Laura Petrolino, a mom and member of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) Rising Leadership Team, shared how she loves hiking and promised herself that when she gets pregnant, her love for hiking and other outdoor activities will remain the same. Hiking is integral to her life, claiming it honed her to be a better individual. True enough, Petrolino hiked through her pregnancy. Her two children had been on hiking trips to the Cutler Coast and the White mountains.
She revealed that she and her partner hiked when their child was still a baby. As the couple continues their passion for hiking, they bring their toddlers along to explore mountains. The mother of two said there's not much difference between going on an adventure and taking care of the children. Hiking with children requires a lot of core strength and a good baby carry.
The NRCM member reminds everyone, especially parents, to bring a lot of patience when hiking as there are things that would make them lose a lot of it. Also, they will need to prepare and bring snacks.
According to Petrolino, if parents think they have enough food, she guarantees they don't.
Here are the five tips for hiking with a baby or toddler:
1. Start hiking early.
The mom of two started hiking with her child from day one; thus, it's always been part of her life. It helped her to learn to walk on hiking trails and taught her to become more capable. She eventually learned to navigate some tough terrain and deeply appreciates nature. At this stage, you must be careful when carrying your child, considering their tiny size. Being newborns, they're still very sensitive.
2. Setting and realigning your goals.
Your goal in hiking must change from when you didn't have a child to now, bringing your kids with you on the trail. Hiking would be different when you have your child with you. Kids cannot do what adults can, so you have to set new goals for you and your child, so you can both enjoy the adventure. When parents start hiking with their children, their appreciation for the activity would be different, considering that they now have someone to enjoy it and admire the beauty around them.
3. Prepare and have the right gear.
Pack everything you think you will need during the hike. A backpack is the primary piece of gear for day hiking. Ensure you bring tools to help you and your child survive during the hike. Expect the unexpected when hiking, such as you and your child may sustain wounds, and you would not want it to get infected, especially your child.
Therefore, The Online Rocket suggests equipping yourself with the must-have safety equipment as it will keep you safe and sound on all your hiking ventures. If you get wounded, you can easily and quickly disinfect any cuts with the right equipment.
4. Overestimate Time.
Hiking with yourself takes a lot of time, especially if you have a child. Petrolino triples the amount of time a hike would typically take them, considering that planning is important. Overestimating time is salient as it helps you not end up in a bad place.
5. Bring more snacks.
Kids can quickly consume snacks; therefore, pack snacks and then pack some more. Also, don't forget to bring your own bin and not litter the hiking place. Having snacks keeps you fueled, energized, and moving, regardless of the winding path. Healthy snacks help you to go that extra mile, per KOA.
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