Hellobee Boards

@pachamama: we started around 4&1/2 months. First we used the soft structured carrier (a becco) and around 6 months started using the external frame Kelty. I think that's the earliest recommended age for back carries in anything but a woven wrap.

We started with shorter trips and worked out way up from there. With the Kelty it took me a while to feel confident about my balance- baby's weight is not flush with your body so it took more core strength. I had diastasis recti so for me it was something to be aware of.

Do you have a local Hike It Baby group? It can be a nice way to meet other active moms and find fun hiking spots.

I hope you have lots of fun this season getting out with LO. My little guy really enjoyed hiking, even though he wasn't huge on being worn at other times. I think the fresh air and new scenery did a lot to keep it fun for him. Some of my favorite memories and pictures from that time period are of us picking blueberries at the end of the summer with him in the Kelty.

My other advice would be to have both of you in layers, and keep a spare sun hat for babe along with stick form sunscreen on you. Extra water for you, and an extra granola bar or snack. Carrying LO is hard work!

If you're hiking in an area that's particularly steep or where the trail is loose it isn't a bad idea to have collapsible trekking poles on you. They can help prevent falls and slips.

We started when she was about 2 months, carrying her in the Moby and only doing 4-5 miles hikes. Definitely wear layers and a sun hat for baby. Plan on everything taking twice as long. I often have to nurse in the car when we get to where we're hiking and again when we get back to the car, or she'll fall asleep in the carrier so we hang around the parking area until she wakes up before we drive home.

We've only had one really bad experience where she shrieked for the entire hike. But we tried again the next day and she loved it, so if you have a bad experience don't get discouraged.

We started hiking with her in a SSC at around 4 weeks, and will be putting her in our Kelty this summer now that she's over a year old.

I think she was 6 months old. That's when the weather got really nice. I just used our Ergo.

@pachamama: we also started hiking early and used the SSC (or the wrap with #2) until 6 months, then we also use the backpack carrier. We just decide on a hike to hike basis what carrier to use.

We live in a very walkable area with lots of hiking, so we started doing short hikes around 2 weeks old. We use a tula now, but may invest in a hiking specific pack as she gets older. I recommend keeping an open mind, and being prepared for stops if necessary. I like hiking with the tula because she can nurse on the go. I recommend bringing extra pacifiers, any toys he likes, and a sun hat. I also recommend spending some time wearing whatever carrier you're going to use, so you're used to how to balance with it.

You'll love it! Hiking with a baby is awesome.

@pachamama: how long a hike do you think you are going to go on?
We tried a 2 mile loop when LO1 was 6-7 weeks using a soft carrier. He got fussy and we had to take him out and carry him at one point.
We used the Kelty when he was 8 months old for a 6 mile hike and he got tired of being in it after the first mile or 2 so we took turns carrying him the rest of the way.

@DillonLion: @akcoffeebean: I never heard about this group! Thanks! I did a search and there's a chapter here, so that's something to remember when we have #2. DD is 4, so we're ok by ourselves.