baby gear - Pitstops for Kids

Travel Gear We Use: Abiie Huggs baby carrier review

November 29, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Reviewed by our baby and toddler gear tester, Karyssa Booth.

Time for a baby carrier review! I received the Abiie Huggs carrier in the mail a couple months before my daughter could fit into it. I waited until she was about five months old before I used it. On initial inspection, I was a little overwhelmed by how many buttons, clips, and snaps it had. I am still figuring out new functions of the carrier each time I use it. For example, the flap that serves as support for the back of the neck and then folds down so the baby can look around. Who knew? The only thing I haven’t mastered is nursing while she is in it, but I’m pretty sure it is not possible.

The Huggs carrier excels in comfort for the parent and baby:

There is a seat that supports the baby’s rear and allows movement for its legs and hips. Other baby carriers seem to have the legs spread too far apart or facing the baby out which seems awkward to me. My baby has never been in the Huggs and appeared or acted uncomfortably. She can usually sit in it for a little over an hour with no complaints. Even after wearing her in the carrier for a long time it doesn’t hurt my back.

Unfortunately, the seat that makes the carrier supportive for the baby also is its downfall. I recently took a trip and opted on a stroller that I could check in at the gate instead of the carrier because I didn’t have enough room to store it under my seat with my carry on and diaper bag. It’s too bulky for the plane with limited space. If I was also traveling with my husband, I’m sure I could have made it work. Traveling with a baby solo, it wasn’t happening.

My favorite aspects of the Huggs is the quality and support. It is obvious that a lot of thought and planning went into the creation of the Huggs. The base zips off and when I need to get the baby out quick or she is asleep, it’s really handy. The Velcro belt works really well and once I Velcro and snap the belt around my waist I rarely have to readjust. The sun/rain cover with multiple snaps to fit many different size heads or fit as baby grows. The pockets….who doesn’t love a plethora of pockets? I can easily fit my keys and phone it the belt pockets, baby toys in the large front pocket. I also like to clip a pacifier or toy to keep her happy while babywearing.

Putting on the Huggs:

I recently wore the carrier to a family function and all of my cousins with small children commented on how nice it was. The joke was that whenever anyone tried to use a front pack they can’t seem to reach behind and do the back buckle without some difficulty. Where the buckles are positioned on the Huggs, I am able to reach around and buckle the back myself fairly easily. I can also secure the waist belt and put my head through, sit baby on the seat and buckle the straps on the sides under my arms.

Overall, I would rate the baby carrier as excellent and recommend it to friends and family that were looking for a comfortable well-designed front pack. If someone is looking for a pack that had a lot of features this is the pack for them. My only caveat: if one criteria is to be able to pack the carrier down small for travel, I would look for another option.

Pick up a Huggs on their website for $129! Readers have also found on Amazon. Sell your own products using a Amazon marketing agency.

Karyssa was sent a complimentary Huggs for the purpose of review. All opinion remains her own.

Joovy Qool review: travel-ready stroller

June 22, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

UPDATED FOR 2018

The Joovy Qool lives up to its name. With a sleek design and luxury features that mirror those of the most expensive brands on the market, the Qool makes it look easy. Which is definitely the point, for those of us wanting our strollers to go the distance while traveling.

Our baby gear tester Karyssa tested to Qool in 2014 with her son, and is back with an updated review of the newest Qool model with her newborn daughter (with Deklan now along for the ride as a preschooler). Designed for babies three months and up (or from birth with a car seat attachment), the Qool is still not the lightest stroller on the market, but like most Joovy strollers, it manages to fit into the lightweight category while not skimping on features.

Joovy Qool review:

I was excited to try out the new Joovy Qool stroller with bassinet with my daughter. The package arrived promptly, and my husband started putting it together as soon as it arrived. The instruction booklet is pretty thick, but he was able to do most of the assembly without the instructions fairly easily. He only referred to the instructions once. Total assembly including the bassinet took about 15 minutes.

Initially looking at the stroller I thought that it would be heavy because of the larger wheels and wider base. That was not the case. The stroller is so easy to lift into my car, much lighter than it looks. Breaking it down or opening it up is a breeze and takes about 5 seconds.

The ability to attach the bassinet to the stroller and allow my baby to sleep comfortably is so convenient. Attaching the bassinet to the stroller is really simple just line up the bassinet and click. We did not get the car seat adapter for the stroller because it wasn’t available for the brand of car seat we have. Honestly, I am happy that we didn’t because I am more likely to put her in the bassinet and she will be more comfortable. The Mayo clinic does not recommend for babies to be in car seats for long periods of time outside of the car.

