How do I Feed Baby While Camping?

If you're still breastfeeding baby, you'll have no problem feeding your baby while camping.  However, if you're bottle feeding baby or if your baby just started solids, you'll have to give your child's meals a little more thought.  However, by doing some prep work ahead of time and keeping meals simple for babies on solids, feeding baby while camping isn't as tough as one might imagine.

How do I bottle feeding baby when camping?

Make your life easy.  Pre-package everything and resolve to wash all items when you return home.  It will be much easier for a 1 or 2 night outing.   If you’re able to use disposable bags, please do so to minimize washing of bottles and nipples. 

To pre-package formula. I have several 3-ounce wide mouth, leakproof travel containers.  With the help of a small funnel I measure out formula into the travel container, per bottle.  For example, I will place 3 scoops of formula into one travel container for one 6-ounce bottle.  This way I do not have to be concerned with contaminating a canister of formula.  The small amount of work it takes to prepare is well worth it in the campground.  If your youngster still takes an overnight feeding, you only need to bring the bottle with water, the nipple and pre-measured formula into the tent.  Also, no worries if your hands are clean enough! 

If you baby needs a warm bottle, bring along a thermos which you can fill with water at the right temperature.  This will enable you to keep water warm for long periods of time so that you don’t have to turn on the stove every time you need to prepare a bottle for baby.

My baby just started eating solids, what’s the best way to feed baby while camping?

If your child is happy eating packaged baby food, that will be your easiest option. If you baby is used to home-cooked baby food, you might consider feeding baby some easy to mash foods like sweet potato, carrots, avocado, banana and oatmeal.  Most importantly, you’ll find that bringing along a portable high chair that can be strapped to the picnic table or a stroller that you can feed baby in is absolutely essential. 

Antibacterial wipes can also be mom’s best friend when camping.  Use it on baby’s hands, your hands, dishes and utensils.

Do you have a question about camping with kids that our savvy parents can help answer? 

Ask us your questions

Related:

• Camping for the First Time with Baby/Young kids
• What is  the best age to start camping with kid?

• What makes a campsite kid-friendly?
• How to I book a campground?
• How can I help my baby sleep while camping?
• How do you keep kids from getting too cold or too hot?
• What are good toys to bring camping?
• What are important safety rules I should teach my child about camping?
• Camping Packing List and Gear Recommendations for Families
• Kid-friendly Camping Recipes

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Jessica Nugent (aka fani*fam) is the mom of a a one year old boy and loves outdoor adventures.  They are known for braving the outdoors any season of the year.  LiLing Pang (TravelPangs) is co-founder and contributing author on Trekaroo - - a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA