Camping With a Baby in Tofino: What Actually Worked for Me
I’m camping in Tofino with my four-month-old, and I figured I’d write this while it’s still fresh—literally, I’m typing this from the tent while my mum (Marshall’s Mima) just finished boiling his soothers and bottles. Having her here was the best decision I could’ve made. Honestly, the trick to making camping with a baby feel doable? Bring your mum.
It’s been chilly at night—around 10°C—but manageable. And while camping with a baby takes a bit of figuring out, it’s totally possible, and actually pretty great once you find your groove.
How I Kept My Baby Warm at Night
Before bed, I give Marshall a full feed and a clean diaper. Then I layer him up:
Fleece onesie with feet — two-way zipper is a must for changes.
A fleece sweater overtop.
A sleep sack — not too bulky, just enough to keep him cozy.
Wool-lined fleece mitts I picked up for $4 at a shop in town. Total lifesaver. He sucks his hands to settle, and the first night I made the mistake of using cotton mitts. They got soaked and he got cold. These ones stayed warm even when wet.
A soft hat, and of course, his soother.
Where He Slept
I used the Brica Fold N’ Go bassinet, which fits perfectly in my tent. I placed solid things—like a water bottle and my mum’s leather purse—around the crib to keep it in place and off the tent walls. At night, I’m super careful to keep sleeping bags and loose gear well away from the crib. Dry, safe, simple.
A Few Things That Helped
Bringing my mum. This one’s huge. Having her here meant I could focus on Marshall while she helped with the bottle boiling, bottle-washing, and little things that made everything feel manageable instead of overwhelming.
Having him nap and sleep in the travel crib before the trip. We took him to Big White at 10 days old so he got used to sleeping in the travel crib early. I think this is more important than worrying about practise tent nights in your living room.
Packing extra mitts and hats. I don’t know how I lose so many of these - soothers too!
Skipping loose blankets. I stuck to safe layers I could adjust as the night cooled off.
Keeping expectations low. The first night was a bit chaotic trying to figure out how many layers he needed. But by night two, we’d found our rhythm.
How do I breastfeed while camping?
When it comes to feeding, I mainly breastfeed, but I’ve been topping Marshall up with a bottle before we head into the tent for the night. It seems to help him stretch a bit longer between feeds and cut down on wakeups. I wear breast pads (the disposable kind, but reusable ones work too) to keep my top dry through the night, and I bring a small towel into the tent to lay under him while we feed—mostly to keep my sleeping bag clean and save myself from having to wash all my gear after one letdown.
Would I Do It Again?
In a heartbeat. We are on night four as I wrote this. And plan another four nights at least. We’re headed to the Pacific Rim next. Is it the easiest thing I’ve ever done? No. But it is simple in the best kind of way. Ocean air, a happy baby, and quiet moments cuddling—those are the kinds of memories I’ll actually hang on to. If you’re wondering how to camp with a baby: keep them warm, pack smart, and if you can, bring your partner, a good friend or a grandparent.
