by Carrie Hike and Elizabeth Bloomquist
Surviving Postpartum: Tips for bringing your baby to a music festival.
Some festivals are definitely more family friendly than others. We are lucky in Asheville to have LEAF, one of the most family friendly festivals around, and also to be within driving distance to many others. However, even festivals and shows that are not necessarily marketed to families can be family friendly with the right planning on your part.
Here are 8 tips to successfully rock out with your baby.
Pack All the Things
- Sunhat and warm hat- even in the summer, sometimes mountain nights are chilly
- Sunscreen (we like this toxin free one from beauty counter)
- Ear protection (We like Baby Banz. You can get them at the Littlest Birds in Asheville.)
- Water Bottles
- Food/snacks/breastmilk/formula/baby food pouches
- Picnic Blankets (We like the ones with the waterproof backing.)
- Camp Chairs
- Diapers/wipes/changing pad
- Hand Sanitizer (we like Thieves essential oil hand sanitizer)
- Stroller or Wagon
- Soft Baby Carrier, like an Ergo or a Tula.
- Layers and extra clothes for you and baby
- Rain Gear- umbrellas, poncho, or rain jackets.
- Security Bracelet with your name and cell phone number for your toddlers and older children, or simply write your cell phone number on their arm in case they wander off or get separated.
Have A Plan, But Be Flexible.
Know Your Baby!
Set Up Your Space
Bring a Stroller and a Baby Carrier
It can be hard to navigate a stroller around a crowded festival, but you can use it to carry your gear, set up your home base, and then leave it with your picnic blanket while you walk around to check out other stages or get closer to stage. You can also put some battery powered fairy lights on your stroller to help keep it visible to partying festival goers, and make it easy to find for your friends and family.