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Congratulations on being a new parent! Having a baby will change your life in ways that you never imagined. However, just because you have a kid now doesn’t mean that you need to trade in your outdoor gear for a pass to the Children’s museum (not that the Children’s museum isn’t awesome). Wanna know the secret? Read on!
Quickly after junior is born, you will realize that at first they only do 3 things – eat, sleep, and poop. Okay, I guess that they are awake sometimes too, but that’s the easy part. Once you learn to figure our the other three, having your baby awake on an adventure is just icing on the cake. Start out early by going on adventures as soon as you comfortably can (read Adventures with an Infant – Start NOW).
Eat
Feeding a baby can be an adjustment all on it’s own, so feeding a baby on an adventure can be an adventure in and of itself. The only way to get good at it is practice. Of course the easiest way to feed a baby while you’re out is breastfeeding. It’s nice because you don’t have to worry about preparing or packing anything extra. Bottle feeding is a little more complex, but still totally doable (just make sure to take plenty of bottles and formula). Here are some great tips that can help you be more comfortable feeding on the go:
- Practice. Get used to feeding your baby in many different places before you attempt something big. You will get more comfortable with feeding and your baby will learn that it’s fine to eat places that are not familiar to them.
- Support. It can be helpful to have a little back support while you are feeding your baby. Where possible find a seat or a bench. If that’s not available, a large tree or rock make great backrests to help you be more comfortable.
- Privacy. Most women prefer to have privacy while feeding. Not only will it make mom more comfortable but it can also help baby be less distracted and eat better. Head off the trail and sit behind a log or rock, relax and enjoy that you get to be outside sharing wonderful experiences with your baby. Nursing covers or blankets also help provide privacy, though require some practice to get used to.
- Clothing. If you’re nursing invest in a good nursing bra. If you’re out on adventures, make sure you have one that provides plenty of support. Also, make sure you are wearing a shirt that provides easy access for nursing. If you want outdoor clothing that also allows you to nurse, Mountain Mama Maternity can’t be beat.
Sleep
Don’t make the same mistake we did and wait until baby #3 is born to get a carrier that you really like – get one now! We have the Beco Butterfly II and couldn’t be happier with it. As your baby gets bigger, you can carry them in a backpack (ours is an older version of the Kelty Junction). If you’re doing something stationary (like rock climbing), take blankets and lay the baby down in the shade for a nap (remember to bring extra blankets if it’s cool).
Poop
Here are a few things we’ve learned for getting out with a newborn:
1. START NOW!! We often hear new parents talking about what age they will go do things with their baby. Our rule of thumb is that if Mom is up for it, then go for it. Babies are so easily adaptable that you can take them to do almost anything!
2. Establish a habit. Get into the habit now of going out and doing things with your baby. It’s a lot easier to take a two year old camping if they have been doing it their whole life than one who has never been outside. If you want to spend time outside together as a family, make it a habit so that everyone is more comfortable with it down the road.
3.. Do what you are comfortable with. Right after you have a baby may not be the best time to pick up a new hobby, but it is a great time to continue what you used to do. Pack up your baby in a carrier or stroller and bring them along with you. Luckily, for the first few months they mostly just eat and sleep so this is a great time to bring baby into your routine. Also, listen to your motherly instincts, they will help you know if your adventures are safe for your new baby. We often recommend hiking and camping as easy beginnings.
Gear Recommendations:
Mountain Mama Maternity San Juan Eco Hoodie- If you are looking for a top that will allow you to nurse and adventure, check this one out. The crossover top makes nursing modestly a cinch. I also love the extra long length and long sleeves with thumb loops. It’s also nice and stretchy allowing it to stretch over a pregnant belly and also move with you on your adventures. I’m thrilled to finally find a top that will last for both pregancy and nursing, giving you more bang for your buck. It’s honestly the softest top in my drawer, even after multiple washings. Since it is a crossover and has very flexible fabric, I recommend wearing something under it (so your baby doesn’t grab your shirt and pull it down…).
Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Baby Bottle – Although looks aren’t everything, tough gear always has a way of helping you act just a little more adventurous. Skip the baby bottles adorned with Teddy Bears and Bows and go straight for Klean Kanteen’s stainless steel bottle. A fun baby accessory or gift for new parents. Check out our full review here.
Lilac and Lollipops Nursing HideAway – with the popularity of nursing covers in the last few years, breastfeeding in public is gaining popularity. It’s really no wonder though, since these covers stay up, keep you covered, and still allow you to see your baby. I have a cover that goes wherever I go and is one of the best pieces of baby gear I own. Lilacs and Lollipops makes the cutest ones around in lots of fun designer prints, and has a great overall clasp to help the adjustable neckstrap stay put (the clasp is the best design I’ve seen).
Giveaway:
One lucky winner will win our “Baby Adventure” prize pack full of lots of great gifts for mom to take care of all of your feeding needs while out adventuring, including: a Mountain Mama San juan Eco Hoodie, a Klean Kanteen 9 oz baby bottle, and a Lilacs and Lollipops HideAway.
We would like to thank Mountain Mama and Klean Kanteen for supplying products for this review. As always, these opinions are totally our own and are not influenced by anyone else.
Your baby is so cute…and getting big!!
And, the thing that I think is hardest with going places with little kids (especially babies) is all the extra stuff you get to take!
I think the hardest thing about taking kids places is packing enough water to make bottles with! I never know just how many to pack and I don’t want to use different water!
Hoping to win this for my brother and sister in law who are nervous about how their first baby (due any day!) is going to change their active outdoor life! The hardest part (in my opinion) is just getting out the door! Thanks for a great giveaway!
dealin with tantrums on an adventure, scares me!
demureprincesa7(at)gmail(dot)com
sunscreen. I hate sunscreen on babies.
When and where am I going to nurse (at this stage of my life.) All the extra stuff is number 2 on my list!
That is the coolest bottle! If only my child would take one!
I think I’m mostly worried about keeping the other kids with me when we go places like the grocery store. Thank goodness for baby carriers to keep your hands free!
Though we’ve started slowly, my four-month old and I are planning several upcoming adventures. I just ordered the Kelty kid carrier, so I am stoked to let him explore with me.
Making sure I don’t forget anything i need for the little one! I always worry I am going to forget something we really needed!
All the extra stuff! I always feel like a bag lady with the million and one different things I end up bringing with us.
Carrying a dirty diaper with me. Boy, I just love having a poopy diaper to add to all the other stuff I am carrying.
Sleep disruption! Getting off schedule, having trouble in a new bed/(tent?!), it’s tough!
I think the hardest part is bringing ALL the extra stuff!
Maybe I’m the strange but my only fear with taking the kids,babies,wife,scouts etc. is some word allergic reaction that would require an Er visit
I think the hardest thing is all the stuff you have to take and the fear of forgetting that key item.
remembering to bring everything!
The hardest thing is figuring out what your little one needs based on just their cries and lots of guessing.
I agree with the others who said all the extra stuff!!
Figuring out what we actually need without bringing too much.
So much to bring along, and I always worry about nap times, feedings in public, and a crying baby.
I have 2 boys ages 5 & 6 and now 3 nieces ages 5,6 & the 3rd going on 4mths. I babysit my nieces on weekends,holidays,and the youngest everyday my sister works. Talk about being a handful and hard. Taking them all places is a real task trying to keep up with everyone.
aemgeg4 (@) yahoo (dot) com
My biggest intimidation now is having infant twins, plus the two older boys. We’re going to have to be creative in back carriers next summer!
To me, breastfeeding!
-Ashley Marie Morrissey
[email protected]
Nice hiking baby carrier!
Definitely the tantrums.
Dealing with the elements is the most challenging
I guess keeping them out of the elements. You’re not supposed to put sunscreen on babies less than six months and my girls are SUPER white babies and burn while in the shade from reflections. They also get cold easier but can overheat. So with babies I’ve felt somewhat limited. Lol, I just saw the comment right above mine. I wasn’t copying! 😉
Meltdowns in large crowds are always a worry. Also, explosive diapers.
Where to change diapers…
how much gear is too much? what if you forget something key?
