Hiking with a Newborn

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the endless trips to the bathroom, excruciating heartburn, tiny fists punching your ribcage, and the many other delights of pregnancy. Now you’re wondering about getting back into hiking with your little one. This guide is for parents (moms or dads!) wanting to start hiking with their newborn (0-3 months old). Getting my little one outside was one of the greatest joys of the postpartum time, but it was very daunting to start out. In this post, I’m sharing all of the things I wish I had known before getting out there, along with some of my essential gear.

*First weekend trip with baby at 7 weeks old*

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, so always check with your doctor first to make sure that hiking is still considered safe, especially if you have any complications.

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General Tips for hiking with kids of any age:

Choose the right hike. Keep your kids’ abilities in mind and start small before building to longer hikes.
Be flexible and know when to quit a hike that isn’t working.
Keep everyone fed and hydrated. Pack more snacks and water than you think you need. Take care of kids’ needs, but also make sure you are staying hydrated and fed enough so that you can care for everyone.
Always let someone else know where you are
Keep an eye on the weather

*Baby’s first hike, a short local hike on a mostly flat path*

Let Yourself Heal

If you are a birthing parent, no matter how you delivered, your body went through something massive, and it might take a while until you’re ready to hit the trails again. Most physicians suggest waiting until 6 weeks postpartum before getting back into exercise, but you may need more or less! Stay in communication with your doctor and stop any exercise if something doesn’t feel right. In the first few weeks, focus on gentle stretches and short walks to build up your strength again. I was definitely guilty of getting out there a bit too early and had some rough back and hip pain as a result!

Practice Babywearing

Babywearing is key to getting out on the trails with your newborn. There are so many different options for wearing your baby, including wraps, ring slings, and structured carriers. Personally, I found a structured carrier to be the best option for hiking. I used the Ergobaby Embrace, a knit carrier specifically made for newborns, but can be used up to 25lbs. I liked this carrier because it was easy to get on and off, adjustable for both parents to wear, and machine washable.

It can take a little while for both you and the baby to get used to babywearing, so practice around your house and on short walks before heading to the woods. It took me a while to get the hang of putting the carrier on myself! Make sure to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for proper wearing so that you and your baby are safe. You should always be able to see baby’s nose and be able to kiss their head. Their legs should be in an “M” shape, and the bottom strap should sit on your natural waist (across your belly button).

TIP – Baby carriers can get expensive! Check your local kids’ consignment stores, Facebook marketplace, and Buy Nothing groups to get some options to practice with!

Don’t be discouraged if your baby is fussy the first few times in the carrier. Just like the stroller and car seat, it can take some time for your baby to get used to the feeling of being in the carrier. Keep testing it out with short walks and figure out what your baby needs to be comfortable.

Manage Body Temperature

Babies are mini furnaces. Seriously, it is shocking how warm they are, especially when strapped to your chest! You will have to dress and layer differently than you typically would if only hiking with a backpack. In the summer, make sure to wear light, breathable layers on both you and the little one. In the winter, wear one less layer than you typically would (but keep baby nice and warm). Be aware of your own temperature and make sure to take breaks to cool off or warm up if needed.

I had my baby in the summer, and I was so shocked at how sweaty I got hiking with her! I always ended up hiking while holding our stroller fan, which kept us both cool and kept the bugs off (bonus!)

*Even in the summer, keep baby’s screen protected from the sun.*

Hydration is Key

I’m a pretty seasoned hiker, so packing water for a hike is nothing new. But oh man, was I unprepared for how much water you have to drink while breastfeeding. Now, combine that with a tiny furnace on your chest and the summer heat. Yeah, I learned pretty quickly to bring twice as much water as I usually do, plus extra in the car for after the hike. Just remember that more water = more weight. Water in a hydration bladder makes it easy to take sips as you go!

Nurse or give a bottle frequently so that your baby also stays hydrated. Since breastmilk or formula is their only source of liquids, they can dehydrate very quickly when outside in the heat!

Feeling Shady

Babies can’t wear sunscreen. WHAT! I had no idea that doctors recommend avoiding sunscreen until babies are 6 months old. So, to hike with a newborn, make sure that their sensitive skin stays out of direct sunlight. Opt for trails that have plenty of tree cover. Dress your baby with long sleeves and pants, opting for non-cotton fabrics where possible. Make sure they have booties or socks and a sun hat. I also tried to wear a hat with a brim to cast more shadow. Pro tip – attach baby’s sunhat to a pacifier clip and clip to the baby carrier so it can’t blow away!

Diaper Bag Essentials

It’s likely that your diaper bag has gotten pretty hefty with every possible thing you might need. But you’ll want to have a slimmed-down version for your hike. Carrying water and baby is already heavy enough, so just pack the essentials: a foldable changing pad, diapers, wipes (put a few in a sealable bag), a bag for dirty diapers/clothes, and an extra outfit. Pretty much anything else can just stay in your diaper bag in the car! My little one loved a pacifier, so I brought that on a clippy string too.

Have a Potty Plan

I did a lot of solo hiking with my newborn, and it was the most wonderful bonding experience. It’s still one of the things I miss the most about my maternity leave. However, one of the hardest things for me to figure out was actually how to go to the bathroom! Seriously, one of the things you don’t realize until you’re alone with a baby is how difficult it is for you to relieve yourself if you don’t have access to a family restroom or someone to hand the baby to.

*Instead of an expensive carrier cover, tie a shirt around your core for an easily removable layer. Wear a raincoat backwards for rain coverage!*

For me, my pee funnel became my best friend. Is it easy to pee while babywearing? Not at all! But it’s better than being limited to only parks that have family restrooms or very short hikes! I also tried to wear clothing that was easy to pull down (ahem, NOT leggings). Do not be tempted to avoid the potty problem by not drinking any water! The last thing you want is to be dehydrated while hiking with a newborn, especially if you are on your own.

The Right Hike

Your first few hikes out with baby aren’t the time to test your limits. Start with an easy hike, maybe something that you’re familiar with. Try to start short and work up your endurance. Try not to feel discouraged if it seems like you’ve lost all of your fitness! It’ll come back with time. Consider also trying a local hike so if things don’t go well, you can easily bail and head home.

Babies Need Breaks and So Do You!

Take plenty of breaks on the trail and give your little one time out of the carrier to stretch and cool off. Depending on the temperatures, I try to take a break at least once an hour to do a diaper change, nurse, and just get a change of scenery. Often, even if my baby was fussing and crying, taking a break reset the clock and gave us another long stretch of carrier time. And something even another nap! These breaks are also a great time to check in with yourself to make sure your needs are met. Have a snack, drink some water, and decide if you need to change your route or take a layer on or off. Hiking with a newborn is not the time to be breaking any trail records, so embrace a slower pace and be kind to yourself.

Bad Hikes

After getting outside with my newborn quite a lot, I was feeling pretty confident! She was generally a pretty happy baby and liked being outside. So, I thought we could tackle a longer hike with a friend. Whether it was colder temperatures or just an off day, my sweet girl screamed for at least 2 miles of that hike. I felt horrible for her and embarrassed by the looks strangers on the trail gave me. By the end of the hike, I felt like a failure and worried that our days of hiking were over.

BUT. We went out again the next weekend, and things were fine! Sometimes, it’s just an off day. Don’t let one bad hike make you think hiking with your kiddo isn’t going to happen. Keep practicing and keep being flexible. It’s hard to get out there in the early days, but it’s so worth it in the long run!