OutGrown Blog

Editor’s note: This article discusses maternal health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) and some readers may find it triggering. It was a mild January day in the Northeast and we were setting out in unfamiliar territory after learning our intended destination was closed for hunting season. “Yes, we will happily go somewhere else,” our hike leader responded to the county park ranger who pulled up in a truck next to her car in the parking lot. Thankfully, her quick thinking meant we didn’t have to abandon our intentions of hiking that morning. More than an hour after the original start time, our tenacious group eagerly trekked into a nearby forest gem with the little ones strapped to our backs. The adults leading the way caught up on the busyness of the holidays and chatted about current events while my friend and I anchored the pack in deep discussion. One mile later, we descended into a ravine that looked like a scene straight out of a Middle Earth movie with the sunlight filtering through the fog rising gently above the river ice. It was breathtaking! We all felt that hiking high from the fresh air and scenery when she smiled and said, “It’s great to see you have found something that you are passionate about.” I was still relatively new to Hike it Baby on that winter hike at Hacklebarney State Park last year. I had a handful of stroller hikes under my belt, but this was one of my first real trail hikes with my son in a carrier. Being physically able to hike like this was exhilarating! It was also probably the last thing I ever expected to be doing so soon after surviving what I dubbed "the medical gauntlet." Surprising me and my family alike, hiking with a pack of parents and young children in the forest became one of the ways I began to emerge from the grief following pregnancy and postpartum trauma. Dodging Death Not Once, But Twice In 2015, I not only became a first-time mother, but I also became one of the many faces of the Maternal Health Crisis in the United States. It would be an understatement to say I had a challenging pregnancy and postpartum, dodging death not once, but twice. When the dust began to settle after my near-misses, I was shocked to learn that the United States is the most dangerous place to give birth in the developed world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal mortality in the U.S. has been on the rise – taking it to 46th in the world – while the rate is declining in other wealthy nations. While the majority of maternal deaths occur in the developing world, many people are surprised to learn that 700 women die every year in the U.S., and another 60,000 mothers come incredibly close to death. That is one every ten minutes! I am confounded by the stinging and unexpected contradiction of women dying while trying to give life. What should be a happily exhausting time in a new parent’s life is shrouded in tragedy and grief for so many others. Also troubling is that a significant number of women don’t get the care they need because their complaints are dismissed as a normal part of pregnancy or postpartum recovery. This delay in diagnosis can be enough to make treatable conditions catastrophic. I don’t share these statistics to frighten anyone, but the reality is that the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is a key indicator for the quality of a nation’s health care system and the U.S. has a lot of room for improvement. It also means that many families are deeply affected by the long-lasting trauma from these types of maternal events and many suffer in silence. You may know one of these families or maybe you are even a survivor yourself. Healthy mothers and babies are a cornerstone of our society and certainly of the next generation. When one family hurts, we all hurt too. Reclaiming Motherhood I was completely blindsided by my near-misses and their effects still reverberate loudly two years later. My physical recovery was long and difficult, and I was not prepared for the emotional weariness that followed either. I missed a significant portion of my son’s early life while fighting for my own. The weight of nearly leaving my husband alone to raise our newborn left me mourning so many aspects of new motherhood that I would never get back. I struggled with sky-high anxiety for my own health, insomnia and flashbacks, in addition to the typical paranoia that plagues first-time moms. With my physical limitations, my expectations of motherhood were turned on their head. When I started to feel physically stronger a few months later, I knew I had to get out of the house more if I wanted to combat the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) I had acquired. I started walking with the stroller a few times a week and often thought to myself, “I wish I could find or form a group of moms to walk with.” It wasn't just seeking the benefit of increased physical activity – I knew I needed more social support too. Two things dramatically changed the course of my recovery during the summer of 2016. The first breakthrough was that my trial run of every mom group imaginable was rewarded by a chance meeting with a Hike it Baby mom. I went on my first hike a few weeks after meeting her and never looked back. Knowing families met regularly and that I could just show up was an invaluable resource for me. I could bring my son too, which helped ease my anxiety. Best of all, I was teaching him to love the outdoors