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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go for a hike with a 4 month old

52 replies

Imicola · 14/02/2019 07:38

I really want to take my dd (4 months) out hiking, in an infant carrier (on my own while dh is at work) . My plan would be to take a blanket, with something waterproof, so that I can take her out of the carrier and put her on the ground when it is time for a feed, rather than restricting myself to a short walk with cafe at the end.

Has anyone done something similar? I'm not sure if it is a recipe for disaster, and we'll end up an hour away from the car in a meltdown! I haven't been using the carrier that much, so I guess I'd be better working up to it and getting her more used to the carrier. I should also add I'm in the w of Scotland, so would need to make sure I go on a decent weather day! Any advice welcome, I so miss the countryside!

OP posts:
unlimiteddilutingjuice · 14/02/2019 07:41

I used to do this. Just wrap LO up really warm. The movement of your body will probably lull her to sleep.

OnlineAlienator · 14/02/2019 07:42

As a farmer's wife at the time i was 'hiking' with DD from days old. I'd say get on with it now before she's too big to carry/push but too little to do real mileage, that's the awkward bit!!

Just take what you need, start small, and dont do anything daft like set off up ben nevis and i cant see a prob?

GoldenEvilHoor · 14/02/2019 07:43

This reply has been withdrawn

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CherryPavlova · 14/02/2019 07:48

Absolutely fine and Lovely for you both. Baby rucksacks are so good now and you can but baby hiking clothes. I made our eldest’s all in one fleece from my husband’s and we made a baby carrier from an ordinary rucksack frame. So much nice than pushing a buggy around town.

TheClaifeCrier · 14/02/2019 07:54

I live in a national park and have done this loads with my two.

Layers work best for keeping the baby warm as you can remove them easily. At that age mine just mostly slept through it all.

We have foldable foam hiking pads for sitting on now, so handy!

EyUpOurKid · 14/02/2019 07:59

Would also recommend a tuppence and crumble starsnug.

Bouncebacker · 14/02/2019 08:05

Of course! Make sure you have all the supplies you would usually take (waterproofs that cover both of you, water, snacks, enough phone battery, make sure someone else knows what route you are taking etc) and go for it.

Make sure you have a really comfy carrier - I have a Manducca (a soft structured carrier) which I like much more than the structured rucksack types because it fits my frame better - even for quite mountainous routes.

Oh, and make sure you can get your boob out of your hiking gear if you are breastfeeding!

CannyLad · 14/02/2019 08:05

Yep it's fine but if check what type of carrier is suitable if LO can't sit unsupported yet. A walking pole is useful to keep your balance and take a bit of the extra weight if you have one or two. If you fall and get a sprain somewhere out of the way you're going to be stuffed so I'd walk in a popular place to begin with or with excellent mobile signal and someone you can call. Remember that baby isn't exerting effort so will be colder than you but depending on carrier they will get some heat from you. Layers are good. Waterproof top layer keeps the wind off.

We walked every day (dog and baby) and had no problems.

stegosauruslady · 14/02/2019 08:09

I did ten miles with my six week old last Saturday. Today we will do six miles...slings are great for long walks with babies.

If you're breastfeeding, remember that you will get thirstier than usual.

Your body heat will help keep the baby warm, so don't over dress them.

anniehm · 14/02/2019 08:14

We walked almost straight away with ours - even went snowshoeing with dd2 at 5 weeks. I used a front carrier and zipped inside my coat. If anything I was worried about overheating!

Anon10 · 14/02/2019 08:15

Yep I did it with mine, from 6 weeks old. Uphill too. I think it’s easier when they are lighter! Enjoy!

Butteredghost · 14/02/2019 08:17

Oh yes this will be great. It's the best age because they are strong enough to ride in the carrier for ages and hold their head up, but small enough to carry comfortably. And you don't need to carry food for them except a bottle or nothing if bf.

If your bub likes riding in the carrier you're good to go. I've done a few hikes 3-6 hours long and they were great. Agree bub will be quite warm in the sling so don't over dress them.

StellaMorris · 14/02/2019 08:22

I used to do this.
Waterproof fleece lined all in one suit (Bushbaby make excellent ones)
Plenty of breaks.
Everybody happy.

Original poster
Imicola · 14/02/2019 08:27

Fantastic, thanks for all your responses! Today's weather looks reasonable so will start with a shortish walk with a cafe at the end just incase! Sadly I couldn't breastfeed so that does as to the complication, but I have a flask bottle warmer thingy I can take. I have an all in one fleecy suit, but not a waterproof one, so I shall look into that.
Exciting!

OP posts:
Sandsnake · 14/02/2019 08:31

Yeah definitely! DS’ came on walking holiday with us when he was four months old and was fine in his carrier (and he tended towards the difficult). Enjoy it whilst you can - he’s three now and our walks are now limited to how far his legs will take him!

StellaMorris · 14/02/2019 08:43

Imicola I didn’t bf for long. I used to warm up ds’s bottles a bit by putting them under my armpits or down my jumper!

Macaroonmayhem · 14/02/2019 08:44

Another thing that we found useful (and still do) is a little emergency shelter that is great if it starts raining or is v windy when you stop for snacks. example here. They pack down really small.

Iwent all over with DS in his off-road buggy. Fond memories of having to dismantle it and shove it in bits (and him, 5 months old) through the dog door in a deer fence at Braemar! That’s gone down in family history...

CloudPop · 14/02/2019 09:47

Lovely idea - enjoy !

SunnyScot89 · 14/02/2019 09:47

We regularly went out for day long walks with our little boy when he was small. It was much easier than it is now that he is older and wants to walk, but can't walk far.

Make sure you take plenty food and water for yourself, and follow the normal rules(tell someone where you are going, how long you'll be and check in with them regularly).

We moved on to a baby rucksack when he was about 6 months old which was handy as we got one that had a bag section, rather than carry a rucksack and the baby carrier.

Take it easy and enjoy exploring!!

It is a good idea to take something to sit on (I usually just sat on my waterproof but my baby was a summer baby so I didn't need to wear a jacket).

adrienneJ · 14/02/2019 12:02

We took DS with us up a couple of the highest peaks in the Lakes, in the summer months obviously. Never had an issue. More you can get out the better as it doesn't last for long. Well wrapped up so if you do get a bit of bad weather they're prepared, but that's stating the obvious. If thats the kind of thing you do anyway, I'd think if anything it'd unreasonable to stop just due to a little one.

ClarabellaCTL · 14/02/2019 18:04

Great idea. I did loads with my 2 when they were in the carrier, lots of fresh air for them and exercise for me. Enjoy it xx

nugget900 · 14/02/2019 18:22

I think it's dangerous to go hiking with a four year old. I personally wouldn't.

billybagpuss · 14/02/2019 18:25

Make sure his hat is somehow tethered to his body or the carrier, this is from experience when DD discarded her hat half way up the old man of coniston and DH had to walk back down for a good half a mile to find it. It was a very hot, hat needed kind of day.

Anon10 · 14/02/2019 20:07

Nugget why would it be dangerous? It’s more dangerous to drive with them tbh statistically. Grin

Jaggypinecone · 14/02/2019 20:33

Also had a Bushbaby. Fab. Went for good hike myself up in Cairngorm National Park when my DD was 4 months old - not a problem. She fell asleep for most of it and was cosied up quite happily.