HikeArizona.COM

i'm going to be doing the research on this, but I figured I'd check in with y'all, 1st. does anyone have any 1st hand experience with this subject? We're thinking of having kids and I'm planning ahead. I don't want to stop backpacking, but want to be safe. I read of one woman on this site who backpacked the aravapai canyon at 8 mos pregnant, I believe! That seems incredible and encouraging. u just don't hear about that much. well, at least I don't. I'm wondering how safe it is to carry all that weight while pregnant...

I'm also wondering about backpacking with a small baby. how do most carry the weight?: one person carries the baby and baby's stuff and another person carries everything else? That's a lot of weight!! is the tent and the heavy stuff usually left home? who's done this and how doabale is it?

I have seen parents hiking down Kaibab & Bright Angel with infants on their back in carriers - Sunburnt, covered in dust. I have assisted parents with infant CPR on Rim Trail in July -- It does not take much to send an infant into heat shock! I don't think infants are really happy being hauled down and out....Seen air evacs of dehydrated infants in Utah (Zion). Till your child is old enough to hike -- find a baby sitter for your extended hikes as well as "epics". More enjoyment for all involved!

Shorter hikes in friendly weather -- more fun more safe!!

Desertgirl makes good points. In addition to being prone to dehydration, babies also don't have a fully developed immune system and this activity might expose them to something they might prefer to encounter later in life. Also, many bites/stings that are an irritant or at worst a major pain to healthy adults can be quite damaging or even deadly to infants and toddlers. Points to ponder in any event.

while searching for hikes in AZ, I stumbled upon this page that is actually a journal of a young couple. It starts as the 2 of them backpacking and hiking all over, she becomes pregnant and then the fun starts! You will read hilarious and uplifting tales of their journeys with child, and lately they are expecting their 2nd...Plenty of info about camping while pregnant, camping with children and so on.. check it out!
http://www.arizonahikingtrails.com/naked

I was car camping by the time I was 5 months old. I have 6 siblings and all of us camped as infants. This was "car" camping, it was also in the mid-west where keeping warm is more important. I also brought my boys up camping since they were babies.
Your best bet is to consult your doctor though.
My activity level didn't change much when I was pregnant, but those last few weeks, it's doubtful that you are going to want to do a lot of strenuous activity. Those extra 20-25 pounds can be a killer in addition to your backpack. Also when my son would move, he would pull me off balance my last 4-6 weeks. I went from a 22 inch waist to 43 inches in 9 months and it's all out front.....hmm, maybe the backpack would have balanced me and made my back feel better, only thing, I would NOT have been able to use the waist belt.
Good luck to you!

I say backpack (or anything else for that matter) all you want while you are pregnant as long as you feel able. I feel the more active you are the healthier you will be in your pregnancy, labor and delivery. I ran a 5k the week before my 6th child was born and delivered her at home with a labor of about 2 hours. As far as the backpacking with baby though I agree. get a babysitter. Car camping is one thing. Kids love it. But everyone will be much happier and safer if the little one stays home.

CindyC wrote: I ran a 5k the week before my 6th child was born and delivered her at home with a labor of about 2 hours.

I really think your name ought to be changed to WONDERWOMAN! I totally admire you! Mary

I thought that pregnant women are not supposed to lift anything in the last trimester?

DoFear wrote:I thought that pregnant women are not supposed to lift anything in the last trimester?

I hate to say this but I think that was made up by some lazy pregnant woman to get others to do the work for her :roll: If a woman keeps herself fit and healthy before her pregnancy and throughout I don't see why much has to change. Of course there are exceptions and they should be considered. In a normal, low risk pregnancy I would think a woman would want to continue all normal activities.