Hiking After a Cesarean Birth

The joke among my friends for many years was that a depressing day for me was the same as most people’s emotional state on a good day. Then I turned 38, and I won’t go into details, but I reached a point where I couldn’t even talk to my life coach without crying, so she eventually suggestion medication. For the first time, I was depressed with a capital “D”. Things turned around eventually, and in 2013 I got married, became pregnant with my first child, and moved to Portland… an excellent change of scenery after years in Los Angeles. As my due date neared, I started to feel the old dark cloud edging back in. Everywhere I looked I saw stories on postpartum depression. People talked about it in my mama preparation classes and in prenatal yoga. I talked to my doctor about whether I could breastfeed and medicate once I had a child. I was convinced I was doomed to postpartum depression because the memories of my dark place were in the not-so-distant past. It’s estimated close to a million women a year suffer from postpartum depression. The news loves to latch on to stories about women who really go off the deep end. Publications like the Huffington Post and the New York Times often have stories about “lonely mama syndrome” where women wax on about how isolating it is to be a new parent. Believe me when I say that I read every one of those articles word-for-word. When my son arrived I was high with the euphoria of newborn love. But I was also weepy, overwhelmed, bleary eyed and hormone-whacked. One minute I was laughing at my baby pooping 12 times a day, and the next minute I was sobbing about my sore nipples and how exhausted I was. It didn’t help that my husband would just stand there looking at me like I was a stranger and say thing like, “Seriously what’s your problem? You are just sitting here nursing all day. It can’t be THAT tiring?” This, of course, was my mama-brained interpretation and would make me sob harder. The fear of depression was overwhelming. On about week three after Mason was born, I found myself sitting in a new mama group inside in the middle of summer. I heard myself complaining about my husband and how he just didn’t understand how tired I was and how scared I was of getting depressed. Everything was scary. I was scared of people on the street, cars getting to close to us on the freeway, lead poisoning in our windows, pretty much everything in the world was out to get my beautiful new baby. And as I thought and talked more about all of this, I could feel the symptoms of depression lingering darkly around the edges of my newborn bliss. As I looked out the window at the sunny July day I remember thinking, “What would happen if I got so depressed I couldn’t take care of Mason?” That’s when it dawned on me that the one thing that always made me feel a little better in the past when falling down the dark rabbit hole was sitting outside. Even if I did nothing, just sitting outside breathing fresh air made a difference. Then I thought, “what if we could be having this same experience of talking to each other about nursing and dealing with our new lives and our fears outside, instead of in this cozy, safe little room?” While it was lovely, it was also too sheltered and was not helping all of my depression anxiety. I asked the group if anyone wanted to go on a little hike with me. Nothing hard, just a half-mile trail down the street from my house. There was just one thing, I didn’t really know how to use my carrier, so I was scared to go alone. And it wasn’t really a very good stroller trail. The next week, armed with a ridiculous amount of stuff in my BOB stroller I went to a park near my house that had a mellow trail. For this “major” outing I brought a carrier, a days worth of diapers, diaper cream, water, food and who knows what else. Three women were waiting there at the trailhead and two more texted to say they were on the way. I was a bit shocked that they came. I was still nervous about carrying Mason, so I started out with the stroller on the hiking trail. Eventually we came to a place where it was obvious I needed to ditch the stroller and carry my son. These veteran mamas helped me slide Mason into the carrier, and off we went. I only made it about another 15 minutes before I got tired and turned around, but it was exhilarating to feel the dirt under my feet for that half of a mile. I felt my spirits rising, and I knew I wanted to do it the next week. The next day I woke up feeling overwhelmed about my husband working out of town for 3 weeks. That dark cloud was hovering in the back of my mind. Mark had gone out for the day, so I decided to go for a walk. I started with the neighborhood, pushing the stroller, but then as I neared the park, I decided to try stepping on to the trail. I locked up the stroller and asked a stranger passing by if she could help me buckle the back of my carrier. I tried to act nonchalant like I totally did this all the time. There were so many things going through my mind. What if Mason had a blow out? Did I bring enough stuff? I couldn’t carry anything but a baby in the carrier. What if I needed to nurse. I had only nursed in the privacy of my home at that