JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado — Here in Colorado, we start our kids young when it comes to exploring the outdoors.
How young? To answer that question, meet Colorado dad Carlos Cady, who is part of Kallin’s Hiking Group and takes his baby daughter on all sorts of adventures!
It might sound daunting to take your baby on a hike, so we asked Cady for his tips. Check those out below! 9NEWS Reporter Katie Eastman tagged along with Kallin’s Hiking Group for a three-mile trip on Mt. Falcon. Watch the video above to learn about her adventure.
This story is part of the weekly 9Adventures series, where 9NEWS highlights some of the adventures that take place in Colorado. Have any ideas for what we should check out next? Use #9Adventures!
NEED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAILS? Check out our list of 9 kid-friendly hikes within 2 hours (or less!) from Denver
First thing’s first: What should you bring on a hike with your baby?
Cady said when it comes to taking his daughter hiking, he always brings plenty of stuff for her … and kind of neglects his own needs. Here’s his list of the essentials when it comes to bringing your baby on a hike.
- Water
- Baby sunscreen
- Adult sunscreen
- Extra outfit
- Baby jacket
- Diaper change
- Sunglasses
- Baby hat/sunglasses
- Snacks/extra milk
- Proper shoes
- Rain gear
- Tethered toy
- Small mirror
- Empty plastic bag
- Small first-aid kit
At what age can my baby start hiking?
Cady: Usually when your baby is strong enough to hold their head up unassisted (6 months). Always check with your pediatrician if you think they are ready. Kallin started in the backpack at 7 months.
Where do I find trails to hike?
Cady: Kallin and I have been using Alltrails to plan our outings. Alltrails has great descriptions and recent reviews. Others have used The Hiking Project.
Can I hike using a front carrier?
Cady: Yes, if your baby is more comfortable in a front carrier. However this tends to block vision near your feet, therefore more caution must be taken on rough trails. In my opinion it’s too risky, however we have hiked with parents who have had no issues.
Which baby backpack is best?
Cady: Kallin’s pack is a Kelty FC 2.0 Frame Child Carrier, this one has lots of storage for all the extra baby supplies. The shade takes a minute to attach, only downside I have noticed. Others use Deuteronomy packs and Osprey. If you can find a used Osprey these seem to have all the best features. REI will fit a pack to you with your baby in the pack.
How do I know which snacks to bring?
Cady: We started with extra milk. Then added Puffs, Yogis, and water. Once your kid is old enough, the pouches have worked well for eating on the go. Kids seem to like the green pea crisps or similar veggie straws.
How long or far should I expect to hike?
Cady: I would start by wearing your pack/carrier around the house or neighborhood. This way baby gets used to the idea and it’s easier to adjust the pack at home. Then start with a 2 to 3 mile hike. For reference, we have hiked 2.5 miles on the short end to 6.4 miles on the long end. These packs weigh 30 to 40 pounds, so 1.5 mph is a good pace. Most of these hikes take us 2 to 3 hours to complete.
How should I dress my baby?
Cady: Remember baby skin is thin, they will overheat and get cold much faster than we do. Cover as much of their skin as you can. Use baby sunscreen on all the exposed areas (ankles tend to get exposed when pants ride up). Try to use sun hats and/or sunglasses. The UV exposure in Colorado is intense. Bring extra layers (hoodie, rain coat, mittens, socks) for them since weather changes and temperatures can fall rapidly.
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