First time to KC with babies, advice

[Tarmine]

other than "don't take them"

 

Me and hubby are taking our 1yo and 2.5yo to KC, any advice with regards to surviving with them? We're in emperors fields.

 

Many Thanks

[ramragon]

We've been taking my daughter since she was 6 months old and she's loved every time. It's just a different sort of festival when you have small children with you.

We decided early on that it wasn't going to be possible to catch everyone we wanted to see so we compromised and made sure we were out too late for her. We rigidly stuck to her feeding routine and made sure we were at the tent at times she's normally eat.

We also bought her some children's ear defenders which I'm sure you'll find on amazon or other sites to shield her from some of the noise, she enjoyed wearing them and loads of kids at the festival were wearing them as well. We also made sure we didn't go too close to the stages to protect her ears.

Other things we do is maybes take turns going to see bands if they're playing later whilst the other went back to the tent with her. But that's entirely up to you and doesn't make for the best family experience at times.

All in all we have fun, the kids love it and that's what going is all about.

Anything specific you wanna know just ask

[Lowther Calling]

We took 10 month old twins and a 5 year old last year, and the 5 year old has been doing festivals since he was 8 weeks old

 

Emperors fields is a good start, a bit more room, and not as rowdy!

 

A big tent is a must, one that you can at least stand up in!

 

Travel cots are amazing, if you don't have one try and borrow one.

 

Taking a large plastic storage box for sterilising anything milk based, and fire some milton tablets in with it.

 

And you can use your buggy for smuggling booze in to the arena

[Tarmine]

haha I dont dare even drink and camp with the children!

 

am I destined to have early morning wakeups and late night sleeps and next to no naps in the day?

 

Luckily we have a 6 man tent with an area in the centre to stand up, we have a travel cot for our 1 year old and the toddler will have to share a "room" with daddy as he will go walkabout otherwise!

 

What about sleep wear? is PJ's and then lots of blankets for layers best instead of a traditional type sleeping bag for the children?

[ramragon]

We found that ours felt more at home on the airbed with 1 of us. We just put a fitted sheet on the airbed, had a pillow and duvet on it. Was more like an adventure for her with her usual duvet and pillow for company !

[Lowther Calling]

haha I dont dare even drink and camp with the children!

 

am I destined to have early morning wakeups and late night sleeps and next to no naps in the day?

 

Luckily we have a 6 man tent with an area in the centre to stand up, we have a travel cot for our 1 year old and the toddler will have to share a "room" with daddy as he will go walkabout otherwise!

 

What about sleep wear? is PJ's and then lots of blankets for layers best instead of a traditional type sleeping bag for the children?

 

With early starts there is entertainment on for kids from about 6:30 in Chai Wallah tent.  Usally a movie first, then entertainers, the ones last year were really good!

 

Peltor KIds ear muffs are brilliant, ours will sleep with them on.

 

Last year we just had them sleep in winter all in one coats.

[Tarmine]

great I'll get shopping around for a couple more camping mats and airbed. Ordered the ear defenders too now.

[ramragon]

Mine wears the headphones all the time ! I think at times she thinks they're a fashion accessory !

We made a game of them when we first got them to get her used to them by putting them on her when we vacuumed and used the washing machine round the house. Don't let the festival be the first time they wear them or you'll struggle to keep em on.

[halfpint]

Remember to take their clothes.....last year a guy came into the Oxfam tent looking for kids clothes as he had forgotten to pack them!

[ramragon]

Haha yeah thatd help !