Babywearing when Hiking

My experience

BWing when hiking had a multitude of advantages for us. We managed to go places where we would never get to even with a all-terrain jogging stroller, get out in all sorts of weather to wind down and get that essential exercise. Furthermore, and more importantly, with my baby and then toddler being so close to me, breastfeeding her was easy and possible on the go, and I knew at all times whether she was snug and weatherproofed and happy.

Hiking: hints and tips

I want to share with you a few things that I have learnt about BWing when hiking: this is my experience and might be different for you.

When hiking, as usual, use your common sense when choosing your hiking route and destination. The following discussion concentrates on BWing, but there are many other factors apart from BWing that you need to consider for a successful outing. Do only those things that you are sure about and comfortable doing with your precious load on board, and bear this in mind when reading the below tips.

• Which carrier to choose for hiking? As always, something that you feel at ease using is good. Consider whether you are going to carry your baby or toddler for a duration of time that is long for you, and whether the route that you are taking will make it more strenuous. If the answer is yes, then many people agree that two-shouldered carriers provide a good long-term wearing comfort and often an opportunity to change carries if needed– e.g. a wrap, a Mei Tai, some multi-piece sets or a soft structured carrier.

Here are a few pictures (Figures 1-3) of Carole hiking with Riley in a Mei Tai.

For other situations different people find that one-shoulder carriers work well for them, as you can see in Figure 4, where Carole is hiking with her baby Riley in a pouch.

• Which carry to use for hiking? Make sure that the carry/-ies that you use does not block your line of view and allows you to keep a good balance. Personally, I have used both front and back carries for hiking and they would meet these requirements for me (but this can vary depending on your circumstances).
• What bag/rucksack to take? Make sure it is compatible with the carrier and with the carries that you are going to use. E.g. my small (not hiking by design) rucksack is great to carry both on my front and my back, so works fine both for when I have my daughter on my front or on my back. Also, a good idea is to have a belt bag or something similar to be able to reach for your bottle of water and other hiking essentials, or to have those within easy reach otherwise.
• If you get out in the elements, consider weather protection for yourself and your baby. You can hike whilst BWing in most types of weather (within reason of course, and use your common sense to decide if you are happy to go out in a particular weather). There are a number of options, a few of which you can see in the pictures here.

Remember though that being close to you gives your baby (and yourself!) additional ‘heating’, so use your judgement so that s/he does not get too hot.

In Figure 7, I am wearing an oversized waterproof jacket over my baby in a Mei Tai back carry. Again, this gave good weather protection for us at that moment.

Of course, BWing ponchos, jackets and dickeys can provide weather protection too.

Finally, Figure 8 shows my daughter being worn in a front wrap cross carry over my cardigan. With it being just a light summer shower, not windy, and our route allowing, umbrellas worked out fine for weather protection. However, they are my least favourite option of all for weather protection: an umbrella would not be feasible on every route (e.g. consider some woods) and I prefer to have my hands free just in case and for better balance on some surfaces.

Of course, despite my describing at length weather protection when hiking, you do not need it a different sort of protection in better weather or in sunnier climes. Consider sun protection that you would be happy with for your child: note the sun protection that Carole and Riley in Figure 9 are using in Figure 9 .

• Your footwear. As you can encounter a variety of surfaces when hiking, consider the footwear that would provide you a good grip, will not interfere with your balance and will be waterproof if needed. Well-chosen footwear can be instrumental in your keeping your balance on a variety of routes (once again, use your judgement and common sense to decide if a particular route or surface are suitable for hiking when BWing).

• Another common concern for those hiking with toddlers are those Big Muddy Toddler Boots. If those are a concern to you, you can minimise their effect on your clothes and the sling by either using a carrier that would allow being put over your toddler’s head (vs hir being lifted up and sliding those boots through the sling). The same can be achieved by e.g. wrapping around your toddler in a front carry if a wrap is used, versus putting her in a pre-tied carry. Finally, given that stuff happens when hiking, using an easily washable carrier when hiking is advisable.

• An issue of wrap tails flapping in the wind when you are wrapping in windy outdoors. Turn in such a way that wind takes those tails or straps in the direction of your tying or wrapping.

• Straps/tails getting dirty is another common concern . Pre-tying a Mei Tai or a wrap and then adjusting it once your toddler/baby is in is one solution. Another one is to find something dry and clean-ish to rest those straps or tails on: a suitable hedge, a low fence or a bush (use your judgement and common sense to decide whether any object for resting your straps is safe and suitable for the use in this way). Finally, all this failing, using an easily washable carrier when hiking can be your last resort – or one without any parts to drag on the ground – such as a soft-structured carrier.

Hiking with a baby in a carrier can be great, but as with everything, there may be some learning curve to it – just remember that if a particular hike does not work out, with the next one you can build up on the experience (and ultimately, you can always turn around and go back home!).

BWing has made travelling with a baby and then a toddler easier and more enjoyable for us and our daughter – hopefully, you will enjoy the same effect of BWing if you are going on your travels with your baby or a young child!