elizabethadventuresblogWinter hiking with a baby can feel daunting and stressful due to the unforgiving elements. It’s completely normal to worry when trying new things with your baby! The first time I took my son snowshoeing, I was concerned that he would overheat, but I also worried he might be too cold. I checked on him nonstop, but he had the best time! Being prepared and knowing your baby’s signs are key to having an enjoyable and safe outing in the winter.
In this guide, I will share everything you need to know about winter hiking with a baby. I’ll explain how to properly layer them for colder weather, how to keep them dry, dangers to look out for, how to change their diaper in colder conditions, and more! I hope that by the time you finish this guide, you feel confident and prepared to adventure outdoors this winter with your baby. You’ve got this, and the memories will be worth all the effort!
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Things to Know About Winter Hiking With A Baby
- Winter is extremely unforgiving! Between colder temperatures, rain and snow, there is a lot of elements making it more challenging to get out with your baby. It is so important to dress your baby properly so they stay warm and comfortable on trail. It’s important to remember that they do not generate heat like we do while actively moving. Always be over-prepared in winter months.
- Because winter is so unforgiving, it’s more important than ever to go prepared. This means always carrying the 10 essentials so you can help yourself and your baby if there is an emergency on trail. You can learn about these items through my “10 Essentials” guide. If you are able to, investing in a GPS communicator is such an important safety tool to have while taking babies or kids out with you on trail. You can shop for mine here.
- Listen to your baby’s cues! If they seem really fussy or uncomfortable, it may be a sign they are cold, they are too hot or they just aren’t feeling an outing that day. Make adjustments as needed and if your baby doesn’t seem to improve with chances, know it’s okay to turn around. There is no need to push on if it’s not enjoyable for everyone. I’ve had to turn around in the winter for various reason, like the wind being too much for my son, and that’s okay.
- Always practice the Leave No Trace Principles while adventuring with your baby! This means making sure all food and trash gets taken back off trail with you. Stick to the designated trails and help keep our beautiful trails beautiful so our children can enjoy them as adults too.
- Check on your baby regularly. They may cry if they are uncomfortable, letting you know they need adjusting, but some danger signs can also be quiet. Be sure to check their body temperature and extremities often to make sure they aren’t cold OR overheating. The best way to check on their body heat is the top of their back or chest. I find my hands are a bad judge of temperature, so I often use my lips of cheek to feel. The back of the hand can also be a good tool. Baby should feel warm but not wet or clammy. It is also okay if they are cold, but you do not want white skin, which i share about below under frostbite.
The Best Carriers for Hiking With a Baby
When it comes to hiking with a baby, you’ll need to find a way to carry them that is comfortable for both of you. The two best options are frame backpack carriers and soft carriers. Both have their pros and cons, so you’ll need to decide which works best for you.
Backpack carriers are not intended for younger infants. Depending on your baby’s age, this may not be an option just yet. It is recommended that a baby can sit up independently before transitioning to a backpack carrier. If your baby is old enough to use a backpack carrier, it can help alleviate some back pain that front carriers often cause as the baby gets bigger. The downside is that you aren’t able to share your body heat in the colder months to help keep your baby warm.
Soft carriers are great for younger babies because they allow you to keep them close and share body heat. They also have added accessories to help insulate and keep your baby dry on the trail during winter. Soft carriers provide better shielding from the elements than framed backpacks, which is extremely helpful for winter hikes with a baby. You can learn more about the best carriers and the amazing accessories options in my “Hiking With A Baby” guide.
How to Dress Your Baby For Winter Hiking
Below is how I dress my baby for winter hiking. It took multiple outings to get it right for us, so do a few test outings to make sure your setup works. I’ve linked my favorite products we use as well to take some of the hunting out of your work. I”ll share about the important layers below, but you can learn more through my “How to Dress a Baby for Winter Hiking” guide.