Joovy made the fabric inside the bassinet super plush and soft it almost has a velvety feel. It is white though, so I lay a blanket down between the baby and the mattress in case of spit up or accidents. The sun visor has 50+ sun protection and comes with a great zip cover the also works to protect your little one from extreme weather. My only wish is that the visor came down a little lower or had an option to completely shield my baby from the sun. If I am walking in the middle of the day I have to put a thin blanket over the top to completely shield her from the sun.

The stroller rolls great on and off the pavement and I think the large wheels help make it a smoother ride.

My four-year-old loves to sit on the Qool bench seat and doesn’t even mind being buckled. It’s great for the longer walks when he decides he is too tired to walk or he just wants to sit and take a break. Unfortunately, we can’t use the seat with the bassinet but otherwise it is an amazing addition to the Qool. There are several position options for the Qool bench seat and the stroller in the instruction booklet.

Storage is plentiful in the bottom of the stroller. It will fit my diaper bag, blankets, another backpack and more. I am certain that it would fit all of my shopping bags and diaper bag during a shopping trip at the mall. My four-year-old even thought that he should crawl under there and make sure it fit him, and it did.

Joovy Qool at a glance:

Want the highlights? Here’s Karyssa’s quick takes:

Easy access brake
Maneuvers easily through tight places
Nice leather grip
Medium sized basket storage (can hold a purse but not a large diaper bag)
Expandable cover shields baby from rain and sun
Wheels glide over bumpy terrain
Doubles as a jogging stroller
Compacts and folds to fit tightly in small spaces
Lightweight
Leather bumper for baby to hold or attach toys
Adjustable handlebar makes for easy steering at any height
Cushy gel-like seat (which is removable)
Front wheel locks from swivel at a push of a button
Difficult to fold for some (I had trouble; husband and son could fold it in 6 seconds)
Cover window not large enough for baby to view out of easily

Pit Stops for Kids Joovy Qool Review for one toddler:

If you’re using the Qool with one child, is easy to maneuver through tight areas that can often frustrate parents pushing a stroller. I tested the Qool at a large sporting event with mobs of people. The stroller turned effortlessly through the crowds. A major advantage is that this stroller fits in tight areas at department stores and turns on a dime around racks that can otherwise hang up stroller wheels.

The brake is easy to find and engage in the middle of the rear wheels, and virtually anyone can push the stroller comfortably with the adjustable handlebar. The handlebar has a nice comfortable leather grip and a cup holder can be easily attached as an additional accessory.

The expandable sun and rain cover kept my little one sheltered but still able to see out the front. My only caveat: the peek-a-boo window is on the small side, and doesn’t provide much of a view.

The seat is really cooshy with a gel like liner unlike any other stroller seat I have seen. The shoulder harness is easily adjustable for different sizes. I jogged with the stroller over bumpy sidewalks and bricks without ever feeling a jolt. The wheels have major shock absorption and I was very impressed that it handled so well. The front wheels can also be locked by just pushing a button above the wheel.

Initially I thought the Qool was tricky to fold up, but my husband and twelve year old could handle it no problem. Once I tried again it was super easy. It can be folded down tightly with the seat in about five seconds. After it is folded down it can’t be pushed or pulled; it has to be lifted. It is extremely lightweight so that makes up for it.

Tip: Not sure which Joovy stroller is right for you? Compare the Qool to the Joovy Caboose VaryLight, also reviewed by a Pit Stops for Kids mom!

Buy the Qool for $549 on Joovy.com, or Pick it up on Amazon for about 20% less!

Travel Gear We Use: Travel-friendly Rags to Raches children’s clothing review

February 16, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Rags to Raches are all about easy on, easy off children’s wear. Started by a mom out of necessity, this brand is now known for comfortable, functional and cute clothes for toddlers. Since Rags are one piece, we thought they’d be good for travel days, so we had our littlest gear tester put them through the test.

Rags to Raches children’s clothing review:

I had heard about Rags clothing from a couple of friends but had never tried any Rags until the opportunity to review.The shipping was quick and when I opened the package I was impressed with the quality of the fabric. The colors were bright; the Rag we tested was tye-dyed with a truck logo.

