Backpacker! In the mountains with a small child
Up here I don’t live in me, but I become a part of what surrounds me. High mountains are a feeling for me. (Lord Byron)
Walking in the mountains has always been my outlet , a moment of my own in which to leave all negative thoughts in the drawer of the house and dedicate myself only to myself. Wake up at dawn, have a good and abundant breakfast, backpack and go! No timetable to respect, no one to account for, just me, nature and a goal to reach. A challenge that became more and more impervious every time.
I have always believed that nothing would hinder me in this passion of mine. But one thing is what you think another is reality! After Giulia’s birth, I very often thought about planning a trip alone to the mountains. I made a thousand mental schemes to decide who to leave it with in the morning, at lunch and during the afternoon hours before my return. But every time I have always given up and put off for the future. It took more than two years to understand that the escape into the mountains should no longer be just mine, but my daughter should have become my new and undisputed companion!
Essential things not to forget
Before leaving, it is useful to make sure you have everything you need with you , even if it is a matter of walking for a few hours or not very demanding… but with children in the mountains it is always better to be farsighted.
- High protection sun cream, lip balm, sunglasses , a disinfectant, plasters and gauze, wet wipes.
- Water bottle with fresh water and some snacks (be careful where you place them in your backpack, to avoid them being crushed).
- A picnic blanket. A complete change of linen, a waterproof jacket, a hat, a sweater and a pair of long trousers. Logically, the clothes to put in the backpack will vary according to the season.
How to choose the baby carrier backpack
Before choosing the backpack, you need to ask yourself the kind of mountain excursion you intend to undertake, that is, whether it is a short path with little slope or a more demanding route that requires several hours of walking.
In the first case, just choose and rent the most comfortable model in a special shop, better after trying it on your shoulder with the child sitting inside. I’m generally more inclined to more demanding trips and therefore to use technical models that can easily be purchased in shops specializing in the sale of mountain equipment.
These child carrier backpacks generally consist of an aluminum frame and have an awning for the sun or rain, they can also be adjusted according to the child’s height so as not to load too much the mother’s back. They are generally approved up to 20 kg of weight of the child.
Recommendations for use
- Avoid days that are too cold, windy or muggy.
- In order not to lose balance during the journey, it is better to use the child carrier backpack using a pair of trekking poles. Children often fall asleep on the way and can throw you off balance.
- Better to make a few stops and check how the baby feels. Give him water often .
- Gradually deal with the experience and duration of the routes.
- In the evening you may have a little pain in your back and hips, some stretching will help.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.