When you bring a little person into your life it’s easy for parents to think that many of the activities they used to enjoy are off-limits. But the truth is that with some pre-planning and a little bit of advice you can do anything with your baby, even hiking. We’ve put together our best tips and advice for parents who want to baby carry on their next hike, to get you back on the trails!
Contents
Get The Right Baby Carrier
The first step to having a successful hike with your baby is to get the right carrier. A good baby carrier really does make all the difference to both you and your little one.
It’s a good idea to read lots of reviews and shop around, particularly for baby carriers that are specifically designed for hiking parents. It’s a good idea to get a carrier that can be worn both front and back as both configurations are suited for babies at different stages of development.
Make Sure Everyone Is Used To The Carrier
Even if you have the best baby carrier on the market your experience isn’t going to be any good unless both you and your bubba are used to using the baby carrier. The best way to get used to the baby carrier is simple practice. Take a few walks close to home wearing the carrier with the baby. Also, make sure to practice taking the carrier on and off so you can do it easily on the trail.
Start Close To Home
Hiking is absolutely an activity that parents and babies can do together, but it’s important to ramp up to hikes you might have done before having children.
When you’re baby carrying it’s a good idea to start on a trail that’s close to home. If you have to drive a long way just to start the walk you’ll find that both parent and baby will tire out pretty quick.
When you start close to home it’s easy to get to the trail and get home when you’re done.
Try A Dry Run/Do Trail Research
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Know Your Own Limits
Carrying a baby on a hike can be tiring, and it’s important to know your own capabilities in terms of carrying your baby. Don’t make the mistake of embarking on a long and exhausting hike with no options to turn back or cut the hike short if you aren’t prepared. It’s always better to start with smaller hikes to build up your strength and resilience to the changed conditions of hiking while baby carrying.
Consider Timing
Timing is so important when it comes to hiking with a baby. You want to make sure that you plan your hike around your child’s schedule, leaving early in the morning and trying to make it home before the trip becomes too overwhelming.
You’ll also need to have a good idea about when your baby feeds, and have plans on how and where you’re going to feed them. If you’re breastfeeding this might be as simple as wearing an appropriate feeding-friendly top, otherwise you’ll need to bring bottles or other foods that will nourish your baby.
Have Plans For Waste
Babies make waste, and no baby is going to be satisfied in even the comfiest baby carrier if they’re sitting in a dirty nappy. You need to make sure that you don’t just bring enough nappy changes, baby wipes and creams, but also a suitable way to carry the dirty nappies in a way that doesn’t stink up your entire pack. We’d recommend thick plastic bags that can be sealed, like heavy-duty sandwich bags with a push lock.
Be Temperature Smart
There are two sides to this. The first is that you need to make sure your baby is suitable dressed for the hike. In cooler climates your baby should be rugged up but still comfortable in their carrier. Remember, as they aren’t moving as much as you are, they need to be wearing more warm clothes. For you being temperature smart means you’ll need to adjust your clothing to adapt to the baby carrier. Wearing your baby can make you warmer than usual, so don’t rug up too much or you’ll over-sweat. You also need to make sure your hiking gear offers enough ease of movement once the carrier is on top.
Now that you know a bit more about baby carrying and hiking, are you feeling more confident about getting back on the trails?
Oceana Setaysha is a hiking-lover, geocacher and outdoors fanatic who loves nothing more than a long walk on a cool day, sleeping in a dome tent under the stars, and cooking on an open fire.
She lives in Darwin within Australia’s famous Northern Territory and is always on the lookout for new adventures, new walking trails, and new geocaches.
She moves around Australia a bit using her photography skills which you can check out on her website http://oceanasetaysha.com/
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I love the idea of bringing the baby along on a hike! These are excellent tips to help get acclimated to the new setup and to avoid some unpleasant pitfalls (like smelly diapers!) that could easily make a family expedition go south. I also wouldn’t have even thought about the temperature changes so thanks for the great advice and hiking inspiration!
When everyone talks about limitations and how things become restricted with babies, this post is liberating. I am sure a number of mums would be inspired to do hiking with kids. I completely agree that its important to prepare and act wisely, know ones limits. Also, the reminder to think about the waste management came at the right time.
I’m always encouraging my friends with kids to keep on adventuring and this offers some great info to help them feel prepared. I like the tip about a hike with an escape plan, then there are no regrets to something ambitious or feeling bad if you need to turn around. Also I like the long-term planning of a carrier that can evolve as the kid grows up, helping promote hiking for a lifetime of adventure as family!
This is such great information! My sister has been saying she wants a baby carrier for hiking, sounds like a lot of thought needs to go into this. I think timing is vital, if the timing is off everyone will be miserable. I also did not think about the baby making you warmer when hiking. I will pass this information on for sure!
I vouch for these backpacks as they have allowed me to travel far and wide with a little one in tow. They gave me freedom while offering some comfort to the little one. I agree with most of the advice that you have shared – particularly about knowing your limits. It is best to take things as they come rather than have a target to reach. It just makes life a lot simpler
Hiking with baby is really tough as to walk with delicate baby on tough steps. As hikes are always irregular and can’t be predicted in advance, therefore it is necessary to take precautions while traveling with baby. Taking a proper carrier to carry baby is highly essential and also being used to it. Choosing nearby location is also a good idea.
I read this at quite the opportune moment. We are planning to have kids this year (finger crossed) and love hiking. I’d love to find out more about your specific recommendations for carriers. Also is there an age where they are too young to take hiking? We can’t wait to complete our family and start some hiking/camping adventures. I’ve bookmarked this article and will come back to it hopefully within the year ….if you know what I mean 🙂
We loved using a backpack carrier when our kids were little. They’re great for hiking! It made the trips so much more enjoyable. Removing layers was easy because ours had the stand so we could sit it down without it toppling over.
Already got my baby carrier for my second child and cant wait to hit the trails. But researching the right trail is vital as I wouldnt climb the Alps or Everest with a baby. He he. But seriously, I find long but flat trails a lot more enjoyable with a baby than short up and down trails. End result is a great core workout. 🙂