Last week we had our fabulous summer walking workshop sharing our Blaze Trails top tips and tricks to help you stay safe walking with your little ones throughout summer.
Missed the workshop? Fear not, we have rounded up all the essential details here for you!
The joy of walking in Summer with little ones
Getting outside with your little ones can be a challenge especially when those temperatures start to rise and everyone is a bit hot and bothered, but getting outside may just be exactly what you both need.
A short summer walk under the shade of the trees, the warm breeze rustling through the leaves, the distant sound of the stream trickling and that ice cream van waiting just around the corner with a cold sweet treat. The perfect reset from the sweaty sticky house.
Summer isn’t necessarily a time for summiting mountains with babies and toddlers - it’s a time for slowing down, taking time to stop and listen, enjoy the sun on your face a while, take your shoes off and dip your feet in the stream, stop and count the minibeasts, picnic in the park, help your toddler climb that tree - the list is endless!
So how do we get out there and start enjoying summer…
Planning safe and enjoyable summer walks
First things first, pick a route you know or are confident with - woodlands and water provide shade and place to cool down so are always a good bet for a warm sunny day.
Avoid wandering too far off course or away from civilisation - you don’t want to get caught out in the heat, especially with a baby or toddler in tow.
Keep walks short and sweet - it’s easy to want to make the most of good weather (this is the UK so we never know when we might see the sun again!) but that doesn’t mean walking for miles. Your energy can be drained quickly in the heat so be sure to stay hydrated and eat little and often - a good tip is to always drink before you’re thirsty!
Think about timing - try to stick to cooler parts of the day. Earlier in the morning and evenings can be more comfortable for walking, particularly when baby-wearing. Plan how you are going to take your little one outdoors - will it be in a baby carrier, pushchair or on their own two feet. What will be the most comfortable for you both?
When walking in the heat it’s important to be flexible and have a plan B - if you don’t complete your planned route that’s fine, it’s just about getting outside safely and enjoyably.
Lastly, go with someone! Join one of our amazing walks, go with a friend, or go with family - share the load, make sure you check in with each other about what kind of walk you’re up for, and be honest if you need a break. Look after each other.
If you prefer solo walks or can’t go with someone then always be sure to tell someone exactly where you are going and how long you expect to be.
Pushchairs, babywearing & toddling
Let’s talk about how we can get out little ones outdoors with us;
Pushchairs
When using your pushchair in the heat the first safety tip is to avoid fully covering your pushchair with fabric such as a blanket, towel or even muslin - doing this reduces airflow and temperatures can increase very quickly within the pram to potentially unsafe and dangerous levels.
Instead explore shade options that allow airflow and a large vented space beneath them such as parasols, or shades that can clip between the buggy hood and the handles creating an open canopy.
Babywearing
These tips come from our lovely organiser Daisy who is a qualified babywearing consultant at Stan & Flo.
You count as a layer as does your sling (stretchy counts as 3 layers!) so bare this in mind when you are both getting dressed light fabric and less layers.
You can put your baby in a sling in just a nappy!
You can use an umbrella or drape a muslin over a sling to provide shade and use suncream from 6 months.
Wear hats, you can use a dummy clip to attach a hat to the sling so you don’t lose it! Top tip is put a peaked hat on backwards to protect back of baby and so you don’t get hit with it!
Keep yourself and baby hydrated, baby will likely need to feed more in the heat.
Allow extra time to stop and let baby out of the carrier share the carrying if you can.
A hip or back carry can be more comfortable in the heat
Regularly check baby’s temperature and adapt if needed.
Use a mesh, muslin/linen or single layer sling such as Minimonkey mini sling, Integra Solar buckle carrier, mesh Izmi or Tula, if you can.
Daisy’s Babywearing hack – You can use your snoozeshade as a sling cover!! Check out her Instagram @stan.and.flo to see how!
If you are worried or need some help visit your local sling library or consultant.
Toddlers
If toddlers are fussy about having suncream on, try using a make-up brush or self applicator for toddlers to help put on their sun cream, find a hat they love so they will wear it and actually keep it on! Loose long and lightweight clothing helps keep them shaded and cool.
Walking sandals with good grip help keep little feet cool and they’re great for paddling in too!
Snacks such as watermelon and cucumber are great for keeping toddlers hydrated and a flask is perfect for keeping ice lollies in for that little sweet treat whilst out and about!
What to wear for you and little ones on hot days
Dressing little ones is a minefield at the best of times but the heat can be a real curveball. Here are our top tips on how to dress for a sunny walk.
Dress for the route you’re walking - Will the woodland path be overgrown? If so wear trousers or longer layers to protect from scratches and ticks. Are you going up high? If so be more mindful of covering your skin - the more elevation you gain, the stronger the sun rays. Wind can also make a big difference to temperature leaving the potential for sun burn without you realising.
Lightweight and loose layers are always a winner - this type of clothing is great for protecting you from the sun, keeping you cooler and providing a barrier from bites and stings. Why not sport one of our very own Blaze Trails t-shirts to keep you comfortable on a hot sunny day?
A wide brimmed sun hat for both you and little one provides extra protection for the head and neck, and ones with chin straps are useful for babies who like to throw them off!
You can also get UPF rated clothing which is useful for babies under 6 months as it offers that protection when they can’t use suncream. However, do you ensure it is breathable fabric especially if babywearing, as this can cause overheating if not.
What to pack for a summer walk
So you’ve got a route, you’ve planned your outfits, now what to pack?
Try and keep it simple - you don’t want to add extra weight on a hot day so take the essentials and leave the rest at home or in the car.
Don’t bring the whole heavy changing bag! 1 or 2 nappies and half a pack of wipes is usually enough for a short walk - don’t worry about carrying a separate changing mat if you’re bringing a blanket or large muslin.
Bring a lightweight foldable picnic blanket as you may need to stop and rest more than usual. At Blaze Trails we love a PACMAT picnic blanket - they are super light, machine washable, come in a variety of sizes and designs, and have loads of different uses. They fold up perfectly to fit in your bag, AND you can use code 15BLAZE25 at checkout for 15% off their range!
Make sure you have enough water and milk for you and little one, and if you pass a cafe or pub, don’t be afraid to pop in and ask to refill your bottle.
High energy and hydrating snacks are a must, such as fruit, cereal bars and not forgetting the flask of ice lollies!
High factor suncream for you and little ones (over 6 months) to top up with throughout the walk, and of course you should never leave home without our Blaze Trails Ouch Pouch first aid kit and Tick remover.
So there you have it - our Blaze Trails guide to summer walking with your little ones. Stay shaded, stay hydrated and enjoy!
Happy Walking!