To me the hardest part is having to pack all the extra stuff for the baby
Nursing in public is always a big obstacle for me, as my little one does not like to be covered up. I think this gear would make it so much easier!
The hardest thing with my son, was the colic!!
the hardest thing is getting them all dressed in the winter and taking all the other things baby needs
The hardest part is getting out of the house.
Carrying everything you need and not forgeting something.
Nursing in public.
The hardest part is just getting out of the house! I don’t want to bring a million things but it seems like I always forget something and really regret it. So it sometimes becomes almost debilitating and I can’t even leave the house in the first place! I’m working on it though…
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Euripides.
Euripides who?
Euripides clothes, Eumenides clothes.
going out in public, I bring only the bare minimum necessities! If it feel like my baby bag is too heavy or big, I will not bring it in, and then not have ANYTHING when I really need it!!
just keeping them all close can be a hassle sometimes
We have a brand new baby and a 2 year old…and I’m most afraid I won’t be able to keep track of both of them.
the hardest part for me is being able to find a place to breastfeed where i am comfortable!!
Bringing enough clothes for when the baby has a blowout
Bringing all the things the kids will need!
Knock knock
whose’s there?
Old lady
old lady who?
I didn’t know you could yodel!
*Courtesy of my boyfriend
Bwahaha Sam Stamp! Nice knock knock joke.
I think the hardest part of taking baby with you is remembering everything you’ll need, while under the influence of sleep deprivation.
Raising them to turn out to be good
We were never really intimidated taking our babies out. We started them both early. 1st camping trips for both of them was at 4 months. Start them early!
The thing I find the hardest about taking kids anywhere is taking enough stuff to be prepared for everything without taking so much stuff that you can’t carry it all.
When my kids were little the hardest part of taking them on adventures was the diapers! We cloth diapered, and it wasn’t any fun to carry around a bag of stinky diapers in your backpack. lol.
Changing their diaper!
[email protected]
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Interrupting cow.
Interrup-MOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
sunscreen i guess.. or diapering, since we use cloth.
With 2 now it’s keeping the preschooler entertained web I’m on my own and need to stop to nurse and change diapers
We traveled to Santiago, Chile (an *unplanned* overnight stop in Dallas) and then another 14-hour flight the next day when our son was 2 1/2 months old. The thing I most regret was not packing formula into the carry-on bag…we barely made it with the pre-filled bottles we had…my milk had dried up by that time and my son was eating *alot*!!! There was nowhere close to buy formula or diapers or wipes and the airline and hotel didn’t carry them either! 🙁
Dealing with getting them to sleep.
Taking baby is hard because you feel like you take the whole house with you
feeding them : )
The hardest part is going somewhere and the baby ends up with a fever or something. I had an entire pharmacy in my diaper bag!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I’m always intimidated by the thought of a screaming fit at the most inopportune time!
Worrying about how a baby will act in any given situation.
dealing with winter illness when it’s already made it’s way to you, your husband , and three kids
I think the hardest part is how heavy a baby can get. Thanks for the giveaway!
The safety of it all! Worrying about falling or the baby getting sick because of being outside so much!
The hardest part is changing his diaper on one of those small diaper change tables. He hates them!
These things would be great for any baby
carrying the baby for a long period of time would be hard
The most difficult part is to have to not just do it for oneself, but to cater to the little ones – not go as far, not go as high… and still remember to enjoy the experience for the treasure that it is.
Getting hungry and crying while you are driving is the worst!
If they pee and it goes through the carrier. We cloth diaper and sometimes the carriers ‘squeeze the diaper’ so it leaks.
Expecting in 7 weeks: i guess my fear is the child doesn’t enjoy it and screams blue murder the whole way! (though admittedly that should mean they wear themselves out and sleep…);
diaper changes on the road
I got it down now, but at first it was hard taking baby and cloth diapering while out and about.
weather. unexpected or extreme weather freaks me out the most with little ones.
I don’t think I’d like the idea of changing a baby outside when it’s cold…
Having to deal with tantrums. yikes
I have a 2 yr old. Im terrified of him having a tantrum in public. So far we have been very fortunate 🙂 Knock on wood!