point and was still struggling with it. What if he slipped down in the carrier or I just dropped him? What if a scary homeless dude was on the path? What would I do? As I got on trail, I felt the pressure still there in my chest, but with every step the fears and tears started melting away. It was so silent in the forest. The birds got louder, as did the bubbling water in the stream on the side of the trail. Everything was so green and lush in spite of the sweltering July heat. I felt Mason’s sweaty little nearly naked body snuggled up against me. I leaned down and kissed his head and breathed in the new baby smell. I moved so slowly, but with every step I felt a little lighter, a little calmer. That day I walked all the way up the trail to the stone house, doubling the distance I had done with the group the previous day. Along the way Mason got hungry, and I stopped and asked a random couple to unbuckle the carrier. I took my wailing baby to a quiet place off the trail and sat down to nurse. I was nervous and not as graceful as I would have liked, but I did get enough milk in Mason to appease him and get back home. And when my husband came home and I announced that I went hiking alone, I felt so proud of myself. The next week, ten women showed up to join me. It seemed I wasn’t alone in feeling the need to commune with nature and “hike it out”. As the weeks progressed my circle of friends widened and new faces showed up to hike with us. I also noticed something shifting in me. With every hike, I felt physically stronger and the dark clouds moved further and further away from me. In June, we celebrated our son’s second birthday on a hike with 30 or so friends whom we had met through hiking with our children. It was a sweltering day, much like those first days I ventured into the woods with Mason. As we approached a shady forested stretch and I watched Mason running and laughing and looked around at all of the smiling families around me, all I could think was how happy I was. The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other in an effort to evade depression got me here. It’s may be a cliché, but the first step truly is the hardest. Once you take it, you’ll notice how quickly the path will open up in front of you and the clouds will lift. Tips for Successfully Getting on the Trail Create a regular hike/walk day. Try to plan at least two hikes a week. (If you plan two, you’ll likely make it to at least one.) Pack the night before so you don’t use the next morning’s chaos as an excuse to stay inside and skip it. Choose a mantra for the trail. As heavier thoughts or stressful things enter your mind, go back to that word and look at the trail. Try to leave the cell phone out of reach so you can enjoy the hike. Find a hike buddy who will help keep you accountable and get you out there. Don’t let your gear hold you back. Think used, think simple, think repurpose. I put my old cashmere socks on my baby’s legs over his clothes and booties to keep him warm on cold days! Keep it close to home. No need to go on an epic journey to find adventure. Some of my best days hiking were no more than a few miles from my house. Don’t get hung up with weather. Rainy day? Carry an umbrella on trail. Too hot? Look for shady trails and water features. Find groups like Hike it Baby (or start one in your area) to help get you out on days you just don’t feel like it. Shanti Hodges hikes between 3-10 miles a week on average and tries to get outside with Mason at least 3 days a week year round. In spite of being viewed as a hike addict, she is not afraid to admit that she needs the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge to motivate herself out on the bad days! Her secret to getting out on days she's not feeling it and there isn't a challenge going on is to text a handful of her hike buddies and get them to guilt or motivate her out the door.  This article first appeared in Green Child Magazine. Check them out for awesome stories about healthy parenting. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

Last year, Mark and Mason went on a father/son trip in search of epic hot springs. Over the course of a week, they visited four hot springs in Oregon. It was nice to have a break from parenting, but the jealousy I had from their amazing pictures made me realize how I never would have thought to go on a hot springs tour with Mason. (His dad is the creative one when it comes to thinking of big adventures.) While some people are nervous about babies in hot springs, we have found over the years there are varying degrees of springs – from very rustic to well established. But all of these, in our opinion, are kiddo-friendly. Here’s a handful of springs west of the Rockies to consider if you find yourself nearby.   7 Kid-friendly hot springs west of the Rockies 1. Saratoga Hot Springs, Utah County GPS: N40° 21' 11", W111°, SD-53, SD Saratoga Springs is a very family-friendly hot spring that you can get to with maybe half a mile hike. Located on the border of Utah County and Salt Lake County on the northwest side of Utah Lake, it’s close to Inlet Park. “The water wasn’t stinky and was relatively clear. My son loved the copious amounts of roly polys along the way,” said Katie Rains. Make sure to bring a plastic bag to put your clothes on, especially during shoulder seasons, as it can get pretty muddy around the edge of the springs. This springs stays relatively untrafficked, so other than maybe weekend evenings, you should be able to soak easily. 