Tips for Joining or Leading a Hike for the First Time

Eds Note: This is the first of a 3 part series on hiking with little ones. As first time parents we had numerous friends tell us (in a loving way) that we should get used to the idea that our hiking days are now behind us. As a family of two, we had always been into the outdoors and you'd usually find us every weekend or vacation somewhere on a mountaintop, trekking, hiking and climbing in the woods. That's what we were known for. And we had a family saying to prove that: "the couple that hikes together, stays together!" was what we always said to each other. Although I kept a very active lifestyle during the pregnancy, hiking 3-4 miles in the beautiful Northwest until my 39th week, those words got me thinking and I was wondering myself if we would still be able to do that once the baby came. We said to ourselves that we'll just have to wait and see, take one day at a time and so we did. Once the baby was born (via C-section although I really hoped and believed in a no medicated-natural-labor plan) it took a couple of weeks to get back on my feet and ready to enjoy the outdoors again. Well, after being cooped up in the house all that time, you can imagine how for an avid hiker that can lead to a pretty severe case of cabin fever, so although my doctor didn't quite clear me for hiking at three weeks post-partum, he also wasn't totally against it knowing how active I was throughout my pregnancy. While, I had been taking walks around the neighborhood every day during those first three weeks, the woods were calling and I had the insatiable need to get out adventuring again. Our first hike with our brand newborn was to the top of Multnomah Falls - the most magnificent and memorable 542-foot waterfall you'll ever see! Most tourist will advance up to the Benson Bridge, with a paved trail leading them there, but for me, that was more like a walk-in-the-park and I needed to reach the top to feel like I'm hiking again. Multnomah Falls Which we did successfully, with no health repercussion to myself or the baby and that's because we took our time to reach the top while the baby wooed and cooed and slept for the entire 2.6 miles round-trip duration of our hike. That being said, you're probably asking yourself ok so you did it but how do I choose the right trail? When will I know if my baby is ready to adventure out? Finding Child Friendly Trails You're best bet is sticking with close friends who will be sensitive to your recent birth or seek out groups like Hike It Baby. (Make sure you join the private Facebook group to really get in with the community and if there isn't a Hike it Baby in your area yet it's easy to form one) Going with parents that have already tried those trails and can give you excellent tips is smart. Do Your Research Before You Go You should always research the trail you're planning to take so you can prepare appropriately. But also be prepared to hit and miss because to some extent, you really won't know whether a hike is child-friendly or interesting for you until you get there. What may seem like an "easy" trail in a hike guide, may not be accounting for carrying 10-40 pounds of baby on your body. Keep it Short in the Beginning Our first hikes with our baby were anywhere between 1 to 3 miles round trip. We worked our way up from there. Because of our active life-style, my physical condition has always been great and I never shied away from a good workout. But remember you just had a baby so it's ok to take it easy. This is the one time in your life where a mile might be enough of a hike. Savor these slow walks. You're in charge of your own body and you need to be able to use common sense when you're out hiking so you don't over do it. Pay Attention to the Natural Elements What's the weather doing? Are you in an area that can shift quickly? Prepare for that. Bring rain gear, sun gear, bug gear. If there is a waterfall on the hike how close will you be getting to it and could you potentially end up a little damp on the hike? Is the hike in the trees or exposed. If it's exposed could there be lightening or wind? While these things might thwart some hikes, there are bound to be plenty of hikes where these things can be avoided. What to Look For in the Beginning 1. Open wide trails that are gentle and rolling and will make you feel confident, not discouraged. 2. Covered hikes like Tryon Creek in Portland for example offer lots of tree coverage which can protect you from rain and sun. 3. A bathroom or nature center is nice in case you need to change the baby or just take a break. Audubon Society in Portland has a great place for this. So does Eagle River Nature Center outside of Anchorage. 4. Trails with great scenery that will get you excited to be back out there! Look for something peaceful and beautiful like a bird sanctuary or a nature preserve that is quiet and will be nice for your new little one (who will most likely sleep through the hike. 5. Start with a trail that has people on it so you don't feel nervous about being out there alone. It's not your fault if every twig that falls or creepy person in the parking lot makes you worry. This is part of your new Mama bear emotional state. That mellows with time so just know that it's ok to start with a well traveled trail. Keep it simple and easy to start!   Anka is a full-time Portland, OR working mom that treasures the most the special moments spent outdoors with her husband and 15-month old son, Apollo. In weekends you will always find them hiking or biking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and later blog about their son's adventures on their personal blog: http://hike-a-tot.tumblr.com/.

