elizabethadventuresblogSnowshoeing with a baby can feel daunting. Maybe you are nervous about trying or just really excited to get out there and continue doing things you love with your new baby in tow! The first time I took my baby out snowshoeing I was nervous and had no idea how it would go. But we went anyways!
I was worried my son would either be to cold or too hot. I didn’t know if we would make it to our destination, but I knew I wanted to get out there and try. I went with the expectation that we may not make it far and it’s okay to turn around. It was more the experience and learning moment of doing it together I was after. And guess what? He did so well and we made it to the warming hut and back just fine.
Learning how to do the things you already love in a new way is so special and doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I found the more prepared I was before trying something new with my baby, the more confident I felt that I had everything I needed and the knowledge to feel confident. Below I’ll share everything I learned about snowshoeing with a baby from my own experience and research. I hope this guide helps you feel prepared so you can continue doing what you love while sharing these magical moments with your mini.
This post contains affiliate links, which can earn me a commission should you click a link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Thank you in advance for your support!
Things to Know About Snowshoeing With A Baby
The Best Carriers for Snowshoeing With a Baby
There are three main carriers to pick from when deciding what to have your baby wear on trail for winter snowshoeing. Depending on your baby’s size, age and abilities you’ll either use a wrap, soft carrier or backpack carrier. If you want more details on how to pick which carrier to use, be sure to check out my guide, “The Best Baby Carriers for Hiking.” It goes in depth on each type of carrier, including pros and cons to help you make the right choice.
If your baby is using a soft carrier, I highly recommend my Ergobaby Omni Breeze. It has cover attachments to help keep your baby warm and dry while snowshoeing. For older babies using a backpack carrier, be sure to look into windproof covers to also help protect them from snow, wind or rain. My guide linked above can help you learn move about covers and accessories as well!
How to Dress Your Baby For Snowshoeing
Winter hiking is all about layers. Just as you wear layers, your baby will need similar layers to what you are choosing to wear. Some days it’ll be cold where you’ll want all the layers below and other times you’ll just need a few. Always be prepared with the below layers. Bring them on every trip and have them in your hiking backpack so you can add or take away as needed.
One thing to remember is that while you are actively moving your body as you hike, create body heat, your baby is not. You can learn more about our dressing your baby for winter hiking my “How to Dress a Baby for Winter Hiking” guide.
Here are the layers you’ll want to have:
Base layer: A base layer should either be a synthetic material or wool, never cotton. I use these wool sets from Iksplor and love that they keep my son warm but also will dry quicker if they get wet. You can use my code elizabethadventures for an additional 10% off regular and sale prices. Wool is best at being a warm layer during winter months.
Mid layer: A mid layer is usually something like a fleece or down. For babies, I found using a fleece two piece outfit worked best because it could fit underneath my son’s down outer layer easily. A thick fleece coat wouldn’t fit as well and would leave his legs needing something. Down clothing can also be used as a base layer. I personally used a down as my son’s outer layer since it kept him the warmest and he wasn’t really getting wet.
Weatherproof outer layer: For me this is usually a down bunting. I LOVE the Patagonia Hi Loft Bunting and bought it twice! It always kept my son dry and warm while snowshoeing. The only downside is that it is only water resistant and not fully waterproof. Between my son’s carrier and covers I never had an issue with his bunting getting overly wet. Another great outer layer is waterproof rain gear. Most are designed for older infants and toddlers, so I never used it on my son prior to a year. We currently use this Jan & Jul full body suit.
One thing to remember is that while you are actively moving your body as you hike, you create body heat, but your baby is not.
Before You Start Snowshoeing With a Baby
Always start by giving baby a fresh diaper and feeding if you can. This will allow you to hopefully make it longer with out needing to change or feed them. If you’re lucky you may not need to do either until you get back to the warmth of the car if it’s a shorter hike.
Go over all the layers you think they will need and get them dressed last. If they are all dressed up and you still have to pack, they will either overheat in the car or just be exposed to the cold longer than necessary. Pack your backpack and all the snacks, water and gear you plan to take first while baby is warm inside their carseat. If there are two of you, one can be packing while the other is getting baby ready in their warm layers.
Tips for Feeding Baby on Trail
Try to feed your baby right before you start so you don’t necessarily have to stop on a cold, snowy trail to feed them. If you’re hiking to a warming hut, that is the perfect time to feed them because it’ll be dry and warm inside. If you need to feed your baby on trail, start by compacting the snow down so you can sit. I always put a foam mat down to insulate me from the cold snow. If you are breastfeeding, having a nursing friendly top or layer you can keep over you stomach is key to keeping you warm as well. I personally wear a wool base layer nursing top from Iksplor. You can use my code elizabethadventures for an additional 10% off regular and sale prices.
If you are bottle feeding, you can bring warm or room temperature water in a thermos that way the water won’t get too cold in the frigid outdoor temperatures of winter. Simply poor it into a bottle with your formula when you are ready to feed them.
Changing Diapers on Trail
The key to changing a diaper on trail is to do it quickly and with as little skin exposure to the elements as possible. This means using layers that are separate, not one pieces if possible. This will allow you to only remove the bottom layers, preferably only to their knees, and keep their upper body as warm as possible.
It’s also important to pack some soft of insulation they are lay on to protect them from getting too cold or even wet laying in snow. I personally use this foam seat cushion that I always bring hiking. I have also gifted this two pack foam cushion set, which is great because two provide more ground coverage. You can learn more about how to quickly and effectively change a baby’s diaper while snowshoeing in my “How to Change a Diaper While Snowshoeing” Guide.
What If You Forget Something?
It will probably happen at some point. It’s never fun forgetting items, but know you aren’t alone if it does happen. I forgot my baby carrier once and didn’t realize it until I was already 1.5 hours from home. It was definitely too late to turn around and too big of an item to not have for hiking. Instead I pivoted the plans and picked a much shorter hike that I knew I could manage just carrying my son in my arms on. It was a bummer. But it didn’t ruin my day because I was flexible and there to enjoy our time outdoors together. One time I also forgot our diaper kit, but thankfully it was only a mile back at the car.
If you forget something in the winter it can be a make or break situation due to the unforgiving elements. Do your best to pack the night before so you have time to go over everything and make sure you have what you need by the door or in your car. Accidents still happen, so if you forget something, you will need to determine how important of an item it is.
Is it something you can go without or is it vital at keep you or your baby warm or safe? If it’s a vital item like clothing, etc and you can’t use something else to make it work it’s best to not go out. It might feel defeating or frustrating in the moment to have to make that decision, but everyones safety is more important.
Reminders for Snowshoeing With a Baby
- Snowshoeing with a baby is all about layers. Finding the right combo for each hike can be a little stressful, but check on them regulary to gauge if they are warm enough or overheating. You can learn more about the winter layers I use for my baby, here.
- If you plan to snowshoe with a baby it is extremely important you know how to do so safely. Do you know the signs of hypothermia? Do you know what frostbite looks like? These are all things you could encounter while snowshoeing with a baby. You can learn more in my “How to Be Safe Winter Hiking With Your Baby” guide.
- Start with short, easy trails until you feel confident with the gear and clothing you have for your baby. Snowshoeing with a baby is all about trial and error and figuring out what works best for you both, so sticking to short trails will allow you to bail quickly if need be. If your baby is unhappy or showing signs they are cold, you can easily get them back to the car to reevaluate for next time.
I hope this guide helps you with your snowshoeing with a baby adventures! Being able to watch your baby see the magic of snowfall for the first time or snuggling up inside a warming hut is such a special experience I hope you can share together. If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!
Happy Hiking,
Elizabeth
Like it? Pin it?
