It’s incredibly important to keep healthy, especially as a new mom.
While you may not be feeling up to doing a lot of exercise after you’ve had a baby, it’s still pretty crucial to make sure that you’re getting at least a little bit of physical activity into your day. Going for a hike can be a great way to enjoy the great outdoors with your little one while you’re racking up that step count!
Of course, hiking with a baby is a totally different ball game to hiking on your own. Things need to be done a certain way to ensure that both you and your baby are safe as you are hiking. So, how do you hike with a baby? Read on to find out!
Get The Right Gear
One of the most important things to keep in mind when you’re hiking with a baby is that you’re going to need to have the right hiking gear in order to keep your little one safe. There are a few things in particular that you need to pay extra attention to.
The first thing is the baby carrier. You can mainly choose between a front sling and a backpack carrier, though you can’t put a baby that’s under 6 months old into a backpack carrier.
If your baby is less than one month old, you should avoid going hiking altogether since babies that are that young may not react as well to the heat and inclement weather. Once you buy the carrier, it’s also worth testing it out before hitting the trails to ensure that everything is secure.
You may also want to consider a few other things. This includes a blanket or a sheet for when you’re ready to take a break on the hike. It’s also a very good idea to bring a first aid kit with you in case something goes wrong and make sure that your phone is totally charged in the event of an emergency.
Your baby also has incredibly delicate skin while they’re young, meaning that it’s important to bring some sun protection with you to protect them. Look for some baby sunblock and ensure that your baby is covered in it.
It’s handy to bring some food and water with you too. You could bring a chair with you for when you need to stop too. Oh, and your baby is also going to need some baby wipes and diapers, so it’s worth having a boat load of them with you too!
Be Wary
It’s best to be vigilant when you’re hiking with your baby and keep an eye out for any problems you may encounter while hiking.
For instance, if you’re hiking with your baby in very hot weather, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any signs of heatstroke. Some of the most common signs are fussiness, dizziness, lethargy, vomiting and red skin that is hot to the touch.
If you notice signs of heatstroke in your baby, you should do everything that you can to cool them down. You may do this by putting them in the shade and getting rid of excessive clothing - have some water on hand to cool them down too. In some cases the symptoms may be severe, in which case you should take them to the hospital.
You should also look out for signs that your baby is dehydrated - they need more water in the sunlight, and your baby won’t know how to communicate that to you. Your baby may be showing signs of dehydration if they are irritable, extremely thirsty they’re drowsy or they may be crying without tears.
Also keep an eye out for things such as bug bites, injuries and rashes and treat them accordingly.
Start Out Small
It’s probably not the best idea to attempt to climb Everest on your first hike with your little one. It’s best to start on smaller hikes and then gradually build up to bigger ones. It’s worth checking out the local trails and seeing what’s most comfortable for you.
It’s a good idea to avoid going for high elevation hikes at first too. You have no idea how your baby is going to react to them, so build up to the bigger heights.
Take Someone With You
If you’re going on a hike with your baby for the very first time, it’s best to take a family member or a friend with you.
This will help to keep you going when times get tough, and the other person can also help to look out for you and your baby.
Try, Try Again
It can be really hard for a baby to adjust to hiking at first, but you need to give it time. Keep going hiking frequently, and eventually your baby will adjust to the experience.
You need to make sure that they’re comfortable of course, but eventually your baby will become less fussy on hikes after doing them for a while.
Ask for Help
Hiking with a baby can be quite the challenge when you’re doing it for the first time, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
For instance, if you see a stranger on a hike you may ask them to check that the carrier is buckled up if you can’t see it yourself. Not to mention you get to see people cooing over your baby!
Conclusion
Hiking with your baby can be a really enjoyable and rewarding experience, and can be great for ensuring that your baby gets the amount of sun that they need.
It can take a while to get used to, but hopefully by following the guidance on this list, you can have successful hikes with your little one!