Hiking With Your Baby: What is the Best Age?

New parents, especially those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, often wonder how old their baby should be before they take them hiking.

You can start hiking with a baby as early as one or two months of age, or whenever you feel comfortable. The baby should be in a carrier designed for newborns or a stroller, and the first few hikes should be short. Babies over six months of age can go on longer hikes and are ready to ride in hiking backpacks.

There are many things to consider before deciding to take a baby on a hike.

The Best Age to Hike With a Baby

Parents who are avid outdoors people often wonder how soon their new baby can join them in their hobbies. Families who are new to hiking also ask if their babies and toddlers can join them on hikes. The truth is, there is no “best” age to take a baby hiking. Babies and toddlers who are accustomed to being in baby carriers or strollers will enjoy outdoor excursions at nearly any age. However, there are considerations and cautions to be taken seriously when preparing to go hiking with a baby in tow.

Hiking with a newborn is easier if you use a wrap or newborn carrier. Most new babies will sleep throughout your hike! John Martin State Park, Colorado.

Should You Hike With a Newborn?

There’s no general consensus on how old a baby should be before they begin accompanying parents on outdoor excursions. General common-sense guidelines and recommendations for specific situations such as the ones below should guide your preparations.

Is Mom Ready to Hike?

When the mother has recovered from childbirth enough to consider hiking, the newborn is probably old enough to go, as well. Most mothers won’t be ready to go hiking in the weeks immediately following delivery.

Is Your Baby Old Enough to Use a Carrier Safely?

Newborn babies can’t safely use external frame hiking carriers or any backpack that requires them to hold their heads up or be able to sit. Instead, newborns should be worn in front carriers such as wraps or the Ergobaby carriers. These carriers are designed to keep a newborn close to the parent and provide head support. Once a baby is over 6 months old and sitting up on their own they can start riding in backpacks and hiking carriers.

Is the Weather Safe and Comfortable?

Before you take a newborn outside, make sure that the weather is appropriate. You shouldn’t take a brand-new baby out in very cold or hot temperatures. Newborns have more trouble regulating their body temperature compared with older children and adults. It’s also not safe to take your baby out into wet weather because they will easily get chilled.

Can You Keep Your Newborn Out of the Sun While Hiking?

Babies under 6 months of age aren’t supposed to use sunscreen. Keeping your newborn’s skin protected at all times is important. Use a carrier and dress your baby in UV-resistant clothes and a sun hat to protect their skin. Try to hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid direct rays of the sun.

Things to Remember

Avoid high altitudes: Babies and young children can suffer severe illness at high altitudes unless they live in those areas. It is especially important not to sleep at high altitudes.
Start Slow: For the health of both the baby and the mother, get back into hiking slowly. Choose easy, short hikes so you will never be far from your car.
Take Another Adult: It’s smart to take another adult to help you with the carrier and extra supplies. They can also take turns with the baby if it gets grumpy.

Long-sleeved rash guards for infants can help protect their skin from the sun.

Hiking With an Infant Under 12 Months

After the newborn stage, hiking with a baby can be easier. Babies over 6 months can be carried in hiking backpacks and other kinds of carriers, and they can usually go longer between feedings. Babies of this age can often be removed from the carrier to sit or crawl on a blanket during hiking breaks. You still need to consider the weather and dress your baby in layers. You will also want to continue using shorter trails and hiking with another adult or older child unless you are very experienced. Children of this age can be heavy, so if you aren’t used to carrying your baby in a carrier, start gradually with short, easy hikes.

What to Bring When You Are Hiking With a Baby

New parents know that taking a baby anywhere requires bringing some supplies along. Diapers, formula or bottles, water and snacks, and extra clothes are just some of the things most parents will bring when they go out with their baby. When you are hiking, you will have to decide how many baby supplies to carry with you and which items you can safely leave in the car for your return. If you are going on a very short hike, you might be able to get away with leaving everything in the car except an extra diaper, wipes, and some water. For longer hikes, you will want to be more prepared. Read my list of what to bring hiking with a baby for more information.

Hiking With a Baby Carrier vs a Stroller

When hiking with a baby, both baby carriers and strollers have their advantages and disadvantages. I always used a carrier when hiking with my babies, but there are many good reasons for each option and avid hikers might choose to do either, depending on circumstances.

There are situations when hiking with a stroller is the best option. If you are hiking with more than one young child and need to be able to carry them both, a stroller is best. You can also use a stroller with heavier children without straining your back, and you can bring more supplies. The biggest disadvantage to hiking with a stroller is that you will be seriously limited on the trails you can take. You will have to stick with trails that are well-maintained, even with an all-terrain stroller, and the best options will be boardwalks, paved paths, and other accessible trails. Read more about hiking with a stroller here.

The biggest advantage of hiking with a baby carrier is the freedom to access harder trails and go wherever you need. You will also be able to keep your baby closer and many babies are happier and more contented in carriers. The biggest disadvantage of hiking with a baby carrier is the weight, as some babies and toddlers are heavy and can cause back strain. This is especially true if you need to carry both the baby and supplies on your own. It’s always safest to hike with another adult who can help share the load.

Older babies can start riding in hiking carriers and backpacks once they can hold up their heads and sit well on their own. Fall Creek, Colorado.

Conclusion

No matter what age you start getting outside with your kids, your family will benefit. The sooner your kids learn to love the outdoors, the easier it will be to ingrain the habit. That is why, with a few exceptions, the best age to get started hiking with a baby is whatever age your baby is right now.