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Tips for Hiking with a Baby

Going on a hike with a 7-year-old is far different than loading up a 7-month-old and hitting the trails. Still, what some would consider a daunting task (and others would call crazy) should not deter you from enjoying the great outdoors with your bundle of joy. The key is preparation. With a little planning and a lot of thought your day in the woods can become a cherished memory.

Be Prepared

You don’t have to be a Boy Scout to know how vital it is to plan ahead and expect the unexpected. When packing for your trip include the must-haves (maps, flashlights, cellphone, emergency gear, etc.) but don’t forget to bring extra baby staples along such as extra clothes, Baby Tylenol and extra water or a water pump to use at streams. (Breast-feeding mothers should keep in mind that you will need to drink more water than usual if you are hiking with a baby strapped to your back.) Also, pack extra food and tell friends and relatives where you plan to hike and when you expect to return in case you don’t.

Never Hike Alone

And your baby doesn’t count as another party. Not only is grabbing a partner a good idea for safety reasons, having another body around will also prove useful when you want to offload food and gear.

Pick a Comfortable Pack

Before you head off on a 12-mile hike make sure you test out your baby carrier. Does your baby fit like a glove in it and what’s more, are you comfortable wearing it? Decide on a front or back carrier or try out the Ergo baby carriers that do double duty. Trekking poles also come in handy to lend stability on uneven terrain.

Lower Your Expectations

Unless you are Hercules then you likely will find yourself traveling slower with a 20-pound tot nestled in your 30-pound backpack. If you need to cover 12 miles try breaking it up into 3 manageable miles per day. Remember the goal is to experience the great outdoors with your baby not to race to the top of Yosemite’s Half Dome in a day.

Related Articles:

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Hiking into Summer

More Places To Hike In Hawaii

Where To Hike In Hawaii

Fun Family Travel Destinations-Part 3: Hiking Trails

“Take A Hike”—On The Appalachian Trail

This entry was posted in Hiking/Backpacking and tagged , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.