Children


Hillwalking with a Baby

There's no need to let a new baby stop you from hillwalking, says Laura Karpyte, but of course trips as a new family will need to be approached very differently from your pre-sprog days. From route choice and planning, to the massive variety of clothing and carrier options, here are her tips picked up from her first few months of baby steps.

This article is adapted from a post on Laura's blog Into the Hills and Beyond.


Hillwalking has become an important part of my life, so when I became pregnant, I was worried in case this was something I would have to give up. I started searching for stories of other hiking mums and families. The results were not particularly plentiful, but the stories that I found were encouraging and helpful for planning our first trips into the hills with the baby, and making sure that she stays comfortable and safe.

I would like to look at and how things have worked out for us so far, and share some tips we've picked up.

On Stob Binnein, our first Munro with a baby  © Laura Karpyte
On Stob Binnein, our first Munro with a baby
© Laura Karpyte

When is it a good time to head back to the hills?

Obviously this is a very individual matter that will depend very much on Mum's recovery, how the baby is doing, previous experience and fitness, time of the year, and other factors. It is not a competition of getting out earlier than someone else or trying to prove something to yourself. A good time to head back to the hills is simply when you and your baby are ready. However I would be hesitant to go on big long hikes before six weeks post-partum, even if everything seemed great: start gently and see how things go.

In our case, I am grateful that my pregnancy and labour went quite well. I was able to stay active throughout my pregnancy and once the coronavirus lockdown eased a bit, we went hillwalking to the Pentlands less than a week before our baby was born. My labour was relatively uncomplicated, although I still needed a few stitches. Overall, I had a smooth recovery and our baby was doing well. She was also sleeping enough for us not to feel extremely sleep deprived and she enjoyed being carried in a baby carrier pretty much right from the start.

I've got my rucksack Mum, where's yours? Photo: Dan Bailey  © Dan Bailey
I've got my rucksack Mum, where's yours? Photo: Dan Bailey

As a result of all this, we were able to get out for our first ~2h walk to a local country park at the start of week two. Since then, we gradually progressed to longer walks, and including some small hills. We started off with a local small hill – Corstorphine Hill, and later included slightly longer hikes with more elevation gain, such as the popular Conic Hill near Loch Lomond. After seven weeks we felt ready to start including some bigger hills and went up a corbett The Goet (Ben Tirran) at seven weeks, and Stob Binnein at eight weeks - our first Munro with a baby. This gradual approach gave me enough time to recover, and gave us time to figure out what works well for us and where our limits lie.

We know that we have been very lucky to get back to the hills so quickly and it may not be possible for everyone - and that is OK. Everyone's story is slightly different and is no better or worse because of that.

In my case, I found it helpful and encouraging to see a women's physio for a postnatal check-up. I would really recommend doing that since they can both check for common issues and give you advice on good exercises for getting back to your normal activities, such as hillwalking.

Just after nursing, at the foot of An Socach  © Laura Karpyte
Just after nursing, at the foot of An Socach
© Laura Karpyte

Route Choice

Route choice when going hillwalking with a baby will likely be a bit different from what it used to be before the baby, and there are a number of factors that you need to consider:

  • The age of the baby and how long s/he is happy to stay carried (note that some carriers should not be used for an extended amount of time, make sure to check the instructions for your carrier);
  • Length of the route and how often you will need to stop for breaks;
  • Weather forecast – what kind of weather is fine for you/what kind of weather you should avoid and how this relates to the complexity and length of the route;
  • Mum's stage of recovery as well as general fitness and experience of everyone in the hiking party;
  • Distance to the start of the route and how well your baby handles travelling. However long you might need to travel to the start point for your hike, it would be a good idea to consider possible locations for breaks (even if you think you will not need to stop for breaks).

Frequent breaks should help keep everyone happy  © Penny Orr
Frequent breaks should help keep everyone happy
© Penny Orr

A lot of these factors call for some experience to make good decisions, thus it is always a great idea to do some simple easy hikes at the start to figure out how everything works (or doesn't) in your particular case and then slowly progress to more challenging trips. These factors will also change as your baby gets older, perhaps not in a way you might expect, for example it might be easier to go on a long hike with a young baby that is content to sleep most of the way than with a small toddler that wants to explore everything.

Personally, I try to plan two route options in different parts of the country and then we check the weather forecast a day or two before the intended hiking day and go for the one where the weather is better.

