Mom says her baby sleeps better at music festivals than at home

By Kate Pounds via SWNS

A festival-loving mom says her baby got better sleep at Glastonbury music festival than at home thanks to white noise from the generator.

Miranda Fox, 29, and her husband, Zac, 32, expected to come home shattered when they took their firstborn Woody, then nine months old, on their annual trip to Glastonbury Festival last year.

But the parents were delighted to return rejuvenated from their five nights camping after young Woody got the best shut-eye ever.

Sound from the festival's massive generators acted like white noise, they said - lulling their little one to sleep and stopping him from being roused by the party hubbub.

Miranda, a boxing coach, from Notting Hill, London, said: "It really made it for us - leaving Glastonbury well rested is unheard of, and we actually felt rejuvenated.

"He slept better than at home - that was so much better than we expected.

"I was really worried about the noise, but the generator was like white noise and really helped him sleep.

"He'd sleep while we were out until about midnight, then until six or seven in the tent.

"I also think him lying next to us and not in his cot helped.

"He loved it and had the best time ever - he's a proper camping baby.

"He loved the music and everything being so new - he was totally mind blown by it all."

Miranda has been to Glastonbury Festival for the last eight years, and Zac, a filmmaker, for the last 13.

Before having Woody, party-loving Miranda went to four weekend and two-day festivals a year.

So, the couple wanted to introduce Woody to the festival scene and packed up the car for his first Glasto experience last June.

They went for five nights - Wednesday to Monday - because there was so much going on to take with Woody along to and claim it gave him time to settle in.

Not only did Woody have chilled-out nights, but Miranda and Zac got to enjoy headline events by positioning themselves on the outskirts of the tents and taking turns to go nearer the front.

Miranda's top tip is to let go of your baby's routine and wing it to get the best out of the festival experience.

And she suggests taking more than one mode of baby transport.

The couple took a trailer to move all their kit from the car, then filled it with blankets and cushions to make a portable den for Woody.

They popped fairy lights on their wagon so people could see it in the dark.

Other tips included investing in baby ear defenders that tie under the chin, taking your own stove and kettle so you can get a coffee at the tent when baby wakes up, and having quick and easy food to hand like pouches of baby food and porridge pots.

Rather than carrying a travel cot, they popped Woody in a snowsuit to keep warm and snuggled him on a sheep-skin rug with blankets beside their airbed.

Miranda said: "Dropping the routine 100 percent made the difference for us - I'd have been so stressed otherwise.

"You just have to let go of it all - bedtime, nap time, mealtimes.

"He slept when he slept and ate when he ate.

"Babies are really adaptable.

"You do have to be really prepared though - you need to be able to grab a coffee and some food when baby wakes.

"It is a different vibe with a baby, especially if you're a mosh-pit type, but it's amazing."

Miranda said Glastonbury is the best for families, with dedicated areas and activities like crafting, puppet shows, soft play, and music classes.

They camped in a family area, which was gated and had 24/7 wardens.

She said: "It's magic, like kid heaven.

"It's the most family-friendly event.

"And if you forget something you can buy anything there."

The family is going to Wilderness for a day this year because they're moving house, but plan to return to Glastonbury next year.

"I love those little t-shirts for kids which give you a number to call if they get lost - I'm defo getting one for Woody," she said.

Miranda's top tips to get the best out of a festival with your baby:

• Let go - don't stress the food, sleep, or any other routine, and just enjoy the moment with your little one.
• Ear defenders - these are a must to protect their hearing, and get the ones that tie under the chin so you're not constantly putting them back on.
• Take different kinds of transport - a pushchair/trailer for them to sleep in, and a sling for short jaunts or so they can have a boogie with you.
• Be a bit more self-sufficient - make sure you have food in your tent, and stuff to make tea/coffee for yourselves.
• Make it a holiday - go for a few nights to settle in and make carry all that kit worth while.
• Be prepared to shake it up a bit - it's a different experience but just as much fun, and you can make the most of amazing family facilities.
• Don't over plan - there are always shops where you can get essentials if you forget or can't carry it all.