RVing with a Baby or Toddler

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RVing is an adventurous activity for the entire family, and it is known to strengthen family bonds and to create lasting memories. This is the reason many parents introduce RVing to their children from a young age. Like any other activity, RVing with a baby, unlike RVing with kids, requires one to be prepared and have patience with the baby on board. In this article, you will get advice on RVing with babies and other RVing tips about baby proofing your rig before embarking on your adventure.

What you need to know about RVing with a baby on board

When you have a baby on board, like any vehicle, you should exercise exceptional care. Infants require additional attention when traveling in an RV. If you have a towable RV, you will not be required to change the car seat options for the tow vehicle.

However, you have to be careful if you are using a motorhome. If you are using a motorhome, all the guidelines followed to secure a child in an RV seat should be followed. The following are some of the rules to follow when you want to secure a child’s seat in a motorhome:

Ensure the seat is bolted to the chassis and not to the RV’s interior
Ensure the car seat is made for the position it is attached to
Ensure there are no loose objects that can harm the baby
The car seat must not be in the front seat of the motorhome
You may be required to invest in a different car set from your motorhome. For further details, you should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and restrictions of your car seat

Baby proofing your RV

RVs are small enough without an onboard nursery. However, you need to secure an area in your RV where the child can sleep and explore comfortably when they are in the RVing adventure. Fortunately, many parents give their babies enough room, and most of the RV cabins have sufficient room to accommodate a baby.

The parent should look for a crib which is suitable for their RV’s interior. Luckily, there are many available cribs specially designed for families on a journey. Before buying the crib, check the dimensions and measurements to ensure it will fit in your RV. Also, you should install a softer carpet in the RV to cushion your baby from injuries when they start to crawl and walk. You should also block all the areas you don’t wish your baby to access like the back of the room in a toy hauler.

Many RVs, however, are installed with baby proofing materials before they are released to the market. Drawers, fold-outs, and items have to be secure when you are RVing. They are often fitted with soft sides, security latches, and other features that contribute to the overall safety of your baby. Nonetheless, you should thoroughly inspect the cabin to find out if there are any dangerous areas. This is vital if you have a curious child that can walk to any place in your RV. If you identify any harmful areas, use traditional baby proofing methods to seal them.

Plan for the worst while expecting the best

It is paramount to prepare carefully whenever you are planning for an RVing adventure. Having a baby on the trip introduces a new level of caution. Prepare a list of all the items that your baby may need, including diapers, sheets, bottles, formula, and other things you can think of. It’s also important to detail your exact route and includes nearby hospitals and pediatricians in case you need emergency medical attention. You should also carry current relevant medical information for everyone in the RVing activity should someone require quick access to them.

When RVing with a toddler or a baby, there is a high chance you will pull over severally in your journey. Therefore, follow known routes and not back roads. Rving with a baby will also increase the time taken on your trip. You should be prepared for that too. If you expect such shortcomings, you will be ready for any delays along the journey. Generally, being flexible is key when traveling with children.

Pros of RVing with babies

It is a great way to create memories with your children. Even if they don’t remember the entire adventure, there will be pictures.
Experience is the biggest advantage of RVing with a baby. For young adventurers, RVing opens up a vast range of possibilities. Although RVing is with small kids is not easy, once you prepare adequately and understand the whole process you can RV with a newborn baby regardless of the destination.
RVing is effective when you have a family across the country. It makes it easy when you are visiting them to take breaks, making the long trip easier and cheaper. Also, the family gets to spend time with the baby.
It is an affordable option for families that need to travel and tour North American all year round.

Cons of Rving with babies

The biggest disadvantage involved in RVing with babies is the cost involved in preparing the RV. It may require you to renovate the inside of the RV for comfort or invest in a larger Rv model. Usually, RVs have limited space. Therefore, storing a stroller, adding a crib, and securing enough space for the baby’s items can be challenging.
RVing with a baby makes it difficult to have your time alone. On the other hand, it is also not easy to find someone you can trust with your baby during the trip.
If your baby gets sick, and they need medical attention, and this can be costly depending on the medical issue. Before starting the journey, check how your medical insurance works while traveling to ensure you are adequately covered
You may be required to invest in a bigger RV if the current one is too small to accommodate a child and everything associated with RVing with a baby.
Take time to study your RV’s capability and evaluate what it can and can’t accommodate. After this step, you can decide whether to buy a larger RV or make changes to the rig’s interior to offer more comfort for you and the baby. Consider an RV with a bunkhouse like the ones I wrote about.