When considering the factors above, I also try to choose a route that:

  • Has options for making it easier or harder.
  • Could be easily shortened if the weather gets poor or it is more difficult than anticipated, or the route could be extended to include additional points of interest if everything is going great and we fancy a longer hike.
  • Has multiple points of interest and the top of the hill is not necessarily the main one. This ensures that even if he have to go for an 'easier' option, we will still have a great satisfying walk. This would also make the route more interesting for later stages when a sleepy baby turns into an inquisitive toddler.
  • Does not have major river crossings. This is especially important if a river would need to be crossed on the way back and there is a possibility of it not being easily crossable (for instance, due to unexpected increase in water levels). Major detours to find a suitable crossing and/or slightly sketchy river-crossings are something I would rather avoid while carrying a baby.
  • If possible, does not include lengthy steep descents. If steep ground is covered and the intended destination has a number of options for getting there, steep ascents and more gradual descents are much gentler on the knees and hips, especially when carrying a baby (this is even more important for mums still recovering from pregnancy and labour).

Our Hillwalking Routine

Over the course of a number of hikes we have settled into a kind of routine.

Before the walk: We get our bags, clothes, and breakfast ready on the day before and try to leave early to allow time for breaks while travelling and getting the baby ready for the hike. We try to make sure that our drive is not longer than two hours and plan in some extra time on top of that for any breaks (for us, a 2h drive would often include a break at some point which will bring the length of the journey to around 2.5h). Once we get to our location, we feed the baby, give her a change and add any additional layers as needed.

During the walk: Our baby is generally happy to be carried for around 1.5 – 2.5h before she gets hungry. On a particularly warm day, a baby might need to feed more often and it is important to make sure that they stay hydrated and also to stay hydrated yourself. Throughout the hike we also regularly check her position to make sure that she is sitting in the right position and her airways are uncovered. We also check how she feels temperature-wise and adjust the layers as needed.

Our baby enjoying a good stretch on a convenient boulder  © Laura Karpyte
Our baby enjoying a good stretch on a convenient boulder
© Laura Karpyte

When we have been hiking for around 1.5h or when she starts showing signs of being hungry or being unsettled for some reason, we start looking for a good sheltered spot where we could have a break (or something kind of sheltered but not too much if some midges are around!). Nursing stops also give the baby a bit of a break from the carrier and an opportunity for us to check if any nappy changes are needed. Each stop tends to last around 15 – 30min. When we plan our days out, we add this time to the estimated time for the day to get a better idea of how long the whole route will take us. After each break, we swap who carries the baby which means that both of us regularly get a break from carrying.

After the walk: We strip any layers that would be too warm in the car and also feed the baby and give her a nappy change. If her clothing feels damp due to getting sweaty, we also give her a full clothing change to make sure that she stays comfortable during the car journey. Once we get home, the baby gets a nice relaxing bath.

Packing for the Baby

Needless to say, you will need to carry a few extra items if you are going hillwalking with a baby. What sort of things you pack for the baby very much depends on their age and how you are planning to transport him/her and keep him/her warm, fed, and clean. Our baby is now 2.5 months old, and for us this includes:

The choice of carriers, slings and backpacks is enormous, so do plenty of reading around  © Laura Karpyte
The choice of carriers, slings and backpacks is enormous, so do plenty of reading around
© Laura Karpyte

Transporting

Baby carrier - we currently use the Ergobaby Omni 360 and it works great for us. A great many options are available on the market, from soft fabric carriers and slings to elaborate rigid-framed baby backpacks, and what works/fits at various stages of the baby's growth will be quite a personal choice, so some research will pay dividends. Note that babies cannot sit in an upright backpack style carrier until they're several months old, and able to hold their own head up, so initially you'll be using some sort of sling or fabric carrier by default.

However do note that there are risks associated with carrying a small baby in a fabric sling - for advice on carrying very small babies see nct.org.uk

Keeping warm

Our baby wears a warm hat and a merino layer and in addition to that we also take:

  • Change of clothes including an extra hat (in case of poo explosions or for changing into after the hike if it's a warm day and the baby gets sweaty);
  • Warm fleecy overall layer;
  • Fleece lined booties (in case her feet feel cold or if it's a colder day). Her other layers have fold-over cuffs thus we have not needed any kind of gloves yet, but will likely start taking this too once she gets older and the weather gets colder;
  • Carrier cover. Depending on the conditions we take one of or a combination of lightweight windproof/waterproof cover or a warmer fleece-lined windproof/waterproof cover;
  • Softshell jacket insert;
  • Emergency storm shelter/bothy bag. We always used to carry this on longer and difficult hikes, but now we always throw it in our bag just in case the weather turns worse and we cannot find suitable shelter to change her nappy or to feed her.

