If you have been an avid hiker pre-baby then you will most likely be itching to get back out there, baby in tow. Introducing your little one to the big outdoors is definitely a going to be a memorable experience. It will likely set them up for a great love of the outdoors and nature in general. The bonding experience alone will make it all worth it. There really is something quite special about sharing those experiences with your own children.
Before you set out on the your first hike together you will need to be sure you have the right equipment for their age. This means a hiking carrier or a type of baby carrier. Depending on the age of your child, the type of carrier you select will be important.
What Age Can I Use a Hiking Carrier for My Baby?
Hiking carriers are generally carried on the back. For children to use a carrier like this they need to be able to have good head control. This is usually attained around the six month mark. A baby should ideally also be able to sit up unassisted. This will ensure your baby is well supported and you aren’t putting undue pressure or strain on their developing bodies. So before you start using a hiking baby carrier make sure your child:
- Is in the weight requirements for the specific carrier
- Has good neck and head control
- Can sit up unassisted
Hiking Carriers by Age
Below are a list of different carriers I can recommend sorted by age. Carriers from ages 0-6 months aren’t dedicated hiking carriers but are still ideal for hiking with young babies. They have the added benefit of being able to be used on an every day basis too. If you are like me you will love when you can get more bang for your buck and make a purchase work for multiple scenarios. I also looked at the resale value of each of these products. They all all resell for a great price because they are quality brands. When you are purchasing equipment for your children safety is always paramount. It is better to spend a little more for a quality product rather than purchase an inferior product for less.
0-6 Months
Newborn babies would benefit greatly from using a Moby wrap. These carriers keep baby super close to your body. The are so soft and super comfortable to wear. I have worn my babies for hours at a time without any strain on my shoulders or back. Head and neck support is the highest priority at this age, the Moby wrap gentle nestles their head against your chest allowing for lots of support even when you need to bend right over. I love the fact that these are not bulky. You can easily put a jacket over top or wear your own back pack without feeling like you are so loaded up you can barely walk. We need comfort here!
My only draw back here is that they are a bit fiddly to tie. However it is very much like learning to tie your shoelaces. Once you figure it out you can do it in your sleep if you needed.
There are plenty of gorgeous designs and the fabric is machine washable, perfect for the outdoors. I purchased mine on Amazon a few years ago…and it is still going strong four kids and 8 years later. You can check out the current price here.
Once you are past the newborn stage you can move up into a structured carrier. The one that I would recommend over and over again is the Tula. I love this carrier because it is incredible comfortable. We flew over to Southern Utah and hiked through all the national parks with this carrier without a single complaint from either my husband, myself or our son who pretty much slept while we did all the hard work.
The Tula, like the Moby wrap is very versatile and can be used for every day use. They also resell incredibly well. I am not even kidding, crazy mom’s collect these carriers. You can easily sell a year later for twice what you paid for it!
I really love this new design they have just come out with that allows baby to face outwards. This really just opens up the world to them so they can take it their beautiful surroundings. When they are tired, just switch them back to have a rest. The design is perfect in that it ensures baby’s hips are aligned in the correct way so as to not damage their hips. Some carriers often called “crutch danglers” are terrible for babies hips. You can order one here for a great price
6-24 Months
Once your child reaches this age you can really start to look into proper hiking carriers. For a child to to be able to use a hiking carrier they need to have good control of their head and neck. Babies usually reach this milestone around the six month mark. It is important that you don’t try a back carrier until they have achieved this milestone regardless of their age.
When you are looking for a dedicated hiking carrier for your child you want to make sure it is from a reputable brand. There are a lot of cheap knockoffs around which I have learned the hard way unfortunately. Osprey is a quality brand that has created a beautifully designed hiking carrier for babies through to toddlers. Check out their latest design here. The carrier is incredible lightweight and uses some fancy technology that makes it feel like you aren’t carrying any weight. I have no idea how it works just that I am so thankful for it! As these babies get bigger they get so much heavier. A carrier that can absorb that weight is such a blessing for avid hiking families. These carriers will see you right through to around the 3 year mark, so they are definitely an investment for the long term. Once you have one leaving, it is likely you will have another one ready to take their place in the carrier!
I love that you can just take the carrier off and it stands alone so your child can use it as a seat while you are having a rest to refuel with out worrying about them running away and falling off a cliff or something! Which is something all mothers can resonate with me on!
What really sold me on this carrier was that Osprey offers a life time warranty on their products. This tells me that they believe in what they sell and know that it will stand up to the test of time.
You can see their range of carriers here. They also have lots of other hiking and adventuring supplies that you can stock up on too. I am loving their back packs.
3+ Years
Even when your children are getting older and more independent they still may need carrying at times. Those little legs will only carry them so far.
The Freeloader is going to be your go to carrier here. It s light weight and easy for your child to get in and out of by themselves, while not being super awkward to carry when they aren’t in it. I imagine this would be brilliant to use while travelling to busy cities or places you just need to keep your little ones close. I am wishing I had this when we went to Bali last Summer. So many dangerous roads the we ended up having to carry both our 8 month old and 3 year old.
The seat is similar to a bike seat that easily folds down from the back pack when needed. They can then climb on and put the straps over their shoulders, similar to a carseat. Their feet then get places into some perfectly placed stirrups.
Whilst it is definitely not the most comfortable ride out there and I am not sure how well they would sleep in it, it serves it’s purpose. Most children in this age group will be happy to do a lot of the hiking themselves.
These really are quite innovative you can see them more in depth here
Once you have selected the perfect carrier for you and your child it is time to set out on some adventures. Start out easy to see how well you and your child cope with this new experience. You may want to get them used to being in a carrier around home first so that it is not all brand new for them. Take plenty of snacks and water too. No one likes a hangry baby! I am sure this will be the start of many wonderful adventures together.