Arika Bauer / Zion Adventure Photog As the founder of Hike it Baby, an organization dedicated to getting kids on trail from birth to school-age, people often think adventuring outdoors with a newborn must have come naturally to me. Or they assume I was just a hardcore outdoors person pre-baby. Nope. Neither was the case. While I now may look like a seasoned veteran with my now 5-year-old, I only got to this place from a lot of trial and error and advice from others around me. Now I feel it’s my duty to pay this knowledge forward, so here goes for those of you who are hesitant to get on trail with your little one. Streamline Bring what you really need on trail and nothing more. Two diapers if you have an explosive baby. One bottom change or a onesie. The top won’t usually get soiled. One bottle. Leave the rest in the car. If you have to carry extra, how can you make it lighter? Collapsible water bottles for example can be a great way to keep your load lighter. Carriers are key A quality carrier can make or break whether or not your little one likes to hike. Hand-me-downs are great, but when it comes to carriers, if you want to get out a lot, do the research. Try a lot of brands and don’t get one just because it’s cute. Get it because it’s functional and will let you hike an hour or more comfortably without back pain. Twig and Lens Photography / Laura Castro An infant usually won’t complain about being snuggled up against your chest on hikes. A toddler, however, might throw a fit. Make sure as your child evolves, so does your carrier. When Mason was an infant, we used a Baby K'Tan because it was like a sling but had some support and was easy to get on and off on trail. Then we graduated to an Onya Baby for lumbar support as our nugget got heavier. Now we switch between that and a Deuter frame carrier depending on the type of hike and weather. The frame carrier isn’t good for a lot of ups and downs (if this is your child), but it’s great for protection from sun, rain or snow or you need space to carry things. Don't Forget the teethers and a blanket! Teething babies are no fun on trail, so remember your teething beads. Make sure they are on a necklace or tether so you won't lose it midway through a hike as well. A teether keeps them busy and calm while teething and the soft blanket is a perfect place to put your precious one on a hike break! If you haven't tried a chewy of some sort yet and you are experiencing a regularly super fussy baby, sore gums could be the cause. Pick your trail wisely What may once have been a short hike for you, now could be a pretty epic adventure with a fussy baby. Gauge how your little one is doing. Stop often, and if things are going well, honestly assess a turnaround point. Better to start heading back early over having a super unhappy child to battle with at the end of a hike. Snack it up If you are at the eating phase, bring snacks you know will work. Don’t experiment with new foods on trail. A hangry (hungry and angry) baby is not a fun hiking partner. I often travel with lollipops or gummy bears on trail so if things are going bad, I have an emergency solution. My son isn’t food-driven, but a little bit of sweets on trail will often calm down a tantrum so we can redirect. Photo: Anka Trifan Bottle feeding If you don’t nurse and need to carry milk there are lots of solutions for keeping it cold and warm. Start with frozen packs and put them in your clothes to warm up during the hike with body heat. Also, look into the soup-sized thermoses (Hydroflask makes a good one) and put hot water in. Add a cold bottle to that and heat the bottle, then drop a tea bag in and you are set. Pumping on trail It is possible to pump on trail! There are great small hand pumps that allow you to pump then add a nipple and serve. Easy as that. Look for a nice out-of-the-way bench or a tree in the woods, lay baby down and pump away. I often found myself so relaxed in the woods that my milk flow increased. Could be all of that oxygen and exercise? Find a community Having a community to help motivate you and show you new trails makes it so much easier. Even now after three years of hiking all around Portland, people in my hike group still continually introduce me to new trails. Also, the more kids on a hike together, especially at that 3- to 5-year-old stage, the more likely they are to motivate each other. We have seen 5-year-olds hike six miles because there were other kids to keep them moving. Different trails for different ages As your child ages up, different trails will work for him or her better. With little ones, you can hike almost anywhere with good footing. As they get older, you'll want to be aware of steep drop-offs, a lot of turns in the trail and things like falling rocks and slippery roots. New walkers are unbalanced, and while trails are excellent training ground for them, if they fall over every other step, it can be frustrating for them. Look at the trail you're adventuring on with a child’s eye. Look at the ground and what’s in the way. A little incline for you might be Mt. Everest for a 2-year-old. Songs and bubbles One of the easiest ways to deal with child meltdowns is serious distractions. Bubbles and songs can help a lot with this. I am a terrible singer but I have gotten pretty good at “Wheels on the Bus” and “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” (this is a book that has a song-like feel). Bubbles combined with song can really help move the hike along and get you through rough patches. If all else fails, bribe them I know, this seems like a bad idea because you want your kiddo to love nature just because it's nature. But the reality is there are those days when lollipops are just part of the program. I keep some in my glove box for when we are having "those" days. I don't have to resort to them all the time, but when I really want to hike and my son doesn't, out they come. Share with us in the comments below some ways you get your kids on trail. Read more: 9 Tips for soothing a cranky baby on the trail Hiking with a newborn This post is sponsored by QALO.