So many people thought that when our baby was added to the mix, our adventures would stop. Well boy did we prove them wrong! We were back out on the trail with the dogs when Parker was 3 weeks old and we haven’t stopped since. It’s definitely a bit more complicated to include an infant in our outdoor lifestyle, but it is far from impossible. I am determined to continue to get the dogs out on the trail as often as I can. Adventure is in their blood and they need to run, to play, to explore, to be truly happy… and so do I!
Through trial and error, we have come up with a pretty good system for outdoor adventure with a baby. Hope this list of tips can help other adventure mamas out there continue their active lifestyles with their dogs, even after baby comes!
8 Tips for Hitting the Trail with Your Dog AND Baby!
Tip#1 – Timing
Most babies are on some sort of schedule. I find it really helpful to keep this in mind when planning outings. By planning your trips around nap times and your baby’s feeding schedule, you can TRY to ensure you have a happy, well rested baby (and by extension a pleasant outing). Notice I said try. There are no guarantees when it comes to kids, especially at such a young age.
What we do: Parker isn’t a big napper so I mostly plan hikes around is his feeding schedule. He eats every 2 hours, so I make sure to feed him RIGHT before we leave the house, burp him, and set off. I pack up the gear ahead of time and have bottles made up to last us a few hours. I try to pick trails that are within a 2 hour driving distance max. This way we don’t have to feed him again until we get to where we’re going. He’s a great car napper IF he’s full and happy, so he’ll usually nap in the car on the drive to the trailhead. This works out perfectly because then he’s fed and rested when we start hiking, which sets a great tone for the day.
Tip #2 – Temperature
In addition to planning hikes around feeding and sleep time, our timing also revolves heavily around the temperature. In the summer, plan to hike in the mornings or evenings when it’s less hot outside. In the fall and winter, aim for the middle of the day when the sun is high to give you that extra warmth. I already did this to keep the dogs cool and comfortable pre-Parker, now it’s just doubly important with the little guy.
Tip #3 – Freedom
Bringing a baby on hikes means I have less hands free, okay basically no hands free. To make it easier (and more fun) for me and the dogs, I try to pick hikes where they don’t need to be on leash the whole time. Plus, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m a lot slower right now. Baby wearing is awesome, but I’m more careful with my footing and just more cautious overall. I mean, I’m carrying precious cargo! So, if the dogs can be off-leash, they can run up and down the trail and get all of their energy out, even when I’m being a slowpoke. Win-win!
Tip #4 – Base “Camp”
Our hikes are a bit shorter still right now with Parker being so young (3 months at the moment), but that doesn’t mean the dogs have any less energy to burn. In addition to off-leash exploration on the trail, I find it super helpful to find a good spot to set up camp. Since it’s summer and HOT as Hades in the South right now, I generally look for a flat, shaded spot near a lake or river. Once we find the perfect spot, I set up Parker’s tent and sleeping bag in the shade. Little man has been outside almost every day since he was born and is super content to just lounge around and watch the wind blow the leaves on the trees, listen to the birds, etc, at least for a few minutes. This gives me a chance to play with the dogs, throw sticks in the lake for them to catch, etc. It’s also convenient when it’s time to feed or change the baby, etc. I can do what I need to do and the dogs can run around hunting for fish or rolling in God knows what (fish guts, poop, all the fun smelly stuff).
Tip #5 – Shade
Babies and sun do not mix. Their skin is super sensitive to the sun and they’re not supposed to wear sunscreen for at least 6 months. So, pediatricians recommend that they stay out of the sun as much as possible during that time. This means we opt for trails through thick forest rather than grassy balds or mountain summits with little protection from the sun. We would honestly be doing this anyway right now for the most part because, you know, summer + South = death. Haha!
