Four Tips for Adventuring with Infants

“Put a chain on the house and just drag it behind the car,” says journalist Maggie Jacobus who with her three boys runs the web site Super Natural Adventures. Jacobus is joking, but during the first year of your child’s life, getting out can be a bit overwhelming. The extra gear alone is mind-boggling. Whether you’re trying to rally the crew for a day hike or trying to get some adult quiet time in the outdoors, it takes some getting used to. Today, the editors and contributors at the Outdoor Parent wanted to offer up tips to help you through that first year. We’ve broken it up into two posts, so check back for part two. If you’ve got more, please feel free to leave them as a comment.

1. Just Do It

This should be your mantra. Remember the first time you climbed, skied, surfed? We tend to remember only the good parts, but when you started you weren’t very good at said sport. It was hard. You were awkward. You cheese grated down a slab. You nearly drowned trying to duck dive your nine-foot long board. Your body was nearly cleaved in half by a particularly large mogul. To a casual observer the task at hand probably looked like some form of draconian punishment. To you though, it was fun. Keep this in mind when it comes to the first year. In order to grow, you have to embrace being a beginner.

“Lots of people think they should wait until their child is older to go anywhere because of routines. Guess what? It only gets more difficult once you establish that pattern,” says Jacobus, who relocated her family to the jungles of Costa Rica four years ago.

Remember, baby epics happen all the time. Kids are remarkably resilient. Adults – not so much. Suck it up, get out and embrace the epic. The more you throw yourself into your new passion, the more adept you’ll become. Eventually you’ll get your systems dialed just in time for the next one to arrive.

2. Create a Baby Kit

In seven months with Levi, Danny Maynor has discovered the power of planning. The days of throwing a wetsuit and a board in the jeep on are over. An infant requires an arsenal of baby carriers, rattles, pacifiers, diapers, etc. To expedite transitions, consider creating a static baby bag complete with handy wipes, toys, sunscreen, blanket, spare diaper and the all-important change of clothes. Leave everything in the Baby Kit. Repeat, leave everything thing in it subbing only when absolutely necessary. This way the bag is always packed and ready to rock. Double check the night before and supplement as necessary.

3. Forget the Bottle

“Bottle feeding makes it is easier to find a babysitter, but nursing can simplify taking an infant along for the next adventure,” says Jennie Bohrer. Nursing means that you don’t have to pack bottles, formula, clean water etc. Think like an alpinist and shave weight where you can. Make sure that your eating and drinking enough for both of you. In cold weather or during heavy exercise, it can be easy for the caloric crash to sneak up on you.

“I still don’t enjoy nursing in public, but with my youngest I bought a cape with a wire in the neck so she can eat discreetly and I can keep an eye on her,” adds Jennie. “She and I had a great time sitting in the lodge in between ski runs.”

4. Take It Down a Notch Cowboy

“Not every trip is going to be that Everest Expedition you’ve been dreaming about,” says Andy Guinigundo. It can be a tough pill to swallow, but all the parents who contributed noted that lowering expectations for family trips is key to a pleasurable experience with a newborn. Some parents like to think of it like getting back in shape after a lay off. They start small and work up. Some suggested just diving straight into the deep end. Either way, realize that your goal is to share natural world with your kids and get out. You can set new land speed records on your mountain bike, but there is a time and place for everything.

to be continued….

Photo credit: Craig Demartino

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5 Responses to Four Tips for Adventuring with Infants

  1. Bill A. says:

    I’m very excited to see this site up and running. I’m a former outdoor guide and now live in a city with less adventure opportunities than what I was used to just a few years ago. Now with a new baby, I’m a little intimidated by everything involved in the routine of getting outside.
    I’m on my way to check out Super Natural Adventures, but will make this site a daily stop.

    Thanks for the encouragement and helpful tips.

  2. Aimee Rose says:

    The peapod travel tent is the best for naps in the first year

  3. Megan S. says:

    As a mother of two young children (girl 2 years, boy 6 months), I cannot emphasize enough point #1; Just do it. When our daughter was 3 months we took her for day hikes in the mountains and she was the PERFECT age. She slept in the MobyWrap strapped to my body and was fascinated by everything along the trail when awake.

    Once we got the hang of that our son was born. Two in tow is another ball game all together. However, we are extremely grateful for our foresight in getting comfortable with one outdoors before taking on them both. It’s much easier to run the half-marathon before the full 26.2 miles.

  4. Adam K. says:

    Soon to be a new parent and interested in finding information on products that have been useful on the “reduced adventures.” I am looking for some good information on child carriers. Any reccomendations?

    • Kevin says:

      Congrats Adam!
      We have been very happy with the Chariot single and double (though big) cheetah as stroller/bike/ski carrier. They are pricey but come up on craigslist and keep their value for resale. As with any gear try to imagine what you’ll actually use it for rather than get up sold to the fancy wheels and modular add ons. Slings are available for babies at a certain age.
      Kelty back pack carriers are also recommendable- but have a more limited duration of use (up to 2 maybe 3 years depending on kid size/trip length).

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