Bringing Baby

By John McKinney

• Choose a child-carrier that has good head support for the baby, and with a design that’s secure but not ultra-constricting to the child. Like any backpack, a child-carrier should fit well and feel comfortable on the parent’s back.
• Dress your baby warmly. Remember, the baby is lots less active than you and needs to be warmer.
• Bring all the usual baby stuff. Remember all the in-town baby essentials such as food, bottles,  a toy, diapers and wipes. Take a plastic bag to carry out soiled diapers and towelettes so they can be disposed of properly.
• Stop frequently to check—or have your hiking companion check—the baby’s temperature status. Make sure your baby is warm, but not overheated.
• Avoid hiking at high altitude. Babies, particularly those who live with flatlander parents, do not adjust well to increased ear pressures and other strains of high altitude.
• Take it slow and easy. Don’t try to ford fast-moving rivers or descend steep grades with that bundle of joy on your back. And watch out for low-hanging branches!