We have at least one honorary “baby” member of PNWLH- she comes to our hikes packed into her snugli and ready to go! Taking a baby hiking can be done, as that member mama can attest. While it requires preparation and thought- and a little extra gear- remember that our ancestors were packing their infants around for thousands of years, so why can’t you?
Plan Ahead:
It is much more important to plan ahead when hiking with babies, from deciding which trail is appropriate to getting the right gear.
Check the weather. While there are no guarantees, it would be a bad idea to hike with a baby when extreme weather is expected. Babies have a more difficult time regulating body heat than do adults. No matter how much you try, sometimes a baby will manage to hang a foot, hand, or even his or her head outside of an umbrella or poncho to get cold and wet. This makes for an unhappy baby in the long run, which means an unhappy mommy or daddy as well. Also, allow for bigger variations when you are hiking higher elevations, such as lower temperatures and snow. Be prepared to deal with any emergency or sudden situation. Even a sunny day can burst into a storm, so be sure you have a small umbrella.
Consider the trail. Hike well-marked, well-travel trails with easy accessibility. Consider that even if you’ve hiked a trail before, it will be a different hike with baby on your back or front.
Prepare baby. Pack and prep as if you will be gone for a long time. Be sure baby is changed, fed, clean, and happy. That will help reduce the amount of times you have to stop along the trail, and should result in a better experience for everyone.
Gear:
First, be prepared to take extra gear. A large capacity pack is a must. If you don’t have someone to share the load with you, you can carry the baby in a front pack and your backpack on your back, or you can carry the baby in a backpack carrier and sling your backpack across your chest.
Taking baby on the trail may make you realize just how much you take for granted. Changing a baby on a rock or juggling supplies to make a bottle in the wilderness are certainly a different experience. As long as you keep in mind that you will not have access to the typical amenities, you should be fine.
In addition to the usual baby supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.), consider the following:
Something to change the baby on, whether it’s a changing pad or a blanket.
A blanket or sheet to sprawl on, or wrap around baby while preparing for a change of clothes, etc.
Feeding supplies (see Feeding Baby, below)
Extra wipes for cleaning up messes.
Extra warm baby clothes. Be sure to add a layer more than you think you will need, since you can never be sure what you will encounter in the wilderness.
Add some extras to your first aid kit or pack a separate one (see Safety, below).
Extra water for you! You’ll be surprised at how much difference carrying the extra weight will make to your hydration.
Sun protection. An umbrella or a white lightweight blanket draped over baby can do on sunny days, and a footed outfit that covers arms, hands, legs and feet can do on cooler days.
Camera with extra batteries. You don’t want to miss those precious shots of baby!
Trekking poles can lend stability on uneven terrain.
The most important item: A positive attitude and a willingness to be flexible.
Dressing Baby:
Dress baby in long cotton pants, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat. This outfit will keep baby cool, comfortable, and protected from the sun. Toddlers are better off with tennis and socks rather than sandals. Shoes will protect your toddler’s feet better, and you won’t have to stop every 5 yards to dislodge a pebble.
Carrying Baby:
You have several different options for carrying baby. Whatever route you choose, be sure to wear baby in it for some shorter stints to be sure he or she- and you- are comfortable with it.
Front Pack Carriers: One option for carrying baby is a Snugli or other front pack carrier. These are the most suitable for hiking. Like the backpack, the front pack has leg holes and the top is open, and often there are armholes as well. They are usually made of soft fabric that can be adjusted to fit snug to mom or dad, so there is little room for movement by baby. The benefits to the front pack carriers are that you can easily see baby, you can feed a bottle while trekking (if you’re coordinated enough), and you can carry the rest of your gear comfortably on your back. There are carriers of this kind suitable for babies of all ages. Mom and dad should consider wearing a back brace when using this type of carrier, to maintain good back posture and reduce pain from long-term use.
One other thing to consider with the front pack carrier is that you can tuck baby into your clothes, and your body heat will help keep him or her warm. On the other hand, if the weather is warm, you’ll need to be considerate of overheating as well.
Backpack Carriers: Once baby gets a little older, and can sit up and hold his or her head up on their own (manufacturers recommend 6 months and older), you can use backpack child carriers. Then you can carry your regular backpack slung across your chest. Much like an external-frame backpacking gear pack, the backpack child carrier holds the baby on mom or dad’s back, providing a fabric seat, leg holes, and open top.). Because mom or dad will be carrying the pack and baby weight on the back and hips, it is recommended that the mom or dad wear good foot and ankle support and use trekking poles to add body support.
Look for these important features in a backpack child carrier:
An adjustable safety harness that holds the child securely in place.
A padded cockpit with high back and sides to support and protect the child from branches and with a low front for visibility.
