Camping with your Baby? - Choosing a location

So getting outdoors used to be one your favorite pass times. But now shouldering your backpack has been replaced by shouldering your baby carrier. Never fear! Getting back outdoors and introducing your baby to it is not as complicated as you might think. You might not be the minimalist packer that you once were, but just add a few things to your packing list and you’ll be back outside.

Since camping season is getting close, over the coming weekw we will be posting ideas for camping with your baby under the following categories:

• Choosing Location
• Dressing Baby
• Around Camp
• Sleeping
• Feeding
• Packing
• Tips and Tricks

Please feel free to add your own comments and experiences!

Choosing Locations

Start off choosing a familiar campsite not too far from home. Trying a practice trip in your back yard lets your baby get used to sleeping in a tent while allowing you to make sure your trip list is complete. As well, aim for a trip in the spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. It is easier to add clothing layers then to try to cool down your baby.

Baby's Sleep, Mother's Mood

I recently ran across an article in the ScienceDaily (Sep. 5, 2008)

Here is an excerpt from the article and the link to read the full article

"Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with an elevated risk for depression in everybody, at all stages of life, but in new moms, because of the hormonal changes and the need to recover from the pregnancy and birth, sleep deprivation can really be a problem," says Armitage, a professor of psychiatry at the U-M Medical School. "It can interfere with the social rhythms that are important for keeping the circadian clock in the brain in sync, it can minimize the amount of energy moms have to care for their infants, and it can contribute to the development of depression."