Hiking with a baby

Hiking with a baby or toddler is a bit different from hiking by yourself or with friends. When you’re starting out hiking with a baby, there are some considerations that are important to keep in mind. It can be intimidating to take your baby to the trails for the first few times! Here are some best tips on how to enjoy hiking with a baby, including information on planning your hikes with a baby, how to prepare, hiking with a baby gear, and more.

It is a JOY to get to share my love of the outdoors with my son. He generally really loves being outside, and is happy in the carrier for the most part.

How soon can you hike with a baby?

There are a couple main questions to answer to help you determine when you should start hiking with a baby. First and foremost is your health. 

With natural (vaginal) births, the basic rule of thumb is six weeks for recovery. For c-section births, it’s eight weeks. However, this is simply a starting point. You will need to listen to your own body, and I recommend going for local walks to build up endurance and strength before you hit the trails.

Our first hike was a one mile paved loop around Gold Creek Pond, a beautiful flat area at Snoqualmie Pass. I was able to push my baby in his stroller. This was about 4 weeks post partum (c-section).

Our first hike after Nico’s birth was when he was about 4 weeks old. We did not attempt a more rugged hike until I passed the 8 week post-surgery mark.

It can be frustrating to have to wait to tackle bigger hikes when you’re a very outdoorsy mom, but trust me, you don’t want to rush it. Your body needs to be given the opportunity to recover, heal, and gain strength over time. You’ll get back to bigger mountains before you know it!

I got back to bigger mountains by the time my son was about 8-9 months old, but that’s also simply in part because it was summer at that point and more trails were accessible. The toughest hike we did was Maple Pass Loop, which was 7.2 miles and over 2,000 feet elevation gain. The trail was very busy and we didn’t see a single other parent with a baby! I felt so strong (and incredibly sore after)!

Picking a trail to hike with your baby

Now, the fun part: picking a trail to hike with your baby! There are a few things to consider as you select your trail: the distance from home, length of the trail, elevation gain, proximity to assistance if needed, cell service status, and weather. 

In general, starting small is always a good idea. For me, I wanted something that was an hour or less from home, a trail I’d done before so I knew what to expect, and a fairly easy trail that I was confident my body could handle. 

Find the joy in the little trails and hikes near you. As you build your strength and confidence, you’ll venture further (and increase the difficulty). There’s no need to rush!

Be sure to check the weather before you head out, because you will want to be sure you’re prepared with adequate supplies depending on the weather.

To find trails, I recommend using the AllTrails app or website. You can select your location and then filter by the types of trails you want, from length to trail features to if they’re dog friendly or highly trafficked and more! 

What should my baby wear hiking?

You will need to have baby hiking clothes for your little one. What clothes your baby should wear for a hike depends a lot on the weather, but here are the basics:

• For warm weather: lightweight clothing with sleeves, like a wool onesie or a UPF swimsuit. This will help protect your baby’s skin from the sun. You’ll also want shoes to cover their feet, a sunhat, and sunglasses (if you can keep them on!). I also like to bring a lightweight blanket to make shade at lunch/rest spots.

Washington is a little unique, in that even in summer, mountain trails can be quite chilly for a baby who is sitting in a pack. He’s wearing a wool base layer under his fleece bunting, with sunglasses (though he generally pulls them off as quickly as we can put them on…) This is from a hike in August, it was windy!

• For wet weather: a lightweight wool onesie, followed by a fleece bunting if it’s cold, and a rain suit with rain boots.
• For cold weather: a wool onesie (I love the adventure zippy from Iksplor), a fleece bunting, a down bunting, mittens, wool socks, insulated boots, and a warm hat. 

Keeping your baby warm in cold weather hiking is critical! Here, baby is wearing a wool base layer, fleece bunting, and down bunting. He also has a wool hat and insulated boots. Cozy and snug, he was able to sleep most of this hike.

Be sure to check in on your baby regularly to check their temperature. You can do this by placing a hand on the back of your baby’s neck. If it’s cold, add a layer. If it’s sweaty, remove one or cool baby down. It can be difficult to know what baby hiking clothes are best, but you’ll learn with some trial and error what works for your little one.

Feeding your baby on a hike

How you feed your baby while hiking depends on what your baby is consuming (breastmilk or formula) and if they have started solids or not.