When I went to put it on my three-year-old, I realized there are no snaps, buttons, or zippers and was a little perplexed on how to get the neck to stretch over his entire body. He cried out, “Ow this hurts,” then “But these are pajamas.” Once on, however, the neck didn’t appear stretched out because it’s elastic and he said that they were really comfortable.

He wore his Rag outfit all day and I was really impressed with how active he could be in it. (My son is slender his pants usually fall down unless they have an adjustable waistband.) During bathroom time, he needs help pulling the neck over his shoulders. (I think this is a learning process.) He did get better at pulling his arms out after wearing it another day and no longer complains about getting it on or off.

Washing the Rag was easy: it’s just cold water and dry low or hang to dry. I decided to hang dry. There were no wrinkles and it didn’t shrink or lose shape. It folds down really compact and is super convenient for traveling since it’s only one thing to pack instead of two.

I actually liked it so much I went online and bought another Rag! Shop the Rag collection here.

Review by Karyssa Booth, mom of our toddler gear tester.

Travel Gear We Use: Best diaper bag for active families

March 6, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Today on Travel Gear We Use, we’re excited to showcase the best diaper bag we’ve seen in a long time. The Timbuk2 Stork looks and acts like a rugged messenger bag, but has everything families with babies need while on the go. When my kids were babies, this bag was not yet available, but ironically, I used a standard Timbuk2 bag as a diaper bag, because it was tough enough for our travels and ‘manly’ enough for my husband to use too. Now one of my Pit Stops for Kids baby gear reviewers has the real thing! Here’s what Karyssa, mom of baby Deklan, has to say.

A diaper bag is an everyday essential for babies that can be utilized for the early years. Finding the perfect bag that is both functional and stylish can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. It is important to have a bag that will hold up to daily wear, and won’t fall apart prematurely.

I was excited that the Timbuk2 Stork could be completely customized (it comes in standard colors or a build-it-yourself customizable option). I could create a bag by choosing fabric colors, trim and even liner colors. I chose to design a bag that my husband could also carry around without feeling like I was stripping him of his manhood. Some diaper bags are too much like a purse. If I wanted to carry around a purse for a diaper bag I would throw some diapers in a purse!

Other diaper bags scream cheap because they are made of plastic vinyl and lack quality construction. TimBuk2 doesn’t skimp on color and fabric options. There were probably over a hundred different options for mixing up the colors and design of the bag. Options were endless including herringbone, pink, blue, yellow, and trendy prints. It took me a couple of hours to make a final decision. Including my husband and best friend in the decision without dragging anyone to the store was a definate plus!

I really wanted a bag that I could use to organize all of the little things and still have room for the big necessities. The Timbuk2 stork messenger has an amazing ability to stay compact while making you feel like you can fit everything you need to keep your little one happy.

There are a lot of pockets…more than I could actually fill. I loved the individual interior pockets, which are the perfect size for things like tylenol, lotions, nail clippers and toys. There are additional zipper and velcro pockets on the outside under the main flap for items like keys, sunglasses etc. The big interior pocket is for a nice sized changing pad. I had enough room to store everything in the main portion of the bag with plenty of room to spare. With other diaper bags I have had the issue of having to pull everything out just to get to a pair of pants or the wipes (always at the bottom).

When the Stork Messanger is opened, it is wide enough to see and grab any items you need with ease. I didn’t need to pull everything out to find what I was looking for. I chose a dark color for the interior; it is a very soft waterproof fabric that can easily be wiped clean. The exterior fabric is very durable and very high quility that will last for years to come. The colors that I selected ended up being vibrant and crisp. I was so happy with the custome trim and colors right down to the embroidered logo.

There are two types of closure on the bag: two strips of velcro and two clips to snap it closed. The velcro is pretty sturdy, but I was able to open up the bag fairly easily while holding my son and having my hands full.

Another plus is the bag is very lightweight even when it is packed full. I was suprised how comfortable the strap was while I was wearing the bag. Using the crossbody option I didn’t have to deal with the bag falling off my shoulder as some heavy bags have the tendency to do. Using the adjustable clip the strap will fit parents of all shapes and sizes.

Pick up the Timbuk2 Stork at the official site to chose the customized option for $184, or save some cash buying on Amazon for $149.

Find more gear in the Travel Gear We Use series (click below):

Disclosure: Our Pit Stops for Kids reviewer received a Timbuk2 Stork for the purpose of review. There was no obligation of a positive review.