Tip #6 – Nourishment
Trail snacks are super important for any day on the trail. I always bring high protein snacks for us humans, high quality energy-filled treats for the pups, and now plenty of milk for the little guy. I use a small insulated bottle bag and bring at least 3 bottles on each hike, which gives me about a 6 hour window for exploring. Just like snacks and water for the humans and pups, ALWAYS err on the side of caution and bring more than you think you need. The last thing you want is a hungry, cranky baby in the middle of the woods. If you breastfeed, you obviously don’t need to worry about this (YAY for milk on demand), but since little man is adopted and on donor milk, I need a supply of bottles on hand at all times.
Tip #7 – Baby Wearing
When you’re hiking with your dog(s) AND a baby, you constantly have the issue of not having enough hands. Hands to hold leashes, dish out treats, throw a stick, etc. This is why baby wearing is such a lifesaver! All I have to do is buckle Parker in his carrier and I have both hands free to tend to both him and the dogs on the trail. I can’t recommend it enough!
Tip #8 – Entertainment
Because we like to set up base camp and hang out for a while, entertainment is key. My dogs love fetching sticks in the lake, but sometimes it’s hard to find good ones and having a toy for backup is imperative. We love tennis balls, frisbees, pretty much anything that floats! Don’t forget to bring toys for the baby too. We usually bring some sort of rattle or crinkle toy and a teether for Parker to chew on while he relaxes in the shade.
The best piece of advice I can give to new moms who are dying to get back on the trail with their pups but are scared to do so it this.. Start small. Set realistic expectations. Go with the flow. And most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Have other tips that you’ve picked up along the way? Or maybe questions for us? Leave us a note in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for reading!
Debbie & The Mutts
31 Comments
Parker is so lucky to be getting so much time outdoors at a young age. As he grows, I’m sure these will be his happiest memories.
I sure hope so! Thank you 🙂 I know he won’t remember these early adventures, but I hope it builds a thirst for nature and wild places in his heart that will last a lifetime.
Your pictures are amazing and the scenery gorgeous! I couldn’t agree with you more, I never understood why just because people had kids they’re lives had to stop. Why not keep doing what you love, okay adjustments have to be made but that’s part of the fun. I think kids would grow up so much happier and well rounded if they got to see and explore life.
Thank you so much! I love exploring new places with my little family and capturing our outdoor adventures! I don’t get why people stop living their lives when they have a kid either. I’m guessing it’s the extra work? It’s only a hassle if you don’t get extra satisfaction out of spending quality time with your kids, in my opinion. It’s most definitely more work, but I can’t think of any better way to spend that extra time and effort. I love introducing Parker to new people and places, sights and sounds. He loves being on the move and experiencing life. I hope to instill that thirst for adventure in him as he grows up. Thanks for reading!
Holy dog-athon, you’re a brave woman! Life of adventure, indeed, but your planning tips make a lot of sense for both infants and dogs. I admire your determination–and your baby will enjoy growing up in this lifestyle as well. Best of all worlds! (love the pictures, too).
Aww thank you! I love doing it, extra work and all. It’s worth it to see my loved ones happy, furry and furless! The dogs love the freedom and the adventure and it seems like Parker does too already, even at such an early age! Thanks so much for stopping by our blog and for your sweet comment!
This is such a helpful post! I’m definitely tweeting & pinning to help other new moms who don’t want to give up the active life. I’ve never heard of “donor milk” for babies, that’s really interesting. Parker is so insanely adorable, he’s going to be a master hiker and dog whisperer when he’s grown! Thanks for sharing these tips.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thanks so much for sharing our post! I hope it finds other moms who need that little extra push to keep up their active lifestyles, and their dogs’ too! Yes, donor milk. I didn’t know it was a thing really either before Parker. I mean, I knew that you could get it in the NICU if you had a preemie, but I didn’t know about all of the amazing donors and networks out there working to help feed the world’s little ones. I am forever grateful for our milk mommas! And thank you, we think Parker is pretty cute too, though we may be a bit biased! He will surely be a master of all things dog and outdoors, that’s for sure!
Great tips especially for first baby parents and my nephew has been the same with my great niece, she is now 3 but from day one he did not stop his outdoor life because of her and I think it actually is healthier in the long run for everyone. I love seeing the photos of what they are up to. Parker is just adorable and you are so smart with what you are doing.