If you’re breastfeeding, it can feel intimidating to breastfeed outside your home for the first time, especially in the wilderness. But I like to remember that humans lived in natural environments for far longer than we’ve lived in modern houses, so it truly is the most natural thing in the world to nurse your baby on a log in the forest, or in the sand at the beach.

Our second hike was more of a trail, around the 6 week post partum mark. I was still tender and not fully recovered, and my husband carried him the majority of the way. This was our first time nursing on the trail.

My best tips are:

• Nurse your baby in the car when you arrive at the trail. You may still need to nurse on the hike, but starting out with a content baby will help.
• Find a comfortable seat where you can elevate your feet to allow your knees to support you as you hold your baby. This could be a log seat with a rock foot prop. Sitting in this way will be more comfortable and facilitate easier nursing on the trail.
• Wear clothing that is nursing friendly. Be sure to wear a nursing sports bra, and if it’s winter, a nursing hiking top so your stomach won’t get cold.
• When your baby is older, you may be able to breastfeed them directly in a soft carrier. While this isn’t a trick I employed, many moms find this to be a great way to keep moving while baby eats.

If you’re pumping, consider pumping in your car prior to the hike so you have a bottle ready to go on the trail. Alternatively, you can bring a manual pump to express milk when needed.

If you are formula feeding, bring warm water in a thermos with the pre-measured estimated amount of formula you will need, alongside a couple of clean bottles. That way, you can mix on the trail when needed. Alternatively, bring pre-made formula.

If your baby is starting solids, you can bring basic snacks like pouches, puffs, cooked carrots or peas, cooked beans, and fresh fruit. You can simply find a spot to sit down and sit baby in your lap while s/he snacks. When our son was eating more (around 10-11 months), I liked to nurse him and also offer a snack in the car before getting onto the trail to start him off with a full belly.

Bananas make for a great snack for baby before starting a hike. Full tummy=happier baby on the trail!

Diaper changes on a hike

Diaper changes on hiking trails are actually pretty easy. You’ll need to bring a changing mat, diapers, and wipes, and find a soft spot to set your baby down while you change the diaper. I always bring a wet bag to contain dirty diapers.

Naps while hiking with a baby

Planning hikes around nap time can be tricky, as it is a moving target as your baby grows and changes. I have found a couple of useful approaches. 

The first is to aim to make the drive to the trailhead during nap time, so baby naps in the car, particularly if the trailhead is 90+ minutes away from home. Otherwise, I prefer to drive when baby is awake and plan for a long trail nap (or two!). We’ve found that our son naps well while in his baby carrier as long as we are moving (warning, if you stop your baby may wake).

Generally speaking, my son naps very easily while I hike and he’s in the carrier. Just make sure your baby is comfortable, with a full tummy and the proper baby hiking gear, and before you know it your little one will be a trail napper.

Hiking with a baby (by age)

Babies change so rapidly that each age is distinct. I’d categorize hiking with a baby into a few buckets:

1. Hiking with a newborn: Ranging from as soon as you feel comfortable to hike until about 3 months old, hiking with a newborn is very relaxed because your baby will mostly spend his or her time sleeping and eating. But, you’re still new as a mom (or new to this baby!) so there can be challenges in that regard as you adjust to motherhood. You’ll likely have to nurse or provide a bottle on trail unless you do a very quick hike, as baby is consuming a lot of milk at this stage. Your baby will likely be in a wrap or sling type carrier, or in a soft sided carrier.
2. Hiking with a baby 3-6 months: Things may start to get easier as baby doesn’t need milk quite as often, but baby is still not very active and sleeping a lot. This is a sweet spot for hiking with a baby!
3. Hiking with a baby 6-12 months: Your baby will likely be big enough and meet requirements to hike in a structured carrier at this age, which definitely changes the game. Your baby will also be more mobile during this period, starting to crawl and possibly walking, while also starting solid foods. They will be napping less and more interested in their surroundings! 

By the time baby is nearly a year old, things have changed a lot from the newborn days. Baby is in a structured carrier, and as you can see, we have water and snacks packed for him, in addition to breastmilk.

Safety while hiking with a baby

When hiking with a baby, be sure to take all the regular safety precautions you’d take while hiking. Make sure you pack the 10 essentials to ensure you have relevant safety equipment. 

