Posted by Darren White on January 13, 2007 at 4:45 PM
This is for all those fathers out there or fathers to be...
My wife is having our first child around the middle of April and I am planning on taking 10 weeks off from the middle of July to the end of Sept and I having all this free time I am gonna wanna get out there and do some hiking and photography but would also like to take the kid along too.....
I am curious if there is a product to place a very small child in and sling around your back so that you could hike with your newborn...
if anyone has info on a good product that works well...please let me know!!
Thanks
Posted by Jeremy Cram on January 13, 2007 at 7:05 PM
I use the REI kidpack and its great. It has a space for a water bladder and a detachable backpack to carry the baby essentials. I don't think I'd take a newborn it in though, it may be a bit too big for that. I think I took my boy Jack out after he was around nine months, but he is a very little kid. Good luck and have fun.
Oh one thing I'd suggest is taking someone with you to carry your gear. The pack leaves practically no room camera and tripod. I use a belt attached Lowe bag to carry my stuff, but the tripod was awkward with the baby on the back.
I use the Kelty Pathfinder (also available at REI). I carry a Platypus bladder in the detachable backpack, and some odds & ends for my son, but that's about all that will fit. Here's a photo of my son at 6 months in the pack. He's been pretty good sized, so at 6 months he was fine in the pack (and would sack out for 2-3 hours at a pop when hiking). We still use this pack and he is about 2 1/2 now and just under 40 lbs., so I am somewhat thankful no photo gear will fit in the pack It also comes with a rain hood that can be somewhat handy.
As far as hauling gear, I go pretty light when carrying my son, and then beg/plead with my wife to carry it.
Unless your wife is planning on hiking with you, I doubt you'll be able to take the baby along with you in the 1st couple months at least for any extended period of time. Feeding occurs every couple hours at least and the baby sleeps the rest of the time. It's critical for the mom the be able to nurse as often as necessary in the beginning stages so her milk supply increases as much as possible - it doesn't just happen. Also, don't plan on much 'free' time because you'll be very busy helping out around the house. Sorry to have to break it to you but the 1st 3 months are tough. The reality is your photography may have to take a back seat until things settle down. It's especially tough on the conscious for the husband to go out and enjoy things when your wife is stuck at home with the baby. On the flip side once the child is old enough to enjoy the outdoors it's a blast. Took my son camping for the 1st time this past fall and it was very cool.
Posted by Darren White on January 13, 2007 at 10:16 PM
actually my wife will be home with the child for the first 3 months and I will be home for the second 3 months and those months fall during some great hiking and photography opps...
I am not talking about going out for a all day hike with the child...I am just thinking about when I do go on hikes less than 5 miles or so....
thanks for the info I will be sure to check out REI soon!!!
D
Posted by Sean Hyde on January 14, 2007 at 12:49 AM
Depending upon size/age Darren, I'm a big fan of the "Baby Bjorn" for newborn/infant, especially because the child can be in front of you so you can attend to her/his needs, while still carrying a photo-back on your back and easily taking pictures. Once bigger, something like Brett's, and then even a little bigger we used the REI (model??) for toddlers/etc. My 3 yr. old still fits it, but she only lasts so long before she wants to get down & dirty
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on January 14, 2007 at 1:09 PM
First off Congrats on the soon-to-be new arrival. Get ready for your universe to flip upside down...
I'd suggest not taking the baby out for photo op trips until they are older. Your focus will shit away from the newborn and at this early age, that can lead to not very good results. Hate to say it but camera will be come less of a priority pretty soon (in a very good way)...... I can't imagine taking my daugthter on an outing with camera durring "photographer" hours even now and she's six years old.
Posted by Mark Hudon on January 14, 2007 at 1:39 PM
Darren,
You can't carry them in those kinds of backpack till they are strong enough to hold up their heads. I think for the first four or five months you'll be going with a cloth front carrier.
Still though, when you get one, get a good one as you will be using it for three or four years. We had a Kelty from REI.
Posted by Darren White on January 14, 2007 at 2:24 PM
Thanks Mark, that is what I was looking for to begin with!
John, By the time my daughter is 6 my daughter will have her own DSLR and be wanting me to take her out shooting...(at least I hope she does)
Ditto what Mark said. The Kelty (with the rain hood) is the one we opted for after Milton graduated out of the Baby Bjorn. For the BP'ing part, the backpack that zips onto the carrier does not hold much stuff for baby, let along other things. Look for a camera bag that straps on the front and be light on photo stuff or your knees will hurt
BTW, congrats and I'll be in the same boat as you come Jan. 31 (Kaia's induction date). If it's like last time, we didn't get out for at least 6 months
Discussion
9 repliesMy wife is having our first child around the middle of April and I am planning on taking 10 weeks off from the middle of July to the end of Sept and I having all this free time I am gonna wanna get out there and do some hiking and photography but would also like to take the kid along too.....
I am curious if there is a product to place a very small child in and sling around your back so that you could hike with your newborn...
if anyone has info on a good product that works well...please let me know!!
Thanks
Oh one thing I'd suggest is taking someone with you to carry your gear. The pack leaves practically no room camera and tripod. I use a belt attached Lowe bag to carry my stuff, but the tripod was awkward with the baby on the back.
As far as hauling gear, I go pretty light when carrying my son, and then beg/plead with my wife to carry it.
BTW, congratulations.
-Brett
I am not talking about going out for a all day hike with the child...I am just thinking about when I do go on hikes less than 5 miles or so....
thanks for the info I will be sure to check out REI soon!!!
D
I'd suggest not taking the baby out for photo op trips until they are older. Your focus will shit away from the newborn and at this early age, that can lead to not very good results. Hate to say it but camera will be come less of a priority pretty soon (in a very good way)...... I can't imagine taking my daugthter on an outing with camera durring "photographer" hours even now and she's six years old.
You can't carry them in those kinds of backpack till they are strong enough to hold up their heads. I think for the first four or five months you'll be going with a cloth front carrier.
Still though, when you get one, get a good one as you will be using it for three or four years. We had a Kelty from REI.
John, By the time my daughter is 6 my daughter will have her own DSLR and be wanting me to take her out shooting...(at least I hope she does)
Ditto what Mark said. The Kelty (with the rain hood) is the one we opted for after Milton graduated out of the Baby Bjorn. For the BP'ing part, the backpack that zips onto the carrier does not hold much stuff for baby, let along other things. Look for a camera bag that straps on the front and be light on photo stuff or your knees will hurt
BTW, congrats and I'll be in the same boat as you come Jan. 31 (Kaia's induction date). If it's like last time, we didn't get out for at least 6 months
Kevin