Recently, I was asked by a few friends for any tips on keeping their babies warm at night while camping. So hear are my thoughts:1. If they are under 1 year old, sleep them in their infant car seat. They usually love them anyways, it is only for a night or two and they are really warm. Especially if you have a Bundle Me (http://jjcolecollections.com/original-bundleme) in there with them. And then you don't have to pack a pac-n-play.
2. Depending on how cold it is at night I usually layer as follows - onesie, light weight long johns (we have REI brand), fleece pants and top, long sleeve sleep sac, sleeveless sleep sac, down coat/vest, hat... and yes, then they cannot really move. And this is the most layering we have done - probably 40 degrees at night. I would probably just use sleep sacs and a hat- with a tighter fitting long john or sleep n' play underneath if it was 60ish degrees. We have a lightweight Patagonia hooded long john top (pictured) that I LOVE because I can pull the hood up to keep Esme's head warm at nights, yet it isn't so bulky that she fights it or has it pull down over her face while she sleeps.
3. We've found the biggest factor in keeping them warm is what is beneath - when they are older, a good camping pad rather than just on the ground does wonders. Pac-n-plays (awesome for containment at night) are off the ground - making then much cooler because of the air flow underneath- good in warm weather but if you are worried about them being cold I would maybe layer a thick blanket on top of the pack-n-play pad but under them.
4. You can test how cold/hot they are by feeling the back of her neck, that is how I usually check throughout the night, cause it will be coldest 3-5am.
5. Don't layer them up too early, they'll sweat, then get really cold. We've made that mistake. Often, when I wake up to pee at 2am, I add a sleep sac or hat before I go back to bed.
6. We recently purchased a tent heater. I cannot comment yet on how successful it is, but will after a few more trips with it!
7. When in doubt, scratch all this and let them climb in the sleeping bag with you. My kids just don't do well sleeping with mom and dad.
Alyssa, you were very helpful to me when deciding what to bring for Ella's first camping trip! I am happy to say that she slept through the night!! It was around 60 degrees at the coldest and I had her in a onesie, long sleeve fleece sleep and play, and 2 sleep sacks. I took your advice and started her off in the onesie, as it was pretty hot still, and then layered throughout the night. I also put the blanket in the pack and play. Thank you for sharing your advice and thoughts. I will definitely go camping with her again!
ReplyDeleteAs an addition, this weekend I am bringing a down throw blanket to try with Ezzie. I have no hope that she'll stay under it but now that she is 16 months, I figure it is worth a try.
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