Beyond that, I’d recommend considering a few things:

Packing bear spray, depending on where you are going: if there may be animals like bears or wild cats, I like to bring bear spray for peace of mind.
Cell service: Consider taking a trail that has cell service or isn’t too far from it, so if needed you can access help.
Company: bring a partner or a friend! While I do hike solo with my son, for the first few times I would definitely choose to bring a buddy along.

This was one of the first hikes I did with a friend, without my husband. Even though the friend probably isn’t helping much with your baby, it’s nice to know they’re there in case you need anything.

Personal location beacon: This is an investment, but one you might want to consider for hiking with a baby. A PLB allows you to send text messages through satellite communications and also can send emergency alerts when activated.

What to bring hiking with a baby (hiking with a baby gear)

You don’t need a ton of new gear to hike with a baby. The main hiking with a baby gear that you will need is a hiking carrier.

• When your baby is a newborn, I recommend a wrap or sling style carrier. I loved the Boba wrap for small outings when my son was a few weeks old. It’s cozy, soft, and easy to use and your baby will likely easily nap snuggled on your chest while you hike. Check prices for the Boba wrap here.
• When your baby is a little bigger, you may want to use a soft sided carrier. The Ergo baby carrier is pretty unbeatable. It’s comfortable for the wearer, easy to adjust, and can be worn on your front or back (be sure to follow instructions as to when your baby can be in which positions). The Ergo baby carrier is probably our most used baby item, because we use it all the time for things like running errands, neighborhood walks, doing chores, etc. Check prices now.
• After your baby is 6 months old and can sit independently, you may be ready to get a hard sided carrier. This is my preferred carrier as soon as baby is old enough because it isn’t so hot, since baby is not directly against your skin. It also allows you to carry trail items in the pack such as a water reservoir, food, and baby items. We’ve loved our Deuter Kid Comfort carrier. Get your baby hiking carrier now.

My preferred method of carrying my son, the hard sided carrier is structured, has a hip and shoulder belt, and space to pack essentials like a water bladder and baby supplies.

So beyond the absolute basics of having a carrier for hiking with your baby, what else should you get? Here are my top recommendations for gear for hiking with a baby.

• • Hiking carrier accessories: a rain cover for your hard sided carrier and a rain cover for your soft sided carrier. That way you can enjoy the outdoors in wet weather!
  • Breastfeeding tops for cold weather. In the winter, there is nothing better than a wool hiking shirt and Let’s Iksplor has gorgeous bright colored nursing wool shirts. This is clutch because it’s cold to have your stomach exposed in the winter! In warm weather I just use a normal workout shirt for nursing, since it isn’t cold to have your stomach in the open.
  • A z-seat. This will allow you to feed your baby more comfortably, even if it’s cold and wet, and can double as extra padding for a trailside diaper change. Plus, it’s super lightweight! Check prices for a z-seat here.
  • A sunhat for your baby. A neck flap is helpful to protect their delicate skin.
  • Lightweight merino wool layer for baby in warm weather. I adore Wee Woolies. You can also get a Woolino onesie on Amazon here. It doubles as sun protection as wool naturally has UPF properties.
  • Sunscreen, if your baby is old enough.
  • Diapers, wipes, & changing pad
  • Wet bag for dirty diapers
  • Garmin mini InReach, to communicate in areas where there is no service and call for emergency help if needed.
  • Water reservoir to stay hydrated
  • Baby snack container if your baby is eating solids
  • You may want to bring a toy or two for your little one, depending on his or her age, and a pacifier if your baby likes them.
  • Trekking poles. They are always useful, but particularly important to have when carrying a lot of extra weight. I can’t count how many times my trekking poles have saved me from a fall. Get a pair now.

Don’t let the gear issue stop you from getting outside with your baby. The essentials (ie, a baby carrier, appropriate clothing) can all be found secondhand if needed. Check Facebook Marketplace and your local thrift stores.

Final thoughts on hiking with a baby

It’s never too late to get started hiking with your baby! While the first few times can be intimidating, know that with practice things just get easier. Not every hike will go well, but just knowing that makes it easier when hiking with. your baby doesn’t go according to plan. Raising your child outside will help them develop an appreciation for nature that will be a gift for years to come.

Camping with your baby can be such a fun way to spend time in nature together! Check out my complete guide to camping with a baby or toddler now.