Mum and baby in Glen Lee, with the usual mountain of stuff  © Laura Karpyte
Mum and baby in Glen Lee, with the usual mountain of stuff
© Laura Karpyte

Keeping fed

We are lucky to have been able to breastfeed without any problems, thus the only extra thing that we need to take for this is 2-3 small muslin cloths. On a related note, if you are breastfeeding then snacks for you and plenty of water when going on a hike are even more important than before the baby. If you're not breatfeeding, formula milk and - later - baby food are going to take some thought.

Keeping clean

  • Suitable number of nappies (we tend to take nine for a full day of walking).
  • Changing mat. I have repurposed a piece of my old styrofoam sleeping mat for this. It's a bit bulky, but it's super light and also offers a bit more insulation from the ground than normal changing mats. I also sometimes use it for sitting on while breastfeeding if there is no other suitable dry(ish) place to sit.
  • Baby wipes. We don't use baby wipes at home, but for being out on a hike we have so far not found an alternative that would be lighter and as versatile as baby wipes.
  • Nappy bags for packing away any soiled nappies/wipes/etc.

Keeping baby cool and protected from the sun is as important as keeping her warm  © Dan Bailey
Keeping baby cool and protected from the sun is as important as keeping her warm
© Dan Bailey

Baby Layers

As you are probably aware, babies are not able to regulate their temperature as well as adults. In addition to that, you need to consider that you may feel very warm because of the exercise, but your baby sitting in the carrier might not feel the same. Therefore, it is extremely important to regularly check how your baby is doing temperature-wise (especially with changes in weather and elevation).

We use a similar layering system for our baby as we do for ourselves:

  • base-layer,
  • warm layer (fleece),
  • weather-proof layer,
  • cover for head, hands, and feet.

An example of the layers we've been using   © Laura Karpyte
An example of the layers we've been using
© Laura Karpyte

Base-layer: It's good to look for a base-layer in a comfortable wicking fabric. The material of the base-layer is probably not that important if it's just a short walk in fine weather. However, in our case when we go on longer hikes we know that if the weather is very warm, the baby will likely get a bit sweaty on the belly due to us being warm and we want this layer to dry quickly and wick away the moisture. On the other hand if the weather is cool and breezy, we want a warm layer that would not be too bulky. We like merino wool and it satisfies these requirements. It is a bit of an investment since it's not cheap (unless you can find it second hand) and babies grow out of clothes quite quickly, but we've found it works great for us and we use it often.

We have been very lucky to get back to the hills so quickly and it may not be possible for everyone - and that is OK. Everyone's story is slightly different and is no better or worse

Warm layer: We carry a second-hand fleece overall that we were given by our relatives. Since fleece overalls are more commonly used than baby merino layers, it is much easier to find some good deals, or pick them up second-hand. One thing to bear in mind, if your baby is still quite small and you will be carrying it in a baby carrier (as opposed to a carrier backpack), is that you need to make sure that this layer is not too thick or overly bulky. Very thick layers and a carrier on top of them could be uncomfortable for your baby and possibly also restrict blood circulation.

Weather-proof layer: There are a lot of options for these and you might need to test and figure out what works for you.

Jacket insert (such as, ZipUsIn)

Advantages:

  • Can be used both to extend your usual jacket when you are pregnant and to extend your jacket for it to go over the baby carrier.
  • Fast to put on, no fussing with straps, etc.
  • You share your heat with the baby.

Disadvantages:

  • May not work for both mum's and dad's jackets (or someone else's who might be doing some carrying). This could restrict the carrying to one person, if this layer is needed.
  • You need to put the jacket over the carrier. This could be problematic if you need to stop and take out the baby since you would need to take off your jacket first and this would expose both you and the baby to the elements.
  • It might get really warm if you want to keep the baby covered, but are feeling too warm yourself due to exercise.

Conclusion. It's great for shorter hikes, especially when the baby is quite young and you are still figuring things out. It can also be a great option to chuck into your bag as a back-up, just in case you need an extra layer/you forget to take a carrier cover.

