7 Handy Products to Make Hiking with a Baby Easier

Hiking and babies don’t exactly seem like two things that go well together. Babies need to be held and be showered with attention, while hiking requires focus and the use of your entire body. How is one expected to trek down a rocky incline while also holding a baby?

While that sounds laughable, there are actually a bunch of products out there that make it totally possible. With the right gear, you can definitely take your baby on a hike—even a long one. Even better? Your baby will probably love it. They get to be outside, they stay close to you, and there’s so much for them to do and experience.

The following products make hiking a realistic and comfortable experience for the whole family—even the tiniest members.

Bug Spray: Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellant

You definitely want to keep baby safe from annoying bugs and painful bites, but you also want to be careful about the ingredients in the bug spray you might use. Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellant is a great option.

Permethrin is an insecticide that is safe for babies to use because it doesn’t include any DEET. It’s best when applied to outdoor gear material, as it bonds to fabric fibers and kills ticks, mosquitos, and other insects that come into contact with it. So, you don’t even need to apply this directly to baby’s skin. (Actually, when applied directly to skin, it breaks down within about 15 minutes, so it’s actually better on other items.) You can spray this on their carrier and clothing instead. It’s odorless after drying, and can last on fabric for up to six weeks.

Read about the rest of Jessica Booth's handy products here.