Joovy Caboose VaryLight Graphite Stand-on Tandem Stroller review

August 8, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

It has a long name, but that’s because it serves a lot of travel needs: the Joovy Caboose VaryLight Graphite Stand-on Tandem Stroller can expand from a single to a double like a Transformer, utilizes the lightest materials possible, has room for two kids to sit, stand, recline, or remain in a car seat, and still doesn’t skimp on extras like canopies, cup holders, and oversized baskets.

We put the Joovy Caboose VaryLight stroller to work with one of our reviewers, a single mom with four kids, two of whom are stroller-aged. Wanting to get out for some summer fun, she was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of transporting her two-year-old and six-month-year-old. With the VaryLight, she can set her infant, Andy, up in the front seat (with or without a car seat), and recline his seat as needed. Her two-year-old daughter, Ivy, stands at the back, on the attached pad. (She could sit, too, but Ivy doesn’t roll that way.)

When little Ivy is at childcare of grandma’s house, the VaryLight can basically squish up into a single, the only stroller we’ve ever seen do this particular trick! Note: this is a great feature not only for parents who may have one of two kids absent during parts of the day, but also for new parents who currently have one baby, but may have another within a few years.

The VaryLight is light enough to lift and put into a car trunk without strain, and the seats are easy to adjust (no battling the stroller!). It’s easy to fold and unfold. It was difficult for our reviewer to push on gravel or sand but great on streets and sidewalks.

Set up: Out of the box, the VaryLight was easy for our reviewer to put together. I wanted to ‘test’ Joovy’s excellent customer service, but she couldn’t find a reason to! If you do have questions, they’re there for you!

Here are the specs you’ll need:

Swing-open tray
One-hand fold
Front-wheel suspension, front swivel-wheel locks, and rear brakes
Extra-large storage basket
Assembled Dimensions (short) – 42″H x 43.5″ D x 24.25″ W
Assembled Dimensions (extended) – 42″H x 49.75″ D x 24.25″ W
Stroller Weight – 33.95 lbs.
Front Seat Min Age – Birth+ when using car seat adapter, or 6 months+
Front Seat Max Weight and Height – 55 lbs. and 40″ height
Rear Seat Min Age – 2.5 yrs
Rear Seat Max Weight – 55 lbs. and 44″ height

Cost: the VaryLight retails for $499. It’s a high-end stroller (among many on the market) but will carry you through from birth to preschool for multiple children. You can also find the VaryLight on Amazon for as low as $449.

How does it handle travel?

Because the VaryLight is made of graphite (the same material used in all our advanced technology, low weight backpacking gear these days), it’s lightweight for a double stroller. Can you get a lighter one? Sure, but not with all these bells and whistles. When we travel with a stroller, we’ve found there’s a sweet spot: we want one with a simple enough design that the stroller doesn’t weigh as much as a boulder, but advanced enough that it has the features we want. In other words, those cheap umbrella strollers don’t cut it because they’re too bare bones (how with the baby nap? where will I store our stuff?) and the Rolls Royce of strollers is simply too big and bulky.

The VaryLight is easy to fold up (a huge plus) and can fit into the back of a car without much hassle. Is it the stroller to use when hopping on and off busses or subways? I’d say no, but it is the stroller to use when car camping, road tripping, city touring, or theme park visiting. Can it fly? Yes, just gate check it.

While you’re checking out the VaryLight, look over all the other travel-friendly products Joovy offers. It’s mind-boggling!

As I disclose whenever applicable, our reviewer was given the VaryLight without charge for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Car seat safety reminder and convertible car seat review

June 23, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s road trip season! Early summer is a great time to make sure your kids’ car seats are installed correctly, and don’t need to be replaced. Pit Stops for Kids got the latest scoop in car seat safety and car seat requirements from Safety1st Consumer Safety Expert Julie Vallese. Even those of us who are not new parents could use some reminders as we head into road trip season!

The three most important things when choosing a car seat are:

One that fits your child
One that fits your car
One that you will use correctly every time

You can accomplish this by:

Having the car you will be using the seat in with you and try it out at the store
Having your child with you at the time of purchase
Following information in both the car seat manual and vehicle manual for installation
Attending a car seat check for assistance in proper installation and use from a certified car seat technician

Read car seat requirements from Safety1st!