and take care of himself by example. Around the same time, I found an online peer-led support group for Maternal Near-Miss Survivors which has been nothing short of a godsend! Regularly talking to women who intimately understand perinatal trauma and the challenges of living with it has been a critical element to processing my own experiences. Couple that with Hike it Baby’s organizational platform that encourages social support, exercise, fresh air and sunshine and I felt like I had finally found the two healthy outlets I needed to survive and thrive in this new season. Now, many of my friends are Survivors and Hike it Baby parents and they have enriched my life far more than I could ever tell them. There is an underlying current that we are all in this parenthood thing together. Even though our journeys are as unique as they come, the threads of sleepless nights, and sometimes even suffering, are the same. No Mother Left Behind With statistics like more than 150 near-misses per day and even more women suffering from perinatal mood disorders like postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety (PPA), chances are high that there are a lot of hurting moms in our branches already. As a hiking organization, Hike it Baby’s motto is "No Hiker Left Behind" and I believe that sentiment can reach even farther. Our community encompasses the single largest demographic affected by the maternal health crisis, and we already know how the outdoors provide a wealth of physical and mental health benefits. What if we all started being more open about our stories and offered to be a part of the lifeline that these struggling families need? I see an opportunity for a strong symbiotic relationship between Hike it Baby and maternal health to develop over time. We have the chance to come alongside other moms in our circles and help them emerge from one of the darkest times of their lives simply by imploring them to get outside with us. Hike it Baby offers the social support of a community of parents and the vast benefits of the outdoors proven to help combat numerous health conditions. I cannot emphasize enough how a personal invitation has the potential to change this season in a new mom’s life! At the same time, near-miss survivors and those suffering from mood disorders have the unique ability to put faces to the crisis. Survivor stories are a largely untapped resource we can learn from. They empower a huge population of women to better advocate for their own health while raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of perinatal complications that should trigger an immediate trip to the emergency room. Together, we can make sure that no mother is left behind. Joining a Movement Spreading awareness about Maternal Health issues and the need for donated blood are two of the passions that emerged since my trauma. Thanks to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University and The Tara Hansen Foundation, this coming January 23 is the first annual New Jersey Maternal Health Awareness Day and it coincides with National Blood Donor Month. As someone who received over fifteen units of blood after childbirth – more than my entire blood volume – I can’t think of a better way to celebrate both initiatives than by teaming up with other mothers to collect donated blood for the community. With the help of Woodside Chapel Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS ), I hope to raise awareness about the increasing rate of Maternal Mortality and Near-Miss in the United States. We hope to share information about the signs and symptoms of perinatal complications – conditions such as Postpartum Hemorrhage, Pre-eclampsia, HELLP Syndrome and Pulmonary Embolism to name a few – so women can recognize when they should seek immediate medical attention and advocate for themselves in those situations with more confidence. We also hope to encourage regular blood donations. Are you interested in joining the Maternal Health movement? It is as simple as rolling up your sleeve to donate blood. The demand for blood always outpaces the supply, and many people depend on the kindness of strangers for their second chance at life. Please consider joining us at the blood drive on January 23 if you live in the New Jersey area. Visit Heroes for Moms to learn about other survivor organized blood drives nationwide or visit the American Red Cross to find a collection location near you. Your blood donations go a long way in giving families like mine hope during a crisis. Let’s make January 23 a day that unites our voices regardless of where we live and change the course of Maternal Health in the U.S. Motherhood shapes the future and we each have a role to play in making it safer. To learn more about our blood drive and the Maternal Health Crisis, visit our Facebook page. Read more The less you carry: Dealing with postpartum anxiety Hiking as therapy Photos courtesy of Casey Cattell. Casey Cattell struggled with infertility for more than a decade before giving birth to her son in 2015. She is a two-time Maternal Near-Miss Survivor writing at The Heart of Home to give hope to women in the midst of hardships. She enjoys sharing her latest adventures and creative exploits. Casey and her husband live in the Garden State and in their downtime like to explore new places with their young son. If you liked this post or were encouraged by it, please consider passing it on. Find Casey on Instagram and Twitter.

