It will keep her warm, but you don't have to worry about it covering her face, as you would have to with blankets.

    In-Bed Co-Sleeper

    • If you don't have the space for a large portable crib, but feel a bit uncomfortable co-sleeping, an in-bed co-sleeper could be a good middle ground. This more carefully defines a baby's sleeping space with short walls around the sides. You won't worry about rolling over onto him and he'll be comfortable in his own little bed.

    Shade Tent

    • Consider purchasing a shade tent for your baby's naps. Little ones shouldn't stay out in the sun for extended periods of time, so putting her in there to sleep protects her without tying you down to the camp site. A shade tent is portable and easy to set up on the ground wherever you go. For extra protection, look for a tent that has UV protection built into its fabric.

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