Babies on trail: 4 ways to feed your baby on a hike

“I want to go home!” whined my almost 3-year-old as he sat down in a huff on the trail. My usually adventurous little dude had lost his desire to explore, and I couldn’t blame him. It was a hot, humid summer morning in upstate New York, and we were only about a half-mile into our hike. I realized then that I had made a number of mistakes when planning this adventure: 1) I chose a trail that had little shade and no water, 2) We started the hike later than expected and it got hot FAST, and 3) There wasn't enough water. I decided to forgo the rest of the hike, strapped my kiddo on my back in a carrier, and quickly made my way back to the air-conditioned car. I needed to re-think and better prepare for hiking in summer and the weather it brings! Whether you are hiking, camping, playing at the beach or taking in a gorgeous sunset, summer is a wonderful time of year for families to enjoy outdoor fun in the sun. However, as temperatures increase, it can be hard to enjoy the outdoors with the constant “it’s too hot!” complaints coming from our tiniest explorers. Whether you have a baby in a carrier or an older child, here are some tips and tricks from our Hike it Baby community for keeping your kiddos cool on the trail in summer. Location and timing are everything We started doing shorter toddler walking/carrier hikes to alpine lakes where we can take a nice break to cool down! – Shari, Reno-Tahoe, NV I have a 1.5-year-old who is mostly in the carrier. We go early in the morning to beat the bugs and heat, and typically go for a trail with a water source. This time of year, we stay away from the beaches because of tourists, so we cool off in streams and freshwater ponds. – Lauren, Rhode Island We go in the morning and try for shaded trails or trails near a splash pad for the kids to get wet after. I also want to add that kids who wake up at the crack of dawn helps. LOL – Tracy, Louisville, KY Water parks and shorter hikes that begin or end somewhere with A/C, such as a coffee shop. – Jeannie, Kansas City, MO We include water of some sort in most of our hot-weather hikes. Hikes that don't include a water element start earlier. I like to be done or onto the water portion by 10:30 a.m. We wear loose-fitting natural fibers and hats. And of course, we pack plenty of water. We usually fill our water bladder with ice on hot days. – Courtney, Charleston/Lowcountry, SC Peppermint oil on the back of the neck! Hikes near creeks or shaded places. We also tend to hike earlier in the morning, but we are from the land of the midnight sun. So it’s hot all day! – Juliana, Fairbanks, AK Carrier tricks When putting the kids in soft carriers, I tend to strip them down to just shorts (and sunscreen). That way they have fewer layers. Mine get super hot easily and this seems to help. In strollers (if they let me), a muslin blanket helps shade them and keep bugs out. – Tracey, Anchorage, AK A towel wrapped in an ice pack between baby and me while I wear her. – Martha, Annapolis, MD For my son, I 86 the pants and shoes and utilize the sunshade on our pack. I carry a water bladder that we share to keep us hydrated and him entertained. – Lauren, Rhode Island My second child was born in May and she went hiking a lot her first 6 months. I could not have lived without our Luv Bug UPF towel. It is thin and light, has a hood, and is UPF 50+. I'd have baby in a onesie, put her in our wrap, put the towel hood over her head, tie the side corners around my waist, and then tuck the bottom corner under the carrier. Her entire body was protected from the sun and we were both comfy! – Vanessa, San Diego, CA I’d use the Osprey sun shade so she didn’t have to wear a hat.– Sandy, South King County, WA The mesh Lillebaby toddler carrier has helped keep us cool on long hikes. – Cherise, Eugene, OR For carriers, I stick to single layer carries in a cotton or linen woven wrap and ring slings, and my husband uses a Kinderpack with koolknit. While babywearing in the heat, especially with younger babies, dressing them in one less layer of clothing than yourself (often just a diaper) and frequent breaks are the best way to prevent over heating. – Courtney, Charleston/Lowcountry, SC Clothing and accessories to keep you cool Two favorites: misters and umbrellas. I bought this professional hair mister on Amazon. It provides continuous fine mist for 3 seconds each spray. I've found some pretty cool pump misters on lanyards at the county fair; there’s so many misters you can’t just have one. Evapotranspiration baby. Also a rain umbrella shades you and baby WAY better than the hat they will pull off. – Christine, Reno-Tahoe, NV We have been using a Luv Bug towel with a hood. SPF 50 makes me feel like he's protected on the beach and in the sun. When we hike in full sun, we toss it over him. If you get it wet first, it adds a layer of cooling moisture. It's a swimsuit-like material so it's very lightweight. – Kyla, Vancouver, WA Frogg Togg neck coolers, a portable fan that can clip on either stroller, frame carrier and even SSCs. If I can find breathable sunshirts, I try to use those. I keep myself as cool as possible so I’m not sweating on them. I sometimes wear a sun shirt that is very breathable meant for horseback riding. – Keira, Lexington, KY Hats, popsicles, Frogg Toggs! – Mindy, Myrtle Beach/Conway, SC I've been known to soak the hat before putting it on to keep my 3-year-old cool. Also, use bandanas you can get wet and wear around your neck. It's not heat-related exactly but I also prefer using a zinc stick sunscreen on my kids' faces (mine too). I've found it runs less with sweat than other options even if they do look like Casper when