When starting out in any activity, I’m always interested to know ‘what exactly do I need?’ Now the last thing I want, is to scare anyone off from walking with their baby because they feel they can’t do it without a particular piece of kit, because it’s simply not the case. But here’s whats on my packing list at the moment. Hope it helps.

Full Day Hiking in UK Mountain terrain (unpredictable weather)

• Back carrier with storage – I’m using the Osprey Poco Plus with rain cover – The rain cover is a must on any UK walk, I’m going to do a full review of this carrier because I do really like it but it is spendy. The great thing however is you can pick up a bargain secondhand. The storage is great if you’re like me, and unable to pack lightly.
• Decent Walking boots/shoes with grip – No one ever wants to fall over, but you really don’t want to fall when you’re carrying a baby so boots with grip are essential.
• Layers for you and baby – When using a soft front carrier, the general rule is to consider the carrier an extra layer for the baby and your body heat as another but that isn’t the case for a back carrier you however will be working up a sweat carrying two, so remember you and baby will need very different layers. I’ll be packing Little Mans hat, coat and a jumper. If it’s warm Little Man as thin muslin trousers he can wear that keep the sun off his legs but keep him cool. ( Shorts allow for potential rubbing of skin on the carrier if Little Man is in it for a prolonged time).
• Sun protection– A lot of baby carriers do have sun shades which are great, but if you’re walking into the sun, the sun shade wont cover all of your little one. So if its sunny ( no usually a UK issue), make sure to crack out the factor 50+ and lather up.
• Baby Reins – Now this is a going to be a first for me for this trip, and is a controversial one I know. I was adamantly against the idea of Reins until I had my own wild child who is yet to understand safety but is pretty speedy. ( I was SO judegy of parenting before i was a parent and have eaten my words more than a few times!) For our next trip I have purchased a set of the Little Life Reins which he can wear over his clothes in the back carrier that will sit flat, when I take him out to explore, I’ll be able to clip on the lead ( is that what it’s called when it’s not for a dog?) and it will give me a little bit extra piece of mind when near water or up mountains.
• Changing Mat, Spare Clothes and Nappies in a dry bag – You can never be too careful of soaking everything in the UK, keep those essentials extra safe with a dry bag. I also have a specific dirty items bag to keep any soiled clothes away from the clean things if we’re super unlucky whilst out.
• Essentials – Enough food and water, snacks, tissues etc. that you would need for yourself and your little one for any day out. It’s useful to have a few ‘non’ or ‘less’ messy snacks you might let your little eat whilst walking if they’re getting fussy and its not a good place to stop ( warning, you might get crumbs in your hair).
• Teether/Toy attached to carrier or you – this might be specific to my Little Man but he really likes to pull my hair or pat my head when in the back carrier, having a few things to distract him with on a safety string really helps.

I’ll be doing reviews of my carriers soon and will update with how we get on with the reins. I hope this list helps!

Happy Adventures

Cat and Little Man