New rules for car seats using LATCH require understanding of your car seat’s weight and child’s weight:

Car seats manufactured after February 27, 2014 are required to carry a new label with guidance on maximum weight limits for LATCH
The combined weight should not exceed 65lbs
Look in the manual and label on the car seat to identify the weight of the seat
Look for a weight on the maximum weight for the child
Know your child’s weight
If the combined weight of the seat and your child exceeds 65lbs-install the car seat using the vehicle’s belt

Click to read more safety tips for car seats!

Review of the Safety1st Advance SE 65 Air convertible car seat

Car seats just keep getting more advanced! The Advance 65 Air+ Convertible Car Seat features technology designed to keep children from 5-65 pounds safer in the car. How so? The cushion system includes patented foam in hexagonal shapes for protection around the torso, allowing for better side impact protection. And the Advance 65 Air + uses a steel-reinforced frame for extra stability. You get a four position recline, which helps the seat fit optimally in your car, and color-coded belt paths take human error out of installation.

But let’s get to where to rubber meets the road: we had the Advance 65 Air + tested by a real Pit Stops for Kids mom and toddler. In addition to the safety features, our reviewer noticed the following perks while using the seat day-in and day-out:

Fully formed headrest, making the seat much more comfortable when the toddler falls asleep.
Easy buckling system, and easy to wash: our reviewer completely removed the cover and washed it (and put it back on) with no problems.
Carrying handle: need we say more? This car seat is heavy, and the handle makes it much easier to lug around.

Here’s the nitty-gritty:

Rear-facing 5-40 pounds
Forward-facing 22-65 pounds
Featuring Air Protect +
10-position headrest grows with your child
No re-thread harness
4-position recline for optimal fit to your car
LATCH equipped
Integrated cup holder

As we disclose whenever applicable, our reviewer received a Safety1st carseat for the purpose of review. Without review product tests, we’d be unable to provide real mom reviews on Pit Stops for Kids.

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Summer travel gear pick: Trunki PaddlePak review

June 20, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Now that’s summer’s underway, you’re getting a good feel for what travel gear is working for you…and what’s not. If you’ve been carting your pool and beach gear around in a standard backpack that A) your kids leave on the pool deck and B) allows wet swimsuits to leak through, leaving wet spots in your car, we have a solution.

We recently reviewed the PaddlePak backpack, the latest offering from Trunki, a travel company known for their innovative (and fun!) gear for kids. Trunki believes a good travel product appeals to both little ones and their parents. The PaddlePak is water resistant inside and out, so go ahead and spill a juice box or two, plus stash wet swimsuits and towels inside. Have a water bottle that religiously leaks when you pack it for day camp? Go ahead and put that in there, as well.

We tried out the PaddlePak Clown Fish pack, named Chuckles. Chuckles is a regular-sized PaddlePak (large is also available), and is big enough to fit a swimsuit (or change of clothes), a pair of shoes, and/or a snack and drink. It’s recommended for ages 2 and up, which we appreciate: my three-year-old loved that it fit her well. No more backpack shoulder straps slipping off! The top closes with a roll-top just like a grown-up dry bag, which is a fun (and practical) touch. See what I mean about Trunki products appealing to both parents and kids?

‘Chuckles’ is truly unisex: it appealed equally to my daughter and my five-year-old son. For older kids, I’d recommend one of the large packs, such as the gray shark or black killer whale. The straps are adjustable, and best of all, the regular size is only $25.

We’ve used the pack for short hikes in the woods, because it’s the bag my daughter is enthusiastic to wear, and for trips to the beach and pool. If your child is in swimming lessons or attends a day camp this summer, a PaddlePak would be ideal!

Disclosure: we were given one PaddlePak to try for the purpose of review. Without product review samples, Pit Stops for Kids would be unable to bring information on current travel products to our readers.

BubbleBum travel booster seat product review

August 8, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s not too often that I am presented with something completely new in the travel with kids product line. When I received the new BubbleBum booster seat
for review, however, I was surprised: how could a small, lightweight, bright purple cinch bag contain a child’s car booster seat?

And yet it does. The BubbleBum is the first (to me, anyway) completely portable, travel booster seat for traveling families. The BubbleBum is lightweight, surface washable, and bright purple (a color tested and approved by kids of both gender). And yes, BubbleBum meets all US Federal Safety Standard regulations by the NTHSA. Watch a demo video of how Bubble Bum works.

Our review of the Bubble Bum couldn’t have come at a better time. While my kids have outgrown the need for a booster, my nephew (age 4) is in the prime of his car seat years. His mom (my sister, East Coast Pit Stops for Kids editor Kate Lepore), and I tried it out in a very real-life situation many families face: while on vacation.

