New Baby Hiker

[truepatriot09]

Count me amongst those of you who are hikers with kids! New baby arrived on Sunday. She's at 7lbs 4oz so I'm looking forward to when she's the minimum Kangaroo weight of 8lbs so we can go out on some local trails. Very excited to have a tiny hiking partner!

Any tips for the new Dad about kid carriers or any other baby hiking stories/issues? Would love to hear!

 

[sapblatt]

Kid carriers are good - I have a kelty - in fact it was easier when
Aaron would want to be in it...now he walks everywhere, which is good and bad! (he is almost 3)
Just keep in mind that you need one that is big enough to carry the baby and to carry whatever supplies you need. Look/shop around - these can be found for $49 - the skies the limit! Varying quality too...

Hey - congratulations!

 

[carole]

Practice changing lots of diapers so you can be quick on the trail.
Learn how to clean out the 'mustard' that goes all the way down to the toes.
Work on your singing voice (it will calm you both).

Congratulations and have fun.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Practice changing lots of diapers so you can be quick on the trail.
Learn how to clean out the 'mustard' that goes all the way down to the toes.

Oh yes... That brings back memories. Don't even think of eating hotdogs with NY deli style mustard when camping on the trail. Otherwise, you may lick that bit of mustard on your arm and.....

Well, at least you will be able to reply to a typical comment about power bars.

"They taste like S%$!!."

You can then say, with authority, "No they don't. I've tasted S%$!!, and its taste as entirely different than that of a power bar."

For me, that's the only good thing that's come out of licking that last bit of mustard.

 

[Furry]

Congratulations!

That's great news. We've used two child carriers, a Kelty and a Tough Traveler. We bought the Tough Traveler first (it was supposed to be good for taller hikers - I'm 6'2"), but I found that the frame tends to dig into your back just above your butt. It was just a mild discomfort at first, but on longer hikes it got pretty annoying. The Kelty was much more comfortable.

Also, we found that our baby tended to fall asleep in the carrier and always wound up with his head tilted at what appeared to be an uncomfortable angle (how uncomfortable could it be?.....he was asleep! ). So, a small (backpacking-size) pillow or towel to help support his head became standard gear to bring along.

Of course, warmer clothes for the baby than for yourself are necessary since she won't be exerting herself the way you are......but you probably already knew that.

Good luck and have fun with it!!!!

 

[The Sikes]

congratulations!

Congratulations on your new addition! It's great to have your kids as hiking partners....when they are older and you hike, you will have plenty of time for so many interesting conversations as you walk for hours on end. I know I'm getting a wopping $5.00 a week allowance when I am old and feeble. My daughter is going to knit all my clothes and for some strange reason me and my husband will switch off between kids but never together! I love to hike with them! I like it alot better now that they can walk and help me carry stuff!

 

[truepatriot09]

Fun to hear the lessons learned from hiking with the little ones. I'm outfitted with a fleet of carriers (all Kelty). I have the Kangaroo front carrier, the Journey and the Expedition so I'm pretty much ready to go for all weights and trips (day/overnights). Once she's big enough for the 'roo, I'll wait for a reasonably mild Saturday (30's/40's) and go for a walk...

It seems she was born at a good time, since by the time it's warm enough for her not to have to be bundled like Randy in A Christmas Story ("I can't put my arms down!") she'll be more alert and big enough for the Journey on my back...Good Times!

 

[snowshoe]

Congrats. I did the same with mine. Only problem my daughter had the opposite effect. She cried in the carrier's . She is now 16 months old and still will not go in the carriers. I tried everything. She is like me ADD. All she wants to do is walk. It is a good thing although at 16 months you cant go far. I made a trail on my property 9 acres and I take her on that a lot. Good luck.

 

[weatherman]

Ages and stages

Age 0-1: On your back (or front), you can go anywhere if safe. Mileage: as long as your legs, food, diapers, daylight permit.
Age 1-2: They want to walk but can't fathom how to deal with a rock or root. Go by yourself, tag team and let your spouse go by themselves, trade off stories at the end of the day about your hikes, and have fun with Junior discovering moss, bugs, salamanders. Mileage: measured in things investigated, not distance.
Age 2-4: slow but fun. 1 mile is a large victory.
Age 4-5: "Daddy, can I go in the carrier again?" Hiding M&Ms every 100 yards helps.
Age 5+: who knows... it all depends.

YMMV.

Weatherman