Clothing Layers
Winter usually means cold and wet adventures. Depending on where you live, it could be extremely cold or snowy. Dressing your baby can feel tricky because you want them to be warm but also not overheat. Layering is extremely important in winter months. Avoid dressing them in cotton if you can. Stick to synthetic or merino wool fabrics for base layers. These materials dry quicker, helping keep your baby warmer when wet. I use wool base layers from Ik’splor. You can use my code ELIZABETHADVENTURES for 10% off your order and shop here.
I always dress my son in a base layer, followed by a mid layer if it’s really cold and then a puffy down bunting. If it’s not a cold day or adventure I will opt to skip the mid layer so he doesn’t overheat. Depending on where you live, a down bunting may be too warm and a fleece bunting would be a better option. I love this Patagonia down bunting as well as this Patagonia fleece.
Accessories
When it’s cold, I always use a thick beanie to keep my son’s head and ears warm. I find his hands and feet can get cold easily, despite all the layers mentioned above. When this happens, I opt to put a pair of gloves on his under his buntings. I rotate between these fleece gloves and these cold weather gloves. I use thick wool socks and if I need an extra layer over his feet, I have these Reima down booties. The booties are also great at keeping their feet dry from the elements.
If you feel your baby is still getting cold hands and feet despite these layers, you can always place a hand warmer inside a bootie or glove. Just make sure there is a layer between their skin and the hand warmer. My son tends to have extra cold hands and feet, so this is a great option for me on colder days. I check on him regularly to ensure he’s not overheating or too cold.
My son tends to get bright red cheeks if it’s really cold or snowy outside. I’ve found that having him wear one of my larger fleece neck gaiters has helped him significantly. I make sure it is well away from his nose and mouth so it doesn’t interfere with his breathing. I did not do this until he was an older baby, so please be aware of the risks of placing something near your baby’s face and constantly check on them if you choose to do this as well.
I’ve found that it helps retain some of his body heat and the warm air he breathes while not blocking his breathing. Thankfully, he hasn’t had to worry about bright red cheeks since! You can learn more about some of my favorite winter layers, here.
Accessories:
- Gloves
- Beanie
- Warm shoes or fleece/down booties
- Neck gaiter- one that won’t cover face
- Sunglasses
- Warm wool or synthetic socks
Before You Start Your Hike
A successful hike starts before you leave the parking lot! Take the time to feed your baby, change their diaper, dress them appropriately for the hike, and pack your bag. Ensuring your baby has a full belly will prevent the need to stop too soon after starting for a feed. Giving your baby a fresh diaper will also help them feel comfortable on the trail and reduce the likelihood of leaks or diaper changes.
I also wait to change my son until I’m at the trailhead to ensure he has a fresh outfit to start with in case of any car accidents. Make sure your baby is dressed in suitable clothing and layers for the time of year and the hike you are doing, as mentioned above.
Take your time packing your gear and double-check that you have everything you need for both you and your baby. I’ve forgotten items before when I didn’t do this and have had to turn around to retrieve them. Taking an extra minute to check your backpack will help prevent a possible turnaround later. You can also do a lot of this preparation at home before you even leave. Hiking with a baby doesn’t need to be difficult if you take a few extra minutes to get ready.
Danger Signs to Look Out For
I am not a medical doctor or expect so please always consult with your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns about winter hiking with a baby. Below are things you should know to look out for so you can recognize the signs and take action quickly if needed. Hopefully you’ll never experience them on trail, but it is important to be prepared and educated.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a very real danger for anyone venturing outdoors in the cold winter months, especially for younger children. Below are a few signs to look out for. If your baby exhibits any of these signs, you need to take action immediately. Get to a car or shelter as quickly as possible to warm them up. If your baby is nursing, you can breastfeed them to help warm their body. Remove all wet clothing and take steps to get their body temperature back up. Seek medical help as soon as possible if needed.
