Babies, especially 3-month-old babies, need regular feeding, lots of sleep, warmth, and rest, so taking them camping might just seem too stressful for parents. But this can be a wonderful family vacation as long as you plan well, minimize any risks, and ensure your baby stays happy and healthy all through the camping trip.
So during this camping trip, you’ll need to take care of your baby, your other kids, and yourself. And this is no small feat. But to do all this and still have a fun camping experience, you’ll need to follow these 10 best tips to know when camping with a 3-month-old in 2025.
10 Tips for Camping with a 3-Month-Old
1. Choose a Baby-Friendly Campground
If you’re camping with a baby, your priority should be to choose a comfortable campground that won’t add to your stress. Whichever campground you choose, it should be family or baby-friendly. So, it should come with the necessary amenities like bathrooms, hot showers, and baby changing stations to make your stay comfortable.
Apart from choosing a campground, you’ll also need to book a campsite where your baby will be able to sleep comfortably without too much noise. So it’s best to choose a campsite that’s either at the edge of the campground or away from bathrooms and communal spots.
2. Pack Baby Camping Essentials
When packing for a camping trip with a 3-month-old baby, you’ll need to pack baby camping essentials that are lightweight, portable, and easy to pack. Gear that is collapsible and easy to set up is top priority. These include travel cots, high chairs, foldable changing mats, and a pushchair. The baby camping essentials you’ll need are:
- Baby sleeping bag or swaddle blankets
- Waterproof mattress protector
- White noise machine
- Baby monitor
- Breastfeeding cover
- Pre-sterilized bottles
- Formula
- Bottle warmer
- Compact stove or kettle
- Burp cloths
- Bibs
- Cooler with ice packs
- Spoon/feeding bowl
- Plenty of diapers
- Pack of baby wipes
- Changing pad
- Diaper rash cream
- Disposable diaper bags / wet bag
- Hand sanitizer
- Layered outfits (onesies, footies, sweaters)
- Warm hat and sun hat
- Baby socks and booties
- Extra clothes
- Sleepwear
- Baby-safe sunscreen
- Baby-friendly insect repellent
- Nasal aspirator/saline drops
- Baby-safe body wash and shampoo
- Soft baby towels and washcloths
- Infant thermometer
- Basic first aid kit
- Baby carrier or sling
- Stroller
- Foldable mat or picnic blanket
- Pop-up sunshade or baby tent
- Compact foldable high chair or booster
3. Dress Baby In Layers
When camping with a 3-month-old baby, you’ll need to dress your baby comfortably so they’ll be okay but not overheated. And if you’re camping in areas with unpredictable weather, you’ll need to pack both lightweight and warmer clothes.
You’ll need breathable, thick cotton onesies, muslin sleep sacks, and quick-drying clothes. With these, you can dress your baby in layers, and when the weather gets warm, like when they’re sleeping, it will be easy to peel a layer off until they’re comfortable.
4. Plan for Frequent Feedings
If you’re camping with a 3-month-old, just be prepared to feed your baby either breastfeed or bottle feed at almost every time of the day. This will keep the baby well fed and relaxed, which in turn also saves you and your partner a whole lot of stress.
So when you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby, you’ll need to make sure you’re comfortable and sometimes in a private area. You’ll also need to pack everything you’ll need for the feeding, like a light shawl, water bottle, formula, dry container, and thermal flask in a small baby bag, so it will be easier for you.
5. Bring a Comfortable Baby Carrier
Sometimes when camping with a 3-month-old baby, you’ll need to do something with your hands, but at the same time, you can’t leave your baby alone. And in these moments, you’ll appreciate the use of a baby carrier.
So get carriers that a breathable and supportive, with padded shoulder straps and lumbar supports. These types of carrier’s like Ergobaby Omni Breeze and BabyBjörn Carrier One Air are good for both you and your baby. You can also choose a carrier with a built-in sunshade that will protect your baby from the wind and sun.
6. Protect Baby from Bugs and Sun
Since you’re camping with a 3-month-old baby, you’ll need to always keep your baby safe from the sun and bugs. To do this, you can decide to book a campsite where sunshades like umbrellas, gazebos, or awnings are allowed. You’ll also need to make sure there’s enough ventilation in your tent so then can be cool and comfortable.
To protect your baby from bugs and tiny insects, especially mosquitoes, you’ll need to get a baby-safe insect repellent. You’ll also need to make sure your tent is always zipped, and you can add a mesh net to your baby stroller and crib. This way, you’re baby will remain protected and comfortable without getting sunburned or bitten by bugs.
7. Bring Baby’s Favorite Comfort Items
Most times during a camping trip with a baby, you’ll need to bring a few familiar comfort items just so they can feel safe and settled. You can bring your baby’s favorite toy, pacifier, or blanket; this will be a lifesaver on those days when they’re just tired, fussy, or crying.
You’ll also need to bring a lot of soft, easy-to-clean toys when camping with a 3-month-old baby. These toys can be a source of distraction, so you can get something done while watching them. While packing these comfort items, you’ll need to prioritize those toys that are your baby’s favorite and set them up on the baby travel cot.
8. Don’t Camp Too Far Off-Grid
For safety reasons, you should never camp in the wild with a 3-month-old baby. You should always pick a campsite that’s close to your home, so you can always leave without having a long, stressful journey.
You’ll also need to make sure your campsite has good cell reception, WiFi, and GPS access. This will help you if you need to call for advice, help, or just stay in touch with your family. You can also use campsite apps like Siteseeker to find spots close to you that are comfortable and baby-friendly, so you don’t end up in a campsite too far off the grid.
9. Have a Backup Exit Plan
When things don’t go exactly the way you planned when camping with a 3-month-old baby, then you’ll be happy you have an exit plan. To have a good exit plan, you’ll need a campsite that is close to your home or a hospital, just in case. You’ll need to know all the routes in and out of the camp, and if you’re car camping, your essentials should always be packed.
You’ll also need to keep essentials like baby gear, food, and clothes organized and easily accessible so that when you need to leave, you won’t find yourself confused. Having all this planned out will save you the stress of what to do if your baby is sick, the weather gets bad, or you’re just feeling too tired.
10. Pack for Yourself Too
When camping with a 3-month-old baby, you’ll find out that you’ve forgotten to pack for yourself, too. But for you to have the energy to feed and take care of your baby, you’ll need enough food, water, and rest.
You’ll also need things like a baby monitor and a soft, small nightlight that will give you freedom to rest but still keep an eye or ear out on your baby, especially at night. And if you’re camping with your partner, you can both schedule breaks for each other, so you’ll both properly rest.
Conclusion
As much as you want to have fun while camping with your baby, you’ll also need to make sure your baby rests more often and pay attention to their temperature. All these will keep them from unnecessary fuss or worse, getting sick, which will cause a whole lot of stress for you.
But you’ll also need to be flexible, patient, and remember to embrace each day as it comes. Your trip might not go as perfectly as you planned, but that’s okay, cos it’s all part of the memories. At least with these tips in this guide for camping with a 3-month-old baby, it will be much easier for you to have a good camping trip.