How to Take a Baby on a Hike

Children of any age love being outdoors. Planning ahead and using the right supplies will make hiking with your baby an enjoyable experience for the entire family.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• All-terrain Strollers
• Baby Backpacks
• Infant Carriers
• Baby Snacks
• Bottled Water
• First Aid Kits
• Sunscreen

1. Select the proper equipment. Options include a frontpack or backpack carrier or an all-terrain stroller.

2. Try out the equipment with the child in it prior to the hike.

3. Go a shorter distance for the first time. Often, parents enthusiastically take a baby off into the beautiful outdoors only to have the child protest at midpoint.

4. Hike on a well-defined trail, using a map. If hiking somewhere remote, try to check in with a ranger or park official prior to the hike.

5. Keep to the trail.

6. Hike with another adult. Besides safety in numbers, an extra set of adult arms may come in handy with the baby.

7. Take plenty of water for you and a bottle or finger food for the baby. Make frequent stops to drink.

8. Bring whatever items help baby fall asleep if hiking around naptime.

9. Consider tucking a first-aid kit - along with sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat - into a pocket of your child carrier or in a basket under the stroller.

10. Dress in layers and anticipate shedding these layers on the hike.

11. Wear appropriate hiking shoes that have already been broken in.

Tips & Warnings

• Hiking is a great opportunity to show your appreciation of nature to your child. Point at trees and flowers and say their names. Pretty soon, baby will be pointing and pronouncing the words.
• If hiking alone with a baby, always tell someone what trail you are on and what time you are heading out. You may want to tuck a cellular phone in the backpack in case of emergency.
• Do not apply sunscreen on babies less than six months old.

on 11/22/2005 when hiking you may be hot while baby is cold