That’s so great to hear about your nephew and great niece! I love seeing other parents get their kids out into nature at a young age. It’s so good for them and for the parents too. Active lives are healthy lives! Thanks so much for the love and support. It means a lot! We love our active little life 🙂
How cool is this and seems everyone had a blast, baby, dog and the whole family. Your photography is so beautiful. Great job on this one. Loving all the tips!
Thank you so much! We definitely all have a great time when we head out on an adventure, whether it be a simple stroll at the park or a hike up a mountain. It’s more fun when we’re all together!
I can’t believe how big Parker is getting! I always enjoy your posts with your gorgeous photos.
He’s growing like a weed, I swear! Ahh, time SLOW DOWN! Thank you, so glad you like them <3
Always love your photos, they are so inspiring and such stunning locations! Parker is so adorable and he will probably grow up to be a park ranger, i’m sure he will have such a love of the countryside and outdoors! These tips are great, not just for hiking with babies, but hiking for everyone, great that you emphasised to start small, when change happens in your life, you always remember what you used to do and then realise that you cant achieve that anymore, so start small, enjoy it and don’t beat yourself up!
You’re so sweet! So glad you enjoy seeing photos from our adventures. Ha! I would not be upset in the slightest if he decided to be a park ranger. I wouldn’t be surprised either! You are so right too, starting small and not putting too much pressure on yourself is key in so many situations in life, not just hiking, It’s all about planning, practice, and attitude! Thanks for reading 🙂
I’m so happy that you have figured out ways to keep on living your adventures! Parker is so cute and looks so happy!
Thank you! I knew it would take a bit more work and planning, but it is well worth it to see him so happy and in his element outside!
Parker is a lucky little man growing up in out of doors. I think it is great that your dogs are still getting what they need and your little guy fits in. The pictures in the post are awesome, I love the one with the dog in the water with the red frisbee
Thanks Holly! I hope he thinks so too as he grows up. We do our best to make sure everyone gets the time, attention, and exercise that they need, dog and human. Boomer was so happy that day swimming with her frisbee! It’s one of my favorite pics of her too.
Wow! Good for you for getting back out there so soon. It looks like everyone had a fabulous time. I absolutely love the photo of you, Parker, and pup on the beach. And the rest of the photos are beautiful, too. The running shot – gah! I love seeing families that love two and four-legged members. Also, congratulations! Beautiful xoxo
I could not WAIT to get Parker out into nature! He loves it so much and we all have a great time. As long as I plan correctly, it’s always a really positive experience for everyone. Thanks so much for your sweet comment about my photos! I love taking them and sharing them with you all.
Your pictures are amazing and I know Parker will grow up loving the outdoors. It is part of our lives that, if removed, causes such depression. Nature and the outdoors is amazing and the pups are having a blast!
YESS! I love that quote “Nature is my therapy”. It is so true. Life’s problems fall away as you hike and convene with nature and you remember what is truly important in this life. It’s magical and I love sharing it with my little man and pups. It’s good for the soul!
Wow, we’ve done plenty of camping and trips with dogs and older kids but dogs and a baby that would scare me 🙂
It can definitely be a bit daunting at first, but it’s really not that bad if you plan right. And introduce them young too! Parker is so at peace outside that it’s sometimes easier than being in the house! LOL
These are great tips! Kudo’s to you for getting out there, it can’t be easy! Your baby is adorable!!!
Thanks for sharing your tips! I love that having a new baby hasn’t slowed you down with taking outdoor adventures with the pups! Will have to share this post to inspire other new moms to get out the house.
I admire how you are able to combine all of your loves – hiking, dogs, and family – so effectively.
Great tips for figuring out how to meld hiking with dogs with a baby. I’ve taken older kids on outings with Mr. N and I thought that was a lot of work!
I love this. Personally never wanted kids but I see you doing this and think BRAVO! well done. Your baby is getting air, sun and more… and learning right off the bat to share you and his adventures with his furry siblings. It’s awesome.