I put it on. – Jeannie, Kansas City, MO Cold snacks End with getting ice cream! – Juliana, Fairbanks, AK Cold, juicy fruits to snack on. – Martha, Annapolis, MD Frozen yogurt tubes are our go-to summer snack. While on the trail they melt a bit but still end up being a cool snack. – Jennifer, Houston, TX Frozen grapes! – Lacey, Kanai Peninsula, AK Be prepared I’d carry 3+ liters of water for a day hike, 2 liters in a bladder and the other in a water bottle. Leave a couple hydroflasks in the car full of ice water for a refreshing drink when you get back to the trailhead! Hike to lakes so you can all cool off when you have lunch and bring extra socks for yourself, putting sweaty wool socks back on is terrible. – Sandy, South King County, WA We like to freeze small Gatorade bottles and take them with us to enjoy in the middle of the hike or at the top of a peak. They are super refreshing! We also try to keep a small cooler with colder drinks and snacks in the car to enjoy a picnic after the hike. Be sure to know the signs of heat exhaustion and how to treat it just in case. – Becca, Kistsap Peninsula, WA How do you keep your little explorers cool on the trail in summer? Let us know in the comments below! Read more: Benefits and Tips for Enjoying Water Play this Summer 10 Fun Ways to Keep Cool this Summer How to pack trail snacks for hiking in summer Photos by Kyla Phillips and Arika Bauer. 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

Does the thought of babywearing on rainy days sound like a daunting, seemingly impossible task? You’re not alone. When I was a Hike it Baby Branch Ambassador in the Pacific Northwest, we always saw a steep decline in participation once the rainy season started. However, once we started posting photos of hiking in the rain with a baby strapped to us, we started getting questions about how we do it: How do you keep your baby dry? How do you keep yourself dry? Doesn’t that ruin your carrier? And so on. Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions and more along with the benefits of hiking in the rain and tips from our amazing Hike it Baby community. Benefits of Babywearing in the Rain To help convince you it’s a good idea to hit the trail or pavement on rainy days, let’s start with some of the awesome benefits of getting your family outside in the rain: Fresh Air Fresh air is good for the body and the soul, rain or shine. It reduces stress, promotes better sleep, and can boost Vitamin D intake (yes, even on rainy days). If you live in an area that has long winters or rainy seasons, time in nature can help prevent and ease seasonal depression. To find out more about the benefits of getting out in nature, check out this article. Clouds and rain can make the temperature more bearable Clouds can have both a cooling and warming effect. On hot summer days, clouds can block the light and heat from the sun, making the temperature cooler. During the colder months, clouds can trap the heat from the sun, making the temperature warmer. Even with the added precipitation, you can enjoy milder outdoor temperatures, which can make a hike more enjoyable. Fewer Crowds Hiking is generally not the first activity that comes to mind on a rainy day for most people. However, fewer people on the trails makes for a more peaceful hike and more parking spots. I have found that a dreary day is the best time to visit the more popular hiking spots! Wildlife Spotting One of my favorite things about hiking in the rain is that you get to see critters you wouldn’t normally spot on a sunny day. Amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, love the rain since their skin is sensitive to moisture. They usually hide or hang out near the water on hot, sunny days, but they come out to play when the rain clouds roll in. In addition, you’ll likely see plenty of slugs and snails, which are fun to watch as they slowly move across the path leaving trails of slime behind. A Lesson in Resilience Even as babies, our children are watching our every move and learning life lessons along the way. Showing them that you are willing to go through the effort to suit up and get out of the house regardless of weather will teach them that there’s no such thing as “bad” weather.  It shows that even though something is “hard” or takes effort and planning, it’s still worth doing. This mindset can help positively influence them as they grow and experience life. It’s Majestic There is something special and unique about hiking on rainy or wet days. The air smells fresh from the rain and soaked earth, the water droplets make the trees sparkle, and the sound of rainfall is soothing. It’s a delight for the senses! My older son would fall asleep in the carrier almost every time we hiked in the rain. Tips for Baby Wearing in the Rain Now that we know the benefits of getting out in rainy weather, let’s look at how it can be done safely, even with very young babies. Keep in mind that you always want to make sure that your baby’s airway is unobstructed, so be sure that any hoods, covers, etc. are not covering their face. Keeping Baby Warm and Dry The most important thing to remember about babywearing in the rain is to make sure your baby is warm enough (but not too warm). While babywearing, you will inevitably transfer some of your heat to baby. This can reduce the number of layers needed for both the baby and the adult wearing them. Check out this article for more information on how to layer when babywearing in chilly weather. Here are some tried and true tips and hacks for keeping your baby warm and dry from our wonderful Hike it Baby community. Invest in a Babywearing Jacket While they do come with a price tag, babywearing jackets allow you to take the guesswork out of keeping both you and baby warm. Many have both front and back carrying options, so it can grow with baby as they get big enough for a back carry. Check out this article on babywearing jacket options we love.  