Hi to all, Have hiked in UK for the last 3-4 years and now with our baby being 3 months old and me between jobs we are looking for a hiking trip for a week or so. We cant wait for the opportunity to be outdoors. I have tried to find info on whether it is ok to do hiking trips with 3-months old but cant find much info. I was considering renting a cottage (close to an NHS hospital just in case it is needed) and then start with short walks from the cottage. What do you think? Is it possible to do so in mid of November? What kind of clothing would you use? Do i need waterproof/fleece?Is waterproof too much for a baby (will it get very warm?)? Suspect that a front carrier should be better since baby does not stand up on its own yet. Has anyone done anything similar? Any ideas for place or b&b's/hotels which would be child friendly? Was thinking not Scotland, since it is too far away (in London right now), so perhaps South Wales/North Wales or Lake District?
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I take it this is your first? If i remember rightly, babies of 12 weeks old go to sleep a lot, need regular feeding, and shit their nappies. and my wife just said it's not an it. *when mine was 12 weeks old he prefered Event.
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yes so we are not sure how much we can push for in hike duration and challenge. Feeding time is every 3-4 hours and shiting time (well that is abit unpredictable). Was hoping that would be able to do 2-3 hour walks if the weather is not very bad.
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i prefer event as well..<img /> Or even better montane extreme smock.. probably need to check the prices (hope they are not the same as for adults!) <img />
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 Baby will let you know if it's unhappy - it will bawl !! -Otherwise babies will mostly go with the flow, they don't know whether what you are doing is unusual or not. It's the adults which will be most worried.
Take food and spare nappies and wrap baby up warm and have a good time. Babies are portable at this age. As they get older things can actually get more complicated.
Cathy
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.JPG) what Cathy says. You'll know if it's bothered. I'd get a Bothy bag for feeding/changing when out and about? Didn't know about them when ours were small, butthey would certainly have helped in rain/wind.
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I've never used a bothy bag, but it seems a good idea for when you need shelter to 'see to baby'. Cathy
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There was a story on the american website backpackinglight.com about a couple taking a baby around the pyrenees. There was a discussion on the forum about what equipment they should take, what safety procedures should be followed etc. Some people were dead set against the idea and thought it was tantamount to child cruelty, others were very positive and helpful. I don't have the link I'm afraid, but it might be worth a look for some tips - I think the couple might have been dutch? I think one useful tip was taking a poncho as a waterproof?
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Many thanks for the feedback. Decided to get an waterproof overall which should be ok for the little ones. Not so sure about the couple doing the pyrenees. I had read the story and did remember that the little one was 3 or 4 weeks? It sounds doable but i am not going ahead with such a plan.. 2-3 hours up a hill as long as the weather is okish should be fine!!! Bothy bag and poncho sound like ideas which would be good to investigate!
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i've seen and done my self loads of hiking with babies and small kids. The couple who went through the pyrenees are belgians. some basic rules: -baby should be kept warm and dry at all times. So bring cooking gear to make a hot flask when needed and some clothes to wrap around the hot flask to keep from burns when needed. -The baby mus be able to sleep at all times, and it most certainly must be able to lie down at all times. The spine isn't just ready to keep a baby in an upright position for too long. A cart is fine or a babysling where the baby is kept in mostly lying and not in a upright position. Mind you each step you take on rugh terrain is extra downward presure on the spine. the belgian couple in the Pyrenees got away with a babysling because their baby was still very small and could be kept most of the times in a lying position. When the baby is old enough to sit upright on it's own it's time for backcarriers or carts. -You can hike all day long, no problem there. but you need to stop regurlarly for a break (feeding-time, play-time). In our experience that makes your action range no more than about 10km. When they are very small you might get to 15km but start slowly with planning longer distances than 10km... -Breastfeeding is a bliss when hiking with kids. Else you really need that burner and cooking gear to make artificial babymilk. -A bothy or tarp/wing is great to make some shelter on a break. You'll need it. -Places where you can hike? Almost anywhere, you are your own limitation.
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 I would hike between campsites and b&b's to start,cant be much fun for days on end lugging shitty nappies about and all the extra stuff that comes with babies. Or base yourself on a campsite and day walk,returning to camp and dumping nappies and re-supplying.
Have fun !!
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I recently found this site, pushchairwalks.co.uk. Great for taking strolls with a pram, but you'll have to fork out £1 per walk for a map and details. I took my eldest up Snowdon when he was 9 months, in September. I've since had a further two, but I probably wouldn't do the same. It's tempting to drag them out the nearest peak, but remember that they will eventually grow up, when you'll be able to take them as often as you want Plan to do a short and easy walk. If things work out you can go for longer, but you don't want trouble when you're far from civilisation (e.g. the baby changing room in Boots;-) )
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