Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping and Boating with Babies and Young Children

3/8/10 - There’s a lot of information out there about introducing school-age kids to the outdoors, but what about babies and toddlers? Author Jennifer Aist bridges that gap and shares her tried and tested advice for active new parents. Babes in the Woods introduces outdoorsy moms and dads to the joy and vigor of taking babies and toddlers into the woods at a very early age. Well-organized chapters offer functional solutions for appropriate gear, clothing, and food, nature games to play, and tips on potty breaks and sleeping outdoors—but most importantly, Aist explores all the reasons why introducing even the youngest of children to wilderness experiences is healthy, rewarding, and fun.

Whether planning a short day hike, a car camping trip, a base camp adventure, or a backpacking excursion, Aist covers every season and climate, while confirming that babies are well-suited for the mountains, the water, and the adventures that lie beyond.

Get inspired to have safe and happy wilderness trips, and pass on the beauty and healthy lifestyle of the great outdoors to the next generation.

Jennifer Aist is founder and director of Providence Alaska Medical Center’s parenting and childbirth education program, Parenting with Providence. She teaches classes on everything from breastfeeding to backpacking and conducts her signature “Babes in the Woods,” “Babes in the Snow,” and “Babes on the Water” classes every year.  She has also consulted with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game on a preschool outdoor education curriculum.  A graduate of the University of California, Davis, she lives in Anchorage, Alaska, with her husband and four children.