Signs to look out for:
- Baby is difficult to wake or lethargic
- Shivering
- Bright red skin that is cold to the touch
- Low energy or unusually quiet
- Fast breathing
- Pale skin
- Poor feeding or lack of appetite
Frostbite
Frostbite is another common danger when adventuring outdoors in the winter. It usually affects extremities like toes, fingers, noses, and ears first. This is why having proper layers for your baby to help keep their extremities warm is so important. Check regularly to ensure they are warm without exposing these parts to the elements if possible. I like to give my son’s hands a little kiss every so often to check if they feel cold. I also blow warm air onto his hands before putting them back into his gloves. Using hand warmers or carrying them for emergencies is a great way to help warm up extremities quickly if needed.
Signs to look out for:
- Cold, tingly, painful skin (babies usually can’t share this, so check for cold at least)
- White hard skin- Always seek medical attention
How to Change Diapers on Trail During Winter
No matter how short of a hike you do, at some point you will probably have to change a diaper on trail. You definitely don’t want to get stuck on trail without diapers if your baby poops or has a blowout either. Creating a diaper changing kit makes it easier to quickly change your baby and feel prepared on a hike. Below is a list of items I pack in my diaper changing kit:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Travel wipe container
- Wet/dry bag
- Compostable disposable bags for dirty diapers
- Hand sanitizer
- Lightweight Changing pad
In the winter months, having a seat pad to lay under your baby will help keep them warmer during a change. You can even pack an ultralight foam backpacking pad to provide extra insulation. When you go to change them, limit how much skin is exposed by removing as little clothing as possible. Change them as quickly as possible to minimize their exposure to the cold elements.
If others are with you, they can help hand you items or try to keep the baby as warm as possible. Some people will put their babies in a diaper one size up to hold more and avoid needing to change diapers on the trail, but this can also increase the risk of diaper leaks from a diaper that is too large.
What If You Forget Something?
It’ll probably happen, and know you aren’t alone! When the day comes, you’ll have two choices: let it get you down or roll with the punches and laugh about it later. It’s always a bummer if what you forget causes you to bail on the planned hike, but there’s always another day. Every instance will be different, and you’ll have to decide what you’re comfortable with and how to move forward. Given the winter conditions, always lean on the side of caution depending on which item was left behind. Winter is unforgiving, but while some items can be managed without, others just aren’t worth the risk.
So far, I have forgotten the diaper kit in the car and left the carrier at home. Unfortunately, the day I left the diaper kit in the car, my son had a massive blowout on the trail. My husband ran back a mile to the car to get it so we could continue on the hike after changing him. However, we could have just turned around. Thankfully, I didn’t leave the diapers at home and had some in the car. If I hadn’t had any diapers with me, I would have ended the hike early.
When I left the carrier at home, it wasn’t until I was two hours into a drive, with only 30 minutes left to the trailhead, that I realized the mistake. I was super bummed and frustrated, but I still wanted to get out and hike despite not having a carrier. I pivoted and found an easier, shorter trail where I could just carry him. At the end of the day, if you forget something, it’s okay. You can choose to let it ruin your day or make lemonade out of lemons and enjoy what you can.
Reminders to Safely Winter Hike With a Baby
- Layers, layers, layers. If there is anything you take away from this I hope it is the importance of properly dressing and layering your baby for colder weather. Keeping your baby warm but without overheating can feel like a bit of a juggling act, but it’s so important. Always pack extra layers and have ways or gear to keep them dry from the elements.
- Know the danger signs and be sure to check for them regularly. They can happen to anyone of any age, but babies are unable to communicate their needs. If your baby is fussy of crying, be sure to check on them regularly and adjust as needed. If you baby is extra quiet, be sure to check on them too.
- Be patient and flexible. The hike may not go as planned or it could go amazing! Don’t set too many expectations on getting outside and just let it be a fun experience. If it goes well, then great! If you have to turn around early, then you won’t feel at a loss and can still appreciate the experience and time you did have. Every outing is also a learning experience to hopefully improve for the next one.
I hope this guide helps you with safely winter hike with your baby! Winter doesn’t need to be the end of getting outside with your littles, you just need to be prepared for the harsher elements and go prepared. If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!
Happy Hiking,
Elizabeth
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