Camping With A Baby
An RV is an investment in a new lifestyle, one that offers you more freedom to travel and see the country while spending quality time with your family. Whether you only travel occasionally or you’re a full-time RVer, you’ll find joy and relaxation every time you travel in your RV. If you’ve got a new addition to the family, this can complicate what once seemed simple. A baby has very specific needs that will change how you live and travel in your RV. If you’re not sure how to successfully camp with your baby, never fear! This guide by The Outpost RV has been prepared specifically to help you with the unique challenges presented when camping with a baby. We’re located in Middlebury, Indiana, so if you have any further questions about RV life, stop on by to chat with us!
Medical Check-Ups
Your top priority when considering whether to travel with your baby is to make sure she is up to date on all her shots and has undergone a thorough medical check-up with her pediatrician. It can be beneficial to have a pediatrician in your home state to whom you regularly travel for your baby’s frequent check-ups and immunizations, as these will be numerous within the first few years of your baby’s life. You may have to shorten the durations and distances of your trips when you have a new baby to ensure that you can make all of these appointments, but it’s important that they not be put off. Ask your pediatrician about your travel plans and whether he or she thinks that your baby is healthy enough for travel.
You will also want to have a plan in case your baby falls ill while you’re on the road, regardless of whether you’re a weekend camper or a full-timer. A sick infant will likely necessitate a trip to the ER which can be expensive. Review your insurance plan to see what the coverage is like for your infant when she is out of state.
Babyproofing Your Camper
The interior of your trailer or RV will present some dangers to your baby if left the way it is. Just like you baby-proofed your residential home or apartment, so will you need to babyproof your camper. The top priority is ensuring that your baby has somewhere secure and quiet to sleep. When the vehicle is in motion, your baby should be strapped into a car seat, never left in a crib or playpen. Once your baby begins to crawl and walk, you’ll have to put child-proof locks on cabinets, covers over outlets and remove choking hazards and poisonous chemicals to high cabinets far out of his reach.
What To Pack
You’ll have many supplies to pack for your baby, as you’re no doubt aware. On an RV, you have much less storage space and smaller living quarters, so you’ll have to prioritize what’s most important and leave many larger toys and items at home. Certain large items will be necessary, however, like strollers and playpens. Get collapsible models of these that you can stow out of the way when they’re not in use. You can use some items to store others, like stashing your baby’s toys in their tub when it’s not being used. Diapers take up a great deal of space, so to conserve it, you might switch to reusable cloth diapers, provided you have a way to clean them on a regular basis. Your baby will need clothing for all temperature and weather conditions and will need more clothes than you do because of how dirty they are likely to get, so this will be harder to condense. You will want to plan your packing carefully and take what’s necessary without adding too much clutter to your RV.
Further Considerations
While your newborn won’t take up much space on your camper, she will need more and more of her own space as she grows, so bear this in mind, particularly if you have yet to purchase an RV or you’re looking to upgrade to a larger one for your growing family. Also, you will spend a significant portion of your time with your baby on an RV and be very limited for care options on the road, as you won’t have neighbors, family or friends close to hand and finding a reliable babysitter in a strange city will be a challenge. You and your partner will have to trade off responsibilities or else arrange all your plans so that your baby can come with you.
Traveling with your baby can be a challenge, but also very rewarding if you take the time to prepare for it. If you’re still searching for a new RV for your whole family, visit our showroom in Middlebury today. We carry a huge selection of new and used RVs, campers and trailers in many styles by all the top brands. The Outpost RV also proudly serves the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan.