No matter how big our car is, our camping sleep gear always seems to take up all the space in the car when overlanding and off-road camping as a family. In this post, I give you 3 useful tips for packing lighter with compact sleep gear for the family. Given that our dog and the fridge take up the most room in the trunk, we have learned how to be creative and selective when packing.
This is how empty we manage to keep our trunk when camping with kids. We carry our camping sleep gear in the drawers and on the roof in a box.
1. Think backpacking when deciding on camping sleeping pads and pillows
Aim for compact sleeping pads. If you can sleep on a rock, you're in luck. But if you like a bit more comfort like the rest of us, look for self-inflating options to avoid bulky mattresses and air pumps.
We started out with REI air pads which can be inflated by hand. Time-consuming for overland trips but fairly compact. We added cots for one-stop camping trips, but quickly ditched those (great as guest beds when camping with grandparents and great for camping in one place if you have room).
Now, we bring a self-inflating Exped MegaMat Duo for us and our infant. Not the most compact, but oh sooo comfortable and fits two adults +infant, +dog (the dog seems to think). We bring a small woman's REI self inflating pad for the toddler. It has a rail around it which doesn't entirely stop the toddler from traveling off the mat in her sleep but stops the first attempts. We will get another one of those for the baby. I imagine it holds a baby in place better than a toddler. For pillows: I use a cheap, inflatable pillow and my husband uses a halved foam pillow (I win at compact packing!)
E helping inflate her (almost) self-inflating pad from REI. Next to her is our oh-so-comfy Exped duo which is currently occupied by baby O and I during our camping trips.
2. Ditch the pack'n’play as a camping bed for baby or toddler
Yes, you heard me! I know it seems unthinkable to not bring it for your crawling bean-filled baby. And I admit that we did bring one for our now toddler on many trips until we recently taught her to sleep on a pad (see how we transitioned our toddler from the pack’n’play to a pad in less than 3 days here).
However, I am determined to leave it behind for good for our little one since it allows for the equivalent of an extra-large bag. My alternative: let baby sleep on a pad! Either next to someone on a double mat or on his own little compact mat.
Remember to get a mat with a high R-value since your kiddos won't be raised off of the ground.
Raise the edge with a rolled-up blanket, bags or what else you have to keep both baby and toddler from traveling too far in their sleep (which will happen eventually) Or tug in baby’s mat tightly in between your mats.
So far our little one is a Mama's boy who likes co-sleeping. If he turns out to be a squirmy wormy crawler without me there to hold him down, I will use our collapsible ball pit as a bed or our (permanent loan) PeaPod travel bed (remember to insulate underneath). (UPDATE: My squirmy wormy baby O sleeps on a mat still and does not let any whimsical collapsible ball pit wall stop him).
On our very first camping trip with both kids as infants (E was 4 months, O was 6 weeks) we used the bassinet that came with our stroller. You can get similarly sized travel beds, but I found them all obsolete since they are quickly outgrown and unnecessary for a fairly stationary baby. I thought it was tedious getting baby in and out at night to feed, and it was easier for me to make sure the baby was warm enough by keeping them close to me in bed instead. However, if you have concerns about the safety of co-sleeping, I can definitely recommend these options for the early infant stage.
Keep in mind obvious hazards, such as a space heater if you leave the kids unattended. Use your own judgment - you know how much or little your kids move in their sleep and when they wake up.
E at 4 months on her first camping trip in our Bumbleride bassinet that came with our stroller. No need for night time use but great place to put baby while setting up and packing down.
E sleeping between us in our 2 person tent on our very first trip with her. We put a blanket in the crack between the two pads to even it out. We used her baby comforter and our sleeping bags in addition to her wool bunting suit.
3. (Molehill) Down Bunting suits instead of baby sleeping bags
Molehill down bunting suit makes the best alternative to a sleeping bag for babies and toddlers in my opinion. They are great because with a 700 goose down fill they keep the little ones warm at night before bedtime and in the morning. Their bodies easily warm up a suit compared to a sleeping bag.
Molehill down bunting suit to the right for an early morning play is my favorite baby sleeping bag alternative. E has been changed into a thermal suit which we use for outdoors. She could also sleep in this one.
These suits are pricey, but bring “peace of mind” as my husband says because you don't have do worry about the bag covering their heads or little ones crawling out of the bags (which our toddler continues to do). They run very big which is great because it gives you prolonged use. Our toddler has been using her size 9 months since she was that age, with rolled-up legs and sleeves. They are also compact and soft. Plus, the Molehill suits have fold-over hands and feet as well as a perfectly fitted hoot that allows the face to stay uncovered when they turn.
Downside: it's a slippery suit which on a slippery pad means toddler on the move in her sleep. Add some friction with a sheet or blanket. Other bunting suits or thermal insulating suits will do as well, just remember a good base layer like Merino wool (lightweight/summer wool) or Capilene which is breathable and wicks moisture away. And ensure the suit is not too stiff or bulky so your little one can move freely.
For warmer temps or co-sleeping babies we use a fleece bunting suit instead. Also, make sure you have another suit or clothes for outdoor play if it's wet or muddy outside. You don't want your little one's sleepsuit to be covered in mud or wet when it's time for night-night.
Baby O camping at age 2 months in a thick wool bottom layer, a fleece bunting suit and next to me under my open sleeping bag (not inside while closed up!!)
Good luck and please share your tips on other ways to pack light for sleep gear.
Please note: I was not paid or compensated to review these products. I truly love them!
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