Cathy Antoniou - babiesforbeginners.com

Pregnancy is a life-changing time that has to be navigated with care. If you're a new mom who loves the great outdoors and camping like I do, I have 7 tips to make sure you stay comfortable and healthy while enjoying your outdoor adventure. Tip One: Bring Comfortable Seating My first tip, and one that I urge you to take very seriously, is to bring more than one comfortable chair with you. Take it from me, someone who once spent a week during pregnancy with only an upright folding chair, that there's nothing worse than not being able to find a comfortable position when your body is already uncomfortable from growing a tiny human. Not only was that frustrating, but it was also a bit unsafe. Frequent rest time is a requirement of pregnancy, especially in the warmer months when swelling can be more of a problem. Bring along a big comfy camp chair. Something with a footrest is even better. You may even consider bringing along a smaller pillow or cushion to help you find a good position. Tip Two: Comfortable Bedding and Pillows Sleeping is already difficult enough during pregnancy, especially in the warmer months. It can be even more challenging while camping. Make sure you pay close attention to your sleeping arrangements and make sure they are comfortable. If you are tent camping, bring along something comfortable to sleep on for the night, like an air mattress or sleeping pad with thicker padding. In addition to your camp bedding, bring some extra pillows to help you get comfortable. And if you don't already have one, now is the time to get that pregnancy body pillow. Tip Three: Comfortable Shoes Are you seeing a pattern developing yet? Comfort is the name of the game here and your feet are on the list. Camping usually requires a fair amount of walking. Along with your flip-flops, be sure to bring along a comfortable pair of walking shoes or Birkenstock Sandals. If you plan on doing any kind of hiking or trail walking, you’ll also want a pair of hiking boots or running shoes with good treads. During pregnancy, your balance is already off, and the last thing you want is to fall and get hurt. Tip Four: Load Up on Snacks & Extra Water Hydration is important during camping, and even more so during pregnancy. Make sure you have access to plenty of clean water and know where to get more if it's not on-site. Bring along plenty of snacks. It is helpful if you have some snacks that are just for you. Granola bars, nuts, fruit, cut vegetables, dried fruit, and trail mix are all good choices. Bring some along with you whenever you leave your campsite, just in case.Tip Five: Camp Somewhere that's Restroom Accessible It's no secret that pregnant women use the restroom more than non-pregnant individuals. Before you set up camp, make sure that you pick a spot that is within comfortable walking distance to the restroom at all hours. If you do need to walk a distance to the washroom during the night, you'll also need a good flashlight or lantern so that you can get there and back safely in the dark. Tip Six: Take Breaks Often It can be hard when you're on vacation to miss any of the fun, but when you're pregnant rest is just as important as capturing the memories. It’s hard work growing a baby, so allow yourself breaks and/or naps when you need them and don't feel guilty or like you're missing out. Camping is the most fun when you're calm and relaxed, so taking the time to plan ahead and get some rest before any activities will help you enjoy them more. Tip Seven: Plan ahead for your health The health of you and your baby is of course the most important thing at this time, so here is a quick list of things to do and items to remember to pack to make sure your health is taken care of: Remember to pack any medication and prenatal vitamins that you needPack extra remedies that you may need for pregnancy symptoms like heartburn medicine or nausea medicinePack extra sunscreen as your skin is likely to be extra sensitive to the sun at this timeMake sure to have the contact details of your doctor in your phoneGrab the details of the nearest hospital to your campsite and have them in your phone as well (in case the internet is not working)Don't forget deet-free bug repellent if it's buggy where you're going.Bring along the usual emergency kit for any bumps, cuts or emergencies. In Conclusion Camping while pregnant is not that much different than camping normally. But, in order for you to be comfortable, you will want to plan ahead and bring along these extra items. Many of these things will already be on your list. Happy camping!