Winter is in full swing across the majority of North America, which means the potential for snow … lots and lots of snow! Instead of having that chilly white stuff ruin your family hiking plans, it’s time to partake in one of the most family-friendly winter activities: snowshoeing! Not sure how to get started? We have broken it down for you in this step-by-step guide for family snowshoeing fun. We also included tips from our own wonderful Hike it Baby community to inspire you to get out there and try it. Choose your mode of child transportation How you choose to transport your child will determine your destination and the gear you need. 1. Carrier: Snowshoeing while babywearing isn’t much different than hiking while babywearing. And the type of carrier relies heavily on personal preference. I prefer to back-carry my toddler (he’s around 30 pounds) in our Onya Outback soft-structured carrier. But if we go longer distances, we use a framed carrier so I can carry more stuff like water and lunch. If you're new to snowshoeing, consider practicing without your child to get the motions down. This can be done in your yard, and you'll likely only need a few practices before you get the hang of it! 2. Pulling or pushing: Not in the mood to wear your child? Another option is to pull or push your child through the snow. Many parents choose to attach a sled to their waist and pull their child through the snow. And I have a feeling this is a top choice for many kiddos also! Another option is to purchase stroller skis, which are attachments that fit onto the wheels of your stroller and make pushing your child through the snow MUCH easier. “Bring a sled to tow behind you! Great for hauling toddlers who don't want to be worn or to walk.” –Erin from Green Bay, WI 3. On their own feet: This is where things can get a little more complicated since more gear is involved, but it is so worth it! While the majority of kids’ snowshoes start at age 3, any walking toddler can give snowshoeing a try! The bindings on kids’ snowshoes can fit most toddler shoe sizes and can grow with them for multiple years. Here are some tips for helping children learn to snowshoe: Snowshoeing is easy to learn with a little practice! Start on flat terrain (such as a snowy or even grassy yard) and have your child(ren) get used to walking in snowshoes. There is a bit of a learning curve when just starting out since snowshoes are designed to only move forward, not backward. Instead of backing up, you will need to teach them to do a U-turn in order to go in the opposite direction. This is about the only time I recommend being a “fair-weather fan”. When your kids are just starting to learn to snowshoe, pick a day (or days) when the weather is mild so that you won’t be competing with wind and super-low temperatures when trying to get the kiddos excited to try something new. Lower your expectations… and then lower them again. Your little one may be content to frolic in the snow with their snowshoes one day, and only last about five minutes the next. That’s okay! At least you got them outside for fresh air and exercise! That being said, we recommend having a backup plan (such as acarrier or sled) in case they tire easily or are just not having it that day (especially when they are just starting out). “Try to put the snowshoes on your toddler BEFORE you put the infant on your chest in the carrier or things get tricky. We snowshoe a lot (started at 3 with my son and 2 with my daughter) and have a blast.” –Sarah from Pioneer Valley, CN Choose your destination Once you've determined your mode(s) of child transportation, you can choose your destination. Keep in mind that you and your family will likely tire more quickly on snowshoes due to the extra weight and effort required with snow (especially freshly fallen snow). It’s important to start slow with flat easy trails, especially if you are carrying the extra weight of a child. We recommend finding a short loop or out-and-back trail the first few times. This is especially important if you have a pint-sized explorer who is new to snowshoeing and may not last long! “I wore my 2 yr old the first time I went snowshoeing and loved the workout! Definitely couldn't go as far snowshoeing as hiking. Legs burn in different places (burns so good)!” –Joey from Utah County, UT “Kids complain a lot more on snowshoes than while hiking. The snowshoes plus snow are very heavy. With a toddler, be prepared to only go a very short distance.” –Maria from Ft. Collins, CO Gather your gear The following is a list of gear needed for snowshoeing along with some helpful links to articles on how to layer for outdoor winter fun. 1. Snowshoes: Are you renting or buying? Renting is a great way to try out a new sport. But if you plan on making it a habit, buying may be a better option. When you have the snowshoes on hand, you and your family are more likely to use them! Thankfully, youth snowshoes are fairly inexpensive, and can be used for a number of seasons. **One thing to keep in mind when considering which size to rent/purchase is that you need to factor in the total weight of you and your child if you are carrying them. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, and plan to carry a 30 pound child, you want a size that is ideal for a total of 170 pounds. 2. Hiking poles: Hiking poles can make all the difference when snowshoeing, especially when you are carrying a child or pulling a sled! That being said, consider forgoing poles for kids. Attempting to coordinate their new footgear with distracting poles may spell disaster! Have them get used to walking with just the snowshoes before adding poles to the mix. “Use poles! If you're any type of clumsy, snowshoes will make that worse, especially in the learning phase. Poles help stabilize you. I hate poles for generally hiking, but add snowshoes and they are a must!” –Lyndsey from Monadnock, NH 3. Appropriate clothing: Dressing your family in the right type of layers is key when doing any outdoor activity in the winter. Check out the following links to help you dress the whole family and ensure your outdoor winter adventures end on a positive note! Essential Winter Gear for the Whole Family How to Dress Infants for Outdoor Winter Activities Winter Gear for Adults Winter Layering Options for Mothers Winter Carriers for Babywearing Also since babies can't tell you when they're cold, make sure the baby is dressed appropriately for the cold temps. Ella's Wool has a great visual for parents to help them layer infants correctly so they stay warm and dry so they too can enjoy the snowshoeing adventures. “One thing to keep in mind is that snowshoeing with a child strapped to you can produce some major heat! If you are wearing your child, consider wearing fewer layers (but bring them with you, just in case!). You don’t want to overheat!” –Natalie from Capital Region/Southern Adirondacks 4. Waterproof footwear: While snowshoe bindings can accommodate a wide variety of shoe types, we highly recommend using either sturdy waterproof hiking boots or insulated waterproof snow boots. These will prevent feet from becoming wet and cold while moving through all types of snow, helping you and your family last longer on the trail. I know when my toddler gets cold or wet feet, he almost instantly turns into a grouch monster, making the remainder of our outdoor adventure miserable for everyone! That’s why we invest in high quality boots for the whole family. Personally, we prefer the Keen brand for adult boots, and either Keen or Oaki for our toddler. 5. Gaiters or waterproof pants: These are optional, but may make for a more comfortable experience depending on the trail conditions. Most gaiters cover your boot laces and extend to calf or knee height. This provides a waterproof seal that prevents the pant legs from getting wet and stops snow from creeping into the top of the boots. Waterproof pants (such as those used for skiing and snowboarding) are also an effective way to prevent snow from entering your boots, keeping you warm and dry. 6. Pack the essentials: What goes into your pack will largely depend on the adventure you have planned. Personally, I recommend packing the 10 essentials, regardless where you hiking. They include navigational tools, sun protection for eyes and skin, insulating layers, a light source, a first aid kit, fire supplies, multi-tool or quality knife, more food and water than you think you need, and an emergency shelter. In addition, consider packing some hot chocolate for afterwards as a celebration (and to help warm everyone up!). Get out there and have a blast! As you venture out more on your snowshoes, it will become as second-nature as hiking in nice, warm weather. We hope this guide will encourage you to hit the trails this winter! Do you have other snowshoeing suggestions, or are you planning a family snowshoe excursion? Let us know in the comments below! Written by Rebecca Hosley and Natalie Kendrach. Photos by Natalie Kendrach. Read more: Winter Outdoor Activities: What is ‘Skinning’? Does your family also snowshoe? Share some of your tips in the comments below. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonproﬁt that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental beneﬁts of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their ﬁrst steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, beneﬁt from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. 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