2. Miracle Hot Springs Address: 19073A U.S. 30, Buhl, ID 83316 While natural hot springs always make for a fun adventure, it’s also nice to visit established springs as well, especially if you are nervous about how your kiddo will do in the hot springs. Miracle Hot Springs is a very kid-friendly establishment in between Twin Falls and Boise that you can visit for the day or stay over. They have fun dome tent-like structures and camping options available. One of the reasons we like this springs is because it definitely feels clean and well taken care of. The design of the pools is adobe-style and feels more like New Mexico than Idaho. There are hot, medium and super kid-friendly temps. There are also private rooms you can rent to get away from the crowds and tub alone. Random side note: Don’t miss out on visiting the massive caged alligator located on the hot springs grounds. Fifth Water Hot Springs 3. Fifth Water Hot Springs Address: Diamond Fork Rd, Springville, UT 84663 Located at the three forks trailhead in Diamond Fork Canyon, this popular natural soaking area is a bit of a hike (2.5 miles one way) so plan on carrying kiddos or only consider if they are good walkers. The road in is closed during snowy months, so this is not an all-season stop unless you have a 4-wheel drive and then it’s still questionable. This hot springs has a number of pools varying in temperature. It can get pretty crowded on the weekends, so if you are able to visit midweek, consider this. Nudity is frowned upon in this area, so please respect this. 4. Crystal Crane Hot Springs Address: 59315 OR-78, Burns, OR 97720 Southern Oregon has a handful of amazing hot springs to visit, with Crystal Crane being one of them. This tub is a big pond with affordable cabins and rooms scattered around it. There’s a community cook area and lounge, as well as a campground if you want to go super budget. The nice thing about this spot is it’s one place that would be hard pressed to fill up because the pond is truly a pond in size. It’s also right off the side of the highway and an easy-to-get-to springs, which makes it great for family adventures with little ones. 5. Alvord Hot Springs Address: 36095 E Steens Rd, Princeton, OR 97721 Located in the middle of a flat cracked desert that has a moon-like appearance, you drive out across the open land to the hot springs and rustic campground. This is a small hot springs that could potentially fill up quickly on a busy weekend; but during the week it’s quieter. This one is pretty remote, but you won’t be alone out here. Plan on bringing everything with you as civilization is not nearby. Do not visit this area if it has recently rained or might rain. You are guaranteed to get stuck as the desert turns to mud quickly.   Hart Mountain Hot Springs 6. Hart Mountain Hot Springs 42°30'05.9"N 119°41'22.3"W This is a remote hot springs that you have to travel down a dirt road for a while, but it can be done in a 2-wheel drive. There’s free camping and an outhouse, so plan on making this an overnighter. It’s in the middle of a wildlife refuge so you might catch a glimpse of an antelope or see coyotes playing in the fields surrounding the springs. Wild Willy's AKA Crowley Hot Springs 7. Wild Willy’s / Crowley Hot Springs Located near Bishop, CA, a popular rock climbing mecca and just down the road from Mammoth Ski Area, this hot springs is an Instagram regular for “vanlifers,” but it’s also super accessible, making it a family-friendly hangout. To get to this one, follow Benton Crossing Road about 2.5 miles until you get to a parking area. There’s a short boardwalk that will take you to the springs. The pool is big enough to hold about 30 people. You can also camp here if you so desire. Tips for Springing with Baby 1. If you visit a "wild" hot springs, check for updated info on any known bacterial issues in the area. BLM and U.S. Forest Service offices are a good resource for this info. 2. Bring a large plastic bag (or two) to put stuff in and on and to change baby. Also be awesome and hike any trash you see out at the end with that huge bag you brought! 3. Start with hot springs that are easier to get to versus going for one that is a hike out. This way you can gauge how your child will do in the hot springs. 4. Please use a very secure swim diaper and be conscious of the fact that warm water often makes kids poop! If your little one hasn't had a bowel movement for the day, consider this and keep a close eye on them. 5. Be aware of the "energy" in the hot springs and if you have a crying baby, maybe go for a walk and come back in a bit. People are often at hot springs for the quiet, meditative experience. Read More: How to navigate desert hiking 3 Amazing hikes for young children in Oregon What are some of your favorite hot springs to visit? We'd love to add hear in the comments below. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.