How to Get Your Baby to Fall Asleep in a Tent

Getting a baby to fall asleep in an unfamiliar environment such as a tent or camper can be difficult - but it's not impossible! You just need to plan ahead and be patient.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Slings
• Baby Blankets
• Baby Bottle/food Warmers
• Baby Monitors
• Bassinets
• Sleeping Bags
• Tents

1. Bring a portable crib or bassinet if your baby sleeps in a crib at home. Bring your baby's blankets - the familiar feel and smell will help him or her get to sleep.

2. Your baby can share your sleeping bag(s) if your baby sleeps with you; if there are two parents present, zip the bags together, and make sure the baby's head is clear and unobstructed. Dress your baby more lightly if he or she will be sharing your body heat.

3. Dress your baby in layers before putting him or her down for the night, so you can easily adjust for warmth if necessary.

4. Duplicate your baby's home sleeping environment and routine as much as possible. If you usually sing lullabies or tell a story, try to do this in the tent, too.

5. Nurse him to sleep, if you breastfeed, your baby will probably willingly go down after a long day in the fresh air. If you bottle-feed, a warm bottle before bed may have a similar effect.

6. Wear your sling, your baby may fall asleep in it - when you are ready, just slip the sling off and lay him or her down (still inside it) in the sleeping area. Make sure the baby's face is uncovered.

7. Try to create some "white noise" in a noisy camping area - static from a radio at low volume works well.

Tips & Warnings

• If it is cold in the tent, baby socks can double as mittens. You may also want your baby to sleep in a hat, if he or she is sleeping alone.
• Set up a battery-operated baby monitor so that you don't have to go to sleep at the same time as your baby.
• Glow-in-the-dark or reflective strips inside your tent will serve as a night-light during camping trips and will help you to see in the event that you have to get up in the night to care for your baby.
• Keep your baby warm at night, but don't overdress your baby. Overheating can be just as dangerous as the cold.
• The rustle of sleeping bags can wake a light sleeper - add a couple of soft, light blankets to muffle the sound.

[octoberveil]

on 9/8/2007 SAFETY WARNING: The author reccomends that you wear baby down in a sling until he's asleep then remove the sling to lay down baby while he's still in it. THIS IS DANGEROUS! Even the youngest baby can move around enough to become tangled in a carrier and be choked or smothered. Please, always remove baby from a carrier before laying him down.