How to Hike With a Baby

The weather is changing, summer is on its way!

Last year’s pandemic came with multiple challenges, but one of my absolute favourite effects was that my family, like many others, discovered the joy of hiking our local trails. We aren’t hardcore hikers, but we racked up over 120 kilometres of walking last summer and fall! And the best part?

I did it with a five-year-old, a three-year-old and a baby.

My last baby was born in June of 2020 during our pandemic quarantine. There were practically no activities that I could take my kids to. We’d done our best to make our backyard fun, but it wasn’t enough. Every time I took my littles out for a walk in the neighbourhood they would run all over the place with their crazy kid energy. I was stressed by visions of cars backing out on top of them or running in the streets after a squirrel (yes, that happened). All that to say, our walks were not a lot of fun.

A member of a local Facebook group I’m in shared that they’d visited a small waterfall nearby and had a blast. The kids were allowed to climb down and play in the water, there was free parking and shaded trails. I became a little obsessed with visiting this seemingly magical place, and after my doctor gave me the all-clear we went for a quick day trip. I packed a picnic lunch, the diaper bag and my baby wrap and we were off!

That first trip we didn’t make it too far, only 1.8 km. I needed to get used to baby-wearing again, I’d tied it a little bit loosely. But, I got my family out of the house and we had fun! The kids loved clambering all over the rocks and the little waterfall was beautiful. It made me realize that I didn’t need to feel trapped at home.

As the summer progressed we visited many other trails. Some were at nature conservation areas, some provincial parks, and one of our favourites was actually behind our county’s administration building. Most of the trails were within a thirty-minute drive from our home.

After that first excursion, I realized it made a lot more sense to make a morning out of these activities. The kids are always up early anyway, and if they’ve been outside expending energy, they will nap in the afternoon. On our adventure days, we would get up, get dressed, have a quick breakfast and then head out typically before 8:00. My husband worked during the week so yes, most of these outings were just me and three small kids.

Here’s how I did it!

Babywearing

Wear all the babies! I didn’t think I would be a fan of babywearing. I watched a few of my friends try it and it seemed like it was beyond me. Everything changed in 2017 when my son was born. That little cuddle bug would not nap on his own, all he wanted was to be snuggled. I bought a stretchy wrap and stuffed him in it, a perfect solution. He slept happily and I was able to get a few things done around the house. That’s how we spent most of his early days! He’s still pretty cuddly.

For my summer excursions, I bought a Beluga Baby wrap. I love supporting Canadian and it is the lightest weight stretchy wrap I’ve come across. Even though we were out in the mornings, I didn’t want my littlest to overheat. And it's so soft, it's comfortable against her skin and mine.

Babywearing made all the difference. I had my hands completely free, I could carry a backpack with no problem and I could look down and see my baby at all times. She would look around at first but then would always fall asleep. And if I needed to stop and feed her, it was easy to pop her right out.

If you're interested in babywearing, the options may seem overwhelming. There are stretchy or woven wraps, structured carriers, ring-slings and everything in between. There are great babywearing communities out there! Search for a local Facebook group, they can help answer questions you might have. There are multiple benefits to babywearing, including the freedom of getting out of the house.

Plan Ahead

The AllTrails app is a brilliant tool for anyone who enjoys hiking or cycling. It allows you to see what trails are nearby and you can break them down into categories. They’re also rated, so it’s easy to avoid ones that might be bogged down with mud or completely overrun by mosquitos.

Are you interested in a loop? Or maybe an out-and-back is more your style? Looking for something flat or do you like big elevation changes? The AllTrails app will help you find the right trails for you.

Always check the weather before you go. A bit of rain is not the end of the world, but you do not want to be caught in a wooded area during a thunderstorm. The weather forecast will also help you decide what clothes to wear.

What to Wear

If you’re going to hike trails on any kind of regular basis, invest in some quality hiking or trail shoes. Your feet will thank you! Trails can be rough and uneven, around my home there is a lot of old stone, so you want footwear that won’t slip and provides a bit of stability.

I am a huge fan of leggings, especially with pockets. A full-length pant will protect you from the sun and the foliage, although nothing will stop mosquitos these days. Wear whatever you’re most comfortable in. I will also advocate for pockets, keep your phone close by for your GPS and to take photos!

When it comes to your top half, think layers, layers, layers. A cool morning can quickly turn overwhelmingly hot in the humidity. Loose layers will allow you to adjust as needed.

For the baby - remember that there aren’t any sunscreens rated for infants, so keep them covered. When the summer was hottest, my baby wore a onesie and socks, as her feet were the only part not covered by the baby wrap. Light cotton sleepers are also a great option. For the sunniest days, don’t forget your hats.

Safety First

Before you head out on any trail, even if you are planning a thirty-minute walk, always make sure that someone else knows where you are. I send screenshots of the AllTrails route to my husband so that he’s aware of the exact trailhead that we’re using. Don’t forget to check back in at the end of your hike!

Bring a first-aid kit in your bag. Falls happen, especially with little kids running at top speed. It’s easy to carry a small kit with you in case of injury. I carry a small, soft kit designed for one to four people.

Establish rules with your children. We have a sight-line rule. It’s not important how far away they are, it matters that we can still see each other. If I call them to come back, they have to come. This may be different depending on the part of the world you live in. These trails are heavily trafficked and do not have any large predators nearby. However, if you live in mountain lion or bear country, make sure you follow posted warnings and stay in safe areas.

Stay on the marked trail. AllTrails has a GPS function that shows you where you’ve been superimposed on the local trail maps. If you do find yourself off the path, use the app to get back on track.

Know your limits. Start with shorter trails with minimal elevation changes and work towards longer, more challenging hikes. Most importantly, listen to your body. Take breaks when you need them and don’t be afraid to turn back early if you are not feeling it. Everyone has off days, don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Leave nature be. There are so many incredible trails available for us to enjoy, it's imperative that they're respected. Always take away your garbage, and don't pick the flowers or harass the wildlife. As the saying goes - leave only footprints, take only photos!

What to Bring

Water! If you don't bring anything else, make sure that you're carrying water with you. Bring enough for you and your kids. I typically had one litre for me and another for the two littles, with more in the car for the end of the trip. Make sure that you drink frequently during your hike.

Baby essentials. You don’t need to bring a full diaper bag, but it’s a good idea to bring a few diapers, a small pack of wipes and a plastic bag to take any used diapers back with you. I also packed a lightweight blanket and a spare sleeper, just in case.

Sunscreen and bug spray. I typically slathered everyone with sunscreen in the parking lot right before we start the hike. The bug spray came with me and stayed easily accessible. Mosquitos can easily ruin a walk.

Snacks. Always bring snacks! Depending on the duration of your walk, you might need a small carb boost partway through. We also enjoyed having a snack at the very end. I packed things like fruit, granola bars and muffins.

Get Out and Enjoy!

Our family summer walks turned out to be a highlight of 2020. We enjoyed the outdoors, got a bit of exercise and had adventures! Most days we were home before lunch, glad that we’d already accomplished something fun and exciting. I highly recommend taking advantage of some of your local trails. Hiking with three kids under the age of five is achievable!

Hello! If you've enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a ❤️ or sharing it is always appreciated! This is not a sponsored post, these are just items that I've used and enjoyed. I hope that this article inspires you to get outside and explore! -Christina

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