Love your own jacket? They even make zip-in panels that extend the size of your jacket to accommodate babywearing. “A waterproof babywearing jacket is a huge help! We have the Suse’s Kinder Deluxe, which zips apart to fleece and waterproof shell for mild weather, or you can put them together for truly cold weather. It has child panels for front/back/hip carries so it’s truly versatile.” – Gaila, Ames, IA Use a Multifunctional Carrier Cover Various companies make covers for baby carriers that keep baby warm and dry. Just be sure that the cover is listed as waterproof rather than water-resistant (unless you plan to double up on these hacks and use one of the next two options as well). Many of these covers can also be used as blankets, which is a huge bonus when you want to reduce the amount of baby “stuff” you have to lug around. “I wish the Jan and Jul company had their rain cover when my son was a baby because it's absolutely amazing and you can use it more than just with the baby carrier! The moms in our branch use it to change diapers by laying it on the ground then baby on top. You can use it as a waterproof blanket to protect and keep baby warm in their car seat, stroller, wagon, or wherever baby is!” –  Joey, Provo, UT Use Spare Rain Gear to Keep Baby Dry Not ready to invest in more gear? Why not use what you already have? This is one of our favorite hacks because it’s so simple and yet so effective! Many soft-structured baby carriers have straps that unbuckle, so all you have to do is unbuckle the straps, thread them through the arms of a rain jacket, buckle the straps again and you’re set! The rain jacket can also be tucked in around the carrier if the straps don’t unbuckle. Then, simply slip the hood over baby’s head, and voila! Baby stays dry and they can grow into the rain jacket. “Slip the straps of a carrier through a jacket to keep baby protected. It works with any size coat about 3T and up. I've done it with down coats and fleece on cold, dry days and with up to an adult size raincoat on wet days.. also makes for cute babywearing costumes.” – Nicholl, Portsmouth, NH” “Use an adult rain jacket to place over the child's head and the carrier if you are wearing them face first.” – Juliana, Fairbanks, AK Photo Credit Nicholl Summers And if All Else Fails, Bring an Umbrella There is nothing wrong with bringing along a collapsible umbrella in case of rain. This can give you peace of mind in case it starts raining more than predicted or if you are worried that baby will get too wet. They fold up neatly, and you can strap them to your carrier with a carabiner to keep your hands free when not in use. Keeping Yourself Warm and Dry If you’re like me, you tend to put the comfort of your child first and forget all about your own needs. However, coming prepared with the appropriate gear for yourself means you can stay out longer and go farther without dealing with discomfort from soaked shoes or soggy pants. Check out these tips for keeping yourself warm and dry on those rainy hikes. Waterproof Yourself At the bare minimum, make sure that you have a waterproof jacket and waterproof footwear. If it’s still chilly where you are, check out this article on layering for the whole family. If possible, buy some actual rain pants. You would be surprised how wet your pants can get while babywearing in the rain! “Rain pants for the babywearer for sure! And a big umbrella is what I usually do with a younger baby. Older kiddos get their own rain suit and I use a carrier like my Integra Solar that is made of quicker-drying material”. – Karole, Northern VA “I’m from Oregon, I always use rain pants for myself. Otherwise my butt and upper thighs would be soaked from the rain dripping off our rain gear”. – Tiffany, Oregon Borrow Rain Gear in a Larger Size Sometimes the easiest thing to do in a pinch is reach inside the closet of your spouse, father, or friend and borrow a rain jacket in a larger size. Just make sure it’s large enough to zip over yourself and your baby in their carrier but be sure it’s not covering your baby’s airway. “Borrowing my husband's rain jacket!” – Leah, Hampton Roads, VA Protecting Your Carrier The vast majority of baby carriers are machine washable, meaning that they won’t be ruined by getting soaked with rain. However, a wet carrier can get uncomfortable for the wearer along with the child (not to mention if you want to use the carrier again later in the day). Here are some tips for keeping your carrier dry while enjoying a rainy stroll. Purchase a Waterproof Carrier Cover Most carrier companies have waterproof covers that you can slip over the carrier to stay dry. They usually come with a hood to slip over baby’s head and an extra pocket you can slip your hands in to stay dry. You can also find generic brands online that work for most carriers. The Raincoat Hack I realize we already mentioned this hack, but it not only keeps your child dry, but it can also protect your carrier by covering both the body and the straps. “With a soft structure carrier where the straps unbuckle (Onya, Ergo, Kinderpack, etc.) you can slip a toddler size rain jacket over the straps and then you have a rain protected Carrier!” – Rachel, Charleston, SC Photo Credit Rachel Young Using these tips and hacks, “intolerable weather” can turn into yet another family adventure filled with memories and fun.  Do you have extra tips for babywearing in the rain? Let us know 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