Spring-loaded stirrups for a child to rest his feet without being to climb out.
A retractable sun-and-rain hood.
A collapsible frame with a kickstand for setting the pack down upright, which retracts without pinching your child.
Ample cargo space and pockets for gear.
Reflective tape or patches on the back.
Wrap Carriers: Another option for carrying baby is a wraparound carrier, like a Moby Wrap or an Ellaroo Wrap. Some parents swear by wrap carriers for hiking, since wrap carriers tend to keep baby closer and provide better head support. Wrap carriers are also adaptable to many different carrying positions, allowing mom or dad to adjust baby over the course of a hike.
If mom is breastfeeding baby, she will probably need to do so en route (another reason to use to use a Wrap Carrier to carry baby). If baby is bottle fed, make sure you have clean bottles, nipples, formula, and enough water for the day. If baby is old enough for solid foods, pack them in non-glass containers. Water or formula can be kept cool in a collapsible insulated tote bag or cooler, and it can be kept warm in a thermos. If you are carrying baby in a front pack, and you are coordinated enough, and baby is bottle-fed, you can hike and feed at the same time.
If you’re toting a toddler, be sure to bring plenty of snacks. Peanut butter and crackers, energy bars, and o-shaped toasted cereal work well. Pack them in plastic baggies or plastic containers. Also be sure to bring water for your toddler even if they are only riding along. Kids can get dehydrated even if they are only passengers in a carrier.
Changing Baby:
Hiking trails were not designed with the parents of infants in mind. Here is where you use all of your creativity to create temporary diaper changing stations. If you see a likely spot, take advantage of it, because you can never be sure what the trail conditions ahead will be like.
Plan for two or three changes, depending on how long you will be out. Remember to “pack it in, pack it out.” Under no circumstances should you burn or bury diapers. Disposable diapers are less messy when you tote them out. Soiled diapers can be sealed in plastic bags to carry them out. Be sure to pack hand sanitizer for after changing.
Safety:
Be sure to watch for sunburn, rashes, and hypothermia. Babies have no way to communicate with us until it’s too late for some things like sunburn or windburn. Babies lose heat quickly, especially through extremities. They aren’t generating heat through activity like mom and dad are, so be extra diligent and educate yourself so you can aware of all of the possibilities. Inexperienced new parents can be unintentionally thoughtless.
Either pack a separate first aid kit for baby, or add to the kit you already carry. Be sure to include baby Tylenol, teething ointment, antihistamine cream, and diaper rash ointment.
Sun Exposure: Many pediatricians recommend that you avoid using too much sunscreen (limit to face and hands) on baby’s skin until they are at least six months old. You can avoid baby sun exposure by dressing baby in clothes that cover his or her skin, using the shade on a backpack carrier or a white thin blanket to cover baby in a front pack carrier, and introducing baby to hats and sunglasses. You might consider bring some clips (hair clips and chip clips work well) if you use a blanket over a front pack, to help keep the blanket in place and your hands free.
Be Prepared: Be ready in case you or baby gets hurt. If you are in an area in which there are venomous creatures, be sure you have anti-venom on hand. Keep in mind that babies are much more susceptible to even mildly dangerous insects like Black Widows. If possible, also have a cell phone (but remember you may not have a signal!) and a GPS handheld unit.
Bug repellent: Bug repellent isn't sage for babies under 6 months old, so it's best to keep your baby covered with clothes and a hat. If your baby is over 6 months, bug repellent can be useful as long as you don't get it anywhere near your child's hands or eyes. Don't rely on it too heavily- clothing is still the best insurance against bites. When choosing products, avoid anything that contains both sunscreen and insect repellent, and any repellent containing more than 10 percent of the chemical DEET (check the label). Products containing DEET may be linked to certain health problems. Skintastic, made by Off, is the favorite of many pediatricians.
Check Baby: Stop often to check on baby. Check baby’s arms and legs to make sure he or she is warm enough but not overheating. Check baby’s diaper to make sure it’s dry and clean. Check to make sure baby is not hungry. Plan to stop occasionally just to let baby lay (or sit or crawl or stand) along the trail and explore for a bit.
Toddlers & Crawlers:
If you’ve ever spent time with a toddler, then you know this is one of the most difficult stages to deal with. Everything is interesting to a toddler, and everything simply must be put into the mouth, or touched, or tugged, or explored. If your toddler is small enough to put into a child carrier, do it. It will save you a lot of stress and energy. Otherwise, it often helps to enlist the assistance of at least one other adult, as another set of eyes to keep a close eye on the curious toddler. Given ample fluids and snacks, 2- to 4-year-olds can usually handle a one- to two-mile hike in good weather. But be aware, you'll probably end up carrying your child at times, especially on the way home.