Carrier cover

There is a great variety of these and the price range is also quite wide. Some covers are universal and some are designed for a specific carrier. We chose the BundleBean ones because (1) you can choose between lightweight and fleece lined ones, (2) they are extremely versatile and can be used on any carrier/sling, (3) they are easy to adjust, (4) they have some nice prints

Advantages:

  • It is an independent layer and thus does not affect the layers that you might be wearing (at least not as much as the previous option). This can be great if the baby needs an extra layer, but you are feeling very warm from all the exertion.
  • Quick extra layer to add if it's a bit windy or drizzly that does not require taking the baby out of the carrier. This can be particularly useful if the baby is generally fine temperature-wise but needs a windproof layer as you get to a windier spot.
  • You can get thin lightweight covers or warmer fleece lined ones or both, which gives you more layering options.

Disadvantages:

  • This is the layer that would be most prone to getting caught in the wind and carried away if you were not careful when taking the cover off or taking the baby out of the carrier. Thus, you need to be careful about this (it's a great idea to have other layer options, just in case).
  • If you need to take the baby out of the carrier, you will need to remove the cover too which may leave your baby exposed to the elements. Thus, if the baby needs to be fed or changed, you need to find a nice sheltered spot in advance and perhaps have an extra layer or blanket ready if it's a colder day. Some carrier covers could be used as something to cover the baby with when feeding, if you are being creative

Conclusion: It's not perfect but it's a great versatile option that works best for us at this stage. I anticipate that this will continue to be our main option for a weatherproof layer until our baby progresses to the backpack carrier.

The waterproof all-in-one has a lot going for it on a hill day. Photo: Pegs Bailey  © Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com
The waterproof all-in-one has a lot going for it on a hill day. Photo: Pegs Bailey

Waterproof overall/all-in-one suit/snow-suit: There are lots of different options for this that are suitable for different weather and temperatures. These tend to be more expensive that fleece layers, but, due to the large variety, it is not too difficult to find something that works for your budget. It's also occasionally possible to find some great things second-hand.

Advantages:

  • As in the previous case, it is an independent layer that does not affect the layers that you are wearing.
  • Once out of the carrier, the baby still has all the layers and is more protected from the elements.
  • Great once the baby starts crawling around and walking to give them a chance to explore and protect them from cold mud and wet grass.

Disadvantages – these primarily relate to using this in a baby carrier as opposed to a backpack carrier:

  • The baby needs to be removed from the carrier to add this layer, which makes it a bit more of a hassle in case of a sudden weather change.
  • Most of these layers tend to be on the thicker/bulkier end and thus might be too thick and thus inappropriate for a baby in carrier.
  • The carrier itself is not protected from the elements.

Conclusion. This is a type of layer that we will go for once we start using a backpack carrier, but it is not the best option for us at this stage.

Heading round the back of Skiddaw, with the sun canopy open  © Dan Bailey
Heading round the back of Skiddaw, with the sun canopy open
© Dan Bailey

Cover for head, hands, and feet.

Hands. So far we have used a base-layer and fleece layer that have fold-over cuffs and thus can be used instead of gloves if the weather is cold enough (or just quite windy). With our baby's age and current season in mind, a separate pair of gloves would be a bit excessive and would likely get lost quite quickly too… However, for colder weather and older babies gloves would obviously be useful.

Feet. So far all the layers that we have used for hiking had the feet covered. However, we also got some fleece lined easily adjustable booties than can easily go on top of other layers without restricting circulation. I managed to get some Mamalila booties which work for us because they are fleece lined, easy to adjust, stay on her feet and are 0-12 months (although a small baby does look a bit funny with them ).

Head. A number of our friends have knitted us some nice warm hats which we have been using so far. We tend to carry an extra one just in case and we really like the ones with ear flaps. Depending on the climate and time of year you might need a sun-hat. So far we have not needed that and with autumn on the way I don't think we will until next summer!

Top Tips

To finish off, here are my final top tips for hillwalking with a baby:

Do your research and invest into a good carrier

Needless to say, none of the above is possible without a carrier. If you are a keen walker and plan to use it lots, you might as well invest into a good one that will provide the right support for both the baby and the person doing the carrying (note: good and expensive is not necessarily always the same thing and good deals can be found even for the more expensive carriers).

Adjust your expectations and keep your priorities straight

Grand epic adventures might need to wait for a bit, but you can still make this into an enjoyable and memorable experience for your family.

Plan with back-up in mind

This goes for both route planning and items that you might want to take along.

Needless to say, we are still learning and will undoubtedly gain more experience and new insights as we keep exploring the outdoors as a family.

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