Kate was flying solo with Homer (4) and Greta (1.5) from Massachusetts to vacation with us in Southern California. Her hands already overflowing with Greta’s 5-point harness car seat, she hated the idea of also lugging along (or paying to check) Homer’s booster seat. Nor did we want to buy a new one at our destination. The BubbleBum was the perfect solution. It packs down to a small sack when stowed, fitting in luggage or a carry-on, and takes less than 30 seconds to inflate (yes, you inflate it) and position. While the BubbleBum doesn’t have a full back, it does include a very helpful attachment to position the car’s shoulder belt to the correct level for your child. It deflates and stores away as fast as it’s set up. When it’s inflated, it’s 13x13x4.5, which means it even fits when your family is using two other car seats in a three-seat back row of a car or van.

We used the BubbleBum our entire week vacation, and Homer found it perfectly comfortable. (Bear in mind, however: if your child is used to having a full backrest to their booster, they may slouch a bit without it…it’s certainly hard to nap in the Bubble Bum.) It was easy to move the BubbleBum from one car to another, or from one seat to another. It will fit in any car with a shoulder belt, and is designed for kids over age 4 and 40 to 100 pounds. Note: The BubbleBum is not approved for use on airplanes (but there’s little use for a booster on-board, anyway).

We’ll definitely be bringing the BubbleBum for future vacations, but Kate took it home with her to Massachusetts, because it will also be helpful for preschool car pools and playdates closer to home. She’s also use it while in taxis in the city.

BubbleBum retails for $39.99, and is available on Amazon!

Camping with babies and toddlers: gear up!

January 12, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

The first time my family and I took our eldest son out camping, it was a three-day backpacking trek into Oregon’s Columbia Gorge near Multnomah Falls, and he was 13-months old. Were we crazy? Well, yes, but we had a great time introducing baby Nate to the outdoors we loved, and I believe the experience (and others that followed) helped him acclimate at a young age to the idea of roughing it.

Is your young one ready to camp or backpack once the snows melt and the sun shines? To make the trip easier on the adults in the group), I offer the following well-earned tips:

1. Bring a backpack baby or toddler carrier. We loved our sturdy REI backpack carrier, but that was, ahem, over a decade ago. If you’re looking for more updated equipment, I recommend Kelty’s line of carriers, and look for my review of their newest at Practical Travel Gear soon. (By the way, at the Campfire live chat, we’ll be giving one away.) Not only is a backpack carrier useful for its intended purpose of carrying the baby while hiking, it serves as an excellent mountain high chair. With a squirmy toddler and a rustic camp, the only other place you might find to serve him or her dinner is on the ground. Bear in mind: if one adult is ‘packing’ the baby, the other(s) are overly burdened with necessary supplies. Either pack light (good luck with a kid in tow) or invite friends (good luck with that, too, come to think of it).

2. If you’re car camping instead of backpacking, utilize a portable bed such as Regalo My Cot Portable Bed It’s more to pack than a traditional backpacking pad, but little children and babies slip and slide all night long on the regular ones. Dress babies warmly at night, and play by the same rules at home (no extra bedding around faces, etc). Obviously, you’ll want to camp in a warm climate while kids are very small.

3. If your child is walking, put bells on his or her shoes. Yes, they get annoying, but this wasn’t going to be the trip in which you waited patiently for hours for a glimpse of wildlife, anyway. Bells keep kids within close proximity and provide peace of mind. Bright colored clothing is a must, too!

4. Stick as much as possible to your child’s normal foods. Yes, changes will have to be made to accommodate for packs and weight, but in general, pack your child’s familiar foods. Great backpacking fare includes fruit leather, trail mix (for older kids), organic pouched baby food (like these from Ella’s Kitchen), and instant soup.

5. Don’t slack on sun protection, bring basic medications, and pack a big first aid kit. Give up on keeping the kid clean, however. Just really…give up. Now. Preferrably before you even leave. In all seriousness, a little dirt won’t hurt, and you can’t avoid it. Just bring wet wipes and antiseptic wipes in case of cuts (and to wipe down hands before meals), and plan on a soapy, long bath upon return to civilization.

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Lastly, don’t be afraid! Just get out there and go! Your camping or backpacking trip will be more work than most, but the rewards will take your breath away (even more than a steep climb with 40 pounds of toddler on your back)!