Hiking with baby and toddler

[Dreamingsleeper]

We’ve been invited to participate in a hiking ‘challenge’ for my DH’s mum’s 65th birthday. It’s a mountain she’s always wanted to climb and they’re making a weekend of it. However she’s shown us the route and it’s about 9 miles with lots of ups and downs and she estimates it’ll take 5 hours. Pre-children, my husband and I would’ve found this absolutely fine but I’m thinking that this is way too far for a 10 month old and a 2 year old. I’d have to wear the baby in a sling and I already struggle to carry him for long periods because he’s a big boy (in the loveliest way!). My toddler would walk for maybe 30 minutes before tiring and want to be carried in a backpack before complaining that she was uncomfortable for the next 4 hours. Then factoring in that we’d have to carry enough food / water for 4 people for 5 hours and no toilet for potty-training toddler…I’m just thinking it’s not doable? My DH is keen to give it a go but I have visions of being stranded on a mountain with baby and toddler in simultaneous meltdown with no food and water whilst putting on a brave face for the in-laws. Am I being too negative?!

Would it be unreasonable to chicken out and take the kids for a short walk and hot chocolate instead?! I don’t want to disappoint the family but I’m already breaking out in a cold sweat at the thought of it.

Nope nope nope. Nothing would persuade me to do this.

Go for your shorter walk and hot chocolate. That sounds like much more fun!

Can’t stop laughing at @burritofan response 🤣

You could possible do it with the baby in the sling, taking it in turns, but there is no way in hell that this would be a good idea with a two year old!

At best unpleasant at worst frankly dangerous. Dh can go on his own you meet them afterwards job done.

This would be my idea of hell..
Sounds bloody awful. Can’t see how either of the kids are going to think that’s fun!
I would tell DH to go and do it with his family and meet them somewhere afterwards for a celebratory drink.

Thanks everyone for confirming what I already suspected! The kids can be the cheerleaders on their departure and we’ll join them for a meal afterwards

I recently climbed Snowdon with my 8 month old dc on my front. It was hard work but we did climb and descend in around 6.5 hours. I think the toddler will be your main issue. I think they will get bored and frustrated! If you're talking about Snowdon, then there is of course the choice of taking the train up/down.

If it was just one of them then I'd do it (DH would carry them in a sling) - we did do Snowdon with the youngest in a sling - the 7 - 10 year olds walked it.

With the two of them I probably wouldn't

Nope. Wave them off, then do a short walk, picnic, park, paddle... whatever there is to do for kids in the vicinity until they get back, then go to the pub with them to celebrate their achievement.

No way. A short hike, but not a long one.

@burritofan

It takes us about nine hours to do the 100-yard walk to the park because the toddler needs to look at a stick or lie down on the pavement or talk to a cat. You’ll be up there for days. You’ll have to eat the sling and poo on rocks. You’ll be on the news.

I can't top this. I won't try.

I think 5 hours in a backpack or sling is too long for young children. It's not much of a day for them. I'd encourage your DH to go without you or find someone to look after the kids for the day.

This sounds like a serious test of endurance and most probably your sanity. I've found with my own family that they seem to have forgotten the limits of toddlers. Go and have a nice hot choc and a play 😊

@GreyEyedWitch its not snowdon - it’s one of the tallest in the Lakes which I did actually do pre-children when I was fit (and didn’t have a stone of baby weight to lose…). It wasn’t the toughest climb but I think I’ll find it very challenging with a 22lb baby hanging off my front!

Um, no. Possibly with a breastfeeding baby but no way with the toddler. Also, conditions on a mountain can change really quickly and you really need to be prepared for everything so even more stuff on top of the extra food, water and carrying of two children! I can't see how it would be a good day out😆

We’re just starting our 3yo and 4yo on hiking, easy routes, 5km max! Preferably something to see like a hill fort etc. Very easy basics. Only carrying snacks etc.

I would not have done anything like we that with a baby and a 2yo. Madness!!!

I'd send DH with the baby and enjoy a day with the toddler. (Presuming it works with breastfeeding).

Sometimes I think Mumsnet is all just rant and stressful and not that great a place to be, and then someone like @burritofan writes a comment like that and I'm in stitches and it's all worth it

OP, god no. No.

@burritofan 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Send your DH.

No mother of 2 toddlers is a wimp.

@dreamingsleeper I hear you! My DC is 23 lbs and it was killer on my back. I couldn't have done it without my DH carrying them most of the way down. I definitely wouldn't do it in your shoes! Have a lovely time. I'm sure there will be plenty of hiking opportunities in the future ☺️

Great idea, I assume your MIL is taking your toddler in a backpack? Perhaps the baby in a sling too.
How would it even occur to her..

It’s very odd she even suggests this. Is she around you much to see the actual reality of babies and toddlers? It’s a laughable suggestion

Are you sure she's not assuming it'll be adults only?

No way, and we're avid hill walkers with a now 5 and 7 year old. We did Snowdonia, Helvellyn, Catbells, etc when my eldest was a baby and she was quite happy in the front carrier with DH's big coat round me and her. We then progressed to a Littlelife back pack carrier and I did carrier her in that on longer walks until she was 4 as a back up if she got tired as it was easier than a piggy back, but she walked mostly by then. Toddler years are the hardest, too heavy to carrier up hill, offset your balance on steep downhills, yet walk soooo slowly it takes forever to get anywhere (and I was always freezing cold as never enough speed to get warm despite so many layers!). Mine are 5 and 7 now and great walkers. My youngest amazes me, he just gets on with it...I think lockdown and lots of walking for daily exercise has helped. They don't bat an eye lid at regularly walking 6 miles+ (and can both cycle up-to 20 miles too), and aren't afraid to tackle steeper stuff. You just have to slower your expectations, it takes us a full day and a picnic stop to do something DH would have done in half a day, but they love our adventures and are getting stronger all the time.