Okay, I haven’t actually camped with my kids yet (I’ve been to ‘summer camp’ type camp, in cabins, but not out-in-the-woods camp). But I was a camped kid, as was my younger brother. Lemme see what I can recall…
Does the backpack have a ‘kickstand’? We got one of those plastic ‘catch the food’ bibs for Gabe and fed him in the backpack, with it open in ‘stand’ position. He was about 8 1/2 months old. Hook a leg through the stand, though - they aren’t stable enough completely on their own, but if you are used to using a high chair, this is easier than eating with the kid on your lap. (If you regularly eat with the kid on your lap, you’ll not need to do this.)
We used a travel yard (pack-n-play) for summer camp - very very useful for restraining explorative kid while not in a safe zone. But they’re quite a big thing to haul around if you are packing out to your campsite. Also probably too big for the tent. You can even get bug mesh covers for them, so they are a bug-free zone, too.
Bug spray is a must. First aid kit is a must. Include antihystamines in the kit (for bug bites and other unexpected allergies). Some kids are yummy to bugs. Include instant ice pack, too.
RE: the mattress, I’d actually go for something like a … dang, can’t remember the name of it, but the thin-but-inflatable sleep pads, and one of the stiffer types of waterproof mat (flannel on one or both sides) instead of a sheet. Does your son ever nap on the floor? If so, he’ll sleep fine on a thinner mat, as long as it isn’t lumpy. I’d be more concerned that the air mattress would not be firm enough, leading to more of a SIDS issue than a flat mat would.
I’d definitely suggest at least napping once or twice with the baby before you decide about cosleeping during camping - it may not be HIM that suffers. Kids who are used to having full range of the crib may or may not be happy about having YOU there. You may find yourself kicked a lot. Often in the head.
The risks of rolling over on your kid are influenced by several factors. In this case your most probable concerns are alcohol (or other sedatives) if you drink while camping (some do, some don’t), and exhaustion or sleep deprivation. The best study on the subject (specifying specific risks) that I’ve found is this one from the Britsh Medical Journal. Also, if one of you is a snorer, there’s a chance that indicates sleep apnea, which can contribute to the difficulty waking problem (just another form of sleep deprivation).
The reason for having him sleep between you is so that he doesn’t roll up against the tent wall and suffocate or rebreathe his own CO2. I’ve had good luck with having my son sleep with his head on my arm (he sleeps on his side, facing me, head on my upper arm, my arm loops down and curves around his back - I’m on my back in that position, BTW). This makes me very aware of if epeepunk rolls too close or drops an arm over our son. If you are used to this, it is easy to sleep, if you aren’t, it may make you wake up all night long. There’s an alternative but I don’t know if it is backpackable - it is a kind of cosleeping infant bed that fits in your bed, in between you - it has firm walls along the upper sides and top, so you’d really notice (OUCH) if you rolled onto it. It looks pretty lightweight. Here’s one version. Not cheap, but might be worth it. I’d be prone to skipping the sleeping bags entirely, myself - Flannel sheets, maybe? Is it going to be cold at night?
What else… I agree with not worrying about the baths - bring corn starch and baby wipes. And the Aveeno (oatmeal) waterless baby wash (nonsmelly, too!). Love that stuff - even good for washing their hair without water.
I think that’s all I can remember. One last thing: Have fun! Winging it was a big part of our camping trips as a kid. Aside from the times I didn’t get bug spray on and ended up swollen up from bug bites, I usually had a decent time, and often a great time.
