Do you want to go hiking with your baby but have no idea how? Where do you even start? How should you prepare? What gear do you need?
Well, you’re in the right place! In this blog, we share our experiences hiking with a baby. While we are not experts, we have taken our baby on countless hikes across multiple states and numerous National Parks. We’ve compiled a list of what we believe to be the 7 must-know tips for hiking with a baby!
If you’re not interested in the tips and just want to see what baby hiking gear we use, you can check out our list of all our favorite outdoor and hiking essentials for babies.
Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sales you make from purchasing products via our links (at no extra cost to you). This really helps us as creators and allows us keep writing free blogs like this one – thanks in advance for your support!
7 Tips for Hiking with a Baby:
#1. Choose the Right Carrier
Until babies can support their head and neck properly (which is usually around 6 months), it’s best for them to be in a front carrier. We use the Ergobaby Omni Deluxe Mesh Carrier. After doing lots of research we decided on this Ergobaby carrier because of these features:
- Mesh material so it’s more breathable than other traditional fabrics
- 6 pockets/storage areas (It has both a detachable front pocket and side hip pockets)
- Easy to understand settings to move the position as your baby grows
- Neutral color options
- Multiple ways to wear it – facing in (0+ months), facing out (5+ months), back carry (6+ months), Hip carry (6+ months)
- Super supportive & your baby always feels secure (Crossable straps & lumbar support)
- Machine washable (which is key after sweating in it & how dirty it gets while hiking)
- Adjustable head, support pillow (perfect for when your baby falls asleep & you can keep their head still even while hiking up a mountain)
- You can breastfeed with your baby in the carrier (perfect for hiking or on-the-go)
Once they are older, you can put them in a backpack hiking carrier! We have this Osprey Poco Child Carrier, which you can use even when they’re a toddler.
#2. Sun Protection
Baby skin shouldn’t be in direct sunlight for long periods of time, especially during the peak of the day! Since babies cannot wear sunscreen until they are at least 6 months old, having thin, lightweight outfits that cover their arms and legs is key. We love these organic bamboo rompers for hiking! You may think having them in a sleeveless onesie would be cooler, but it doesn’t protect their skin at all. And when they’re in the carrier, you want a layer of cloth between you (vs. being skin to skin) because it will keep BOTH of you cooler.
Another thing we believe is absolutely necessary is a wide-brimmed hat for their head! This part of their body is the most exposed. Whenever we were hiking in total shade, we would take it off so he could look around! Here are a few of the baby hiking hats we love: a bucket hat with a neck flap and a bucket hat with UPF 50+ protection.
*Please note that for photos, I take his hat off so you can see his face! So all these hikes he was wearing one the entire time (except for a few photos at the top)
#3. Start Early in the Morning
It’s best to avoid hiking with a baby during the afternoon or mid-day because it’s the peak heat of the day and you’ll most likely be in a lot of direct sun. We’d HIGHLY recommend starting your hike at sunrise. I know it’s early, but it’s worth it! The trails are significantly less crowded, it’s cooler, and honestly, a much more peaceful experience.
If you really don’t want to hike at sunrise, try to choose trails that have natural shade so you don’t have to worry about the heat, direct sun, or UV as much. However, we’d still recommend dressing your baby as if they will be in direct sun (since the sun still filters through the trees).
Other accessories we bring in our hiking packs (depending on the weather and climate) are cooling cloths and a portable small fan to help with overheating. We used these mostly in desert climates since the heat can get quite intense in the summer (even in the early mornings and around sunset). We really love this fan because it’s very compact, rechargeable, has a long battery life, and has 5 speeds!
Another option is to hike around sunset. But depending on where you are, it can still be quite warm. And the biggest thing we’ve learned is that hiking with a baby can take a lot longer (more on that later), so you’d risk hiking back down in the dark, which could not be ideal for a whole other set of factors.
#4. Stay Hydrated
Whenever you’re hiking, it’s always important to stay hydrated. But it’s extra important to keep both yourself AND your baby hydrated!
Be sure to drink lots of water, pack hydrating snacks, or even electrolytes. You’ll probably be sweating more while carrying a baby, so you’ll want to replenish. I hike with this small Osprey Daylite pack to be able to drink water from a water bladder easily while hiking. It’s very lightweight, but I can still pack a few baby essentials or snacks for myself in it too!
As far as hydrating your baby, they may feed or take a bottle more than usual because they’re also sweating a lot and potentially dehydrated. I am breastfeeding my baby on demand, so it makes feeding my baby while hiking super easy since I don’t have to pre-pack bottles, milk, or formula. I just pack a few burp cloths. If you aren’t breastfeeding, I would recommend taking at least one extra supply for what your baby would usually feed during the time frame of your hike.
Want to know the best hikes in Zion for hiking with a baby? Watch this video:
#5. Be aware of Altitude AND Elevation Gain
Just like us, babies can get altitude sickness, but they can’t always express it. Spend a few extra days acclimating to the elevation before hiking (especially if you live close to sea level). It’s possible your baby will be more fussy or cry more as they adjust to the altitude. We also use a saline spray to help with dry noses (particularly in drier desert regions or Colorado).
When researching your hikes, be sure to look at the elevation gain you’ll reach on a hike (not just the starting elevation). For example, you may start your hike at 5,000ft but you could climb to 7,000ft. We always use Alltrails to research hikes, find current conditions, and download maps offline to ensure we’re staying on trail.
Remember that if you feel extra tired, have a headache, or have a dry nose because of the altitude, your baby probably does too. Pay extra attention for any unusual behaviors or trouble breathing!
Important note: It’s generally not recommended for babies less than 6 weeks to be above 6,500ft and babies less than 3 months to be above 8,000ft (unless you live at those elevations). Please always consult your pediatrician to see what is best for your baby. *This is NOT medical advice!
#6. Pack more diapers than you think
When you’re miles from your vehicle and in the middle of the woods, you do NOT want to run out of diapers lol. Diapers aren’t that heavy, so it’s worth the extra weight! Be sure to bring a changing mat too, so you can lay your baby on any flat-ish surface without getting them super dirty. This changing mat is a great compact option!
Just like any trash, ALWAYS pack out your diapers! We wrap the diaper up tight before we put it in the outside mesh pocket of our backpack. Then we throw them away after we’re done hiking, and we are near a trash can. If you are concerned about mess or smell, you could bring a small doggy bag or plastic bag to put them in before putting them inside your backpack.
#7. Start off with easy hikes
When you are first starting to hike with a baby (even if you were an avid hiker before having a baby), we’d recommend choosing an easy hike!
Not only so you can get used to hiking with a baby since it’ll probably be more tiring at first, especially being postpartum. But also in case everything goes wrong or your baby is just not having it, you’re not far away from the car. As you get more comfortable and confident, you can work your way up to more challenging hikes!
For reference, our first hike with our baby was when he was 7 weeks old. We did a very easy 2.5-mile hike along the California coastline in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. It was our first time traveling with a baby (we went to San Diego from our home in North Carolina). It was the perfect place for our first hike before embarking on a 6-week summer road trip in our RV through the mountains out west with our 3-month old baby!
Then again, once we were out west and at a higher elevation, we began with a few easy trails to help us acclimate. We’ve embraced the slower hiking pace with a baby and absolutely love it!
We hope you found this blog about hiking with a baby helpful! If you have any questions or want any more hiking with a baby resources, follow us on Instagram @thewildylife. Send us a DM – we’d be happy to help!
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