Tips and tricks for a Patagonian vacation with a newborn

You might think that with a newborn baby, your days of adventuring are over. If you’re serious about exploring, the thought of waiting years and years to climb mountain peaks and sail open ocean again might be pretty crushing. However, this needn’t be the case – although taking a newborn baby into the wilderness may seem like a crazy idea, with a bit of encouragement and some handy hints, it’s easier than you would think. After all, the beauty of a newborn is that they’re not going to be constantly asking “are we there yet?” Below, we explain why a Patagonian vacation with a newborn is perfectly viable and share some tips on how to prepare.

3 reasons why taking a newborn adventuring is easier than it seems

1. Babies only get heavier

When your baby is a newborn, they’re the most portable they’ll ever be. Plus, if you’re carrying them, little legs won’t slow down your hikes.

2. They don’t need loads of gear

When it comes to hiking, the bigger the kid, the more gear you’ll need. With a newborn, you can forgo bulky items like boots, sleeping bags, or big bulky clothes.

3. It’ll give them the bug for adventure early

The sooner you take kids on adventure holidays, the sooner they get used to the great outdoors. That means once they’re a bit older, they won’t be afraid of forests, rapids, or long hikes. Furthermore, you’ll be more in the swing of things organizationally later down the line.

5 tips for a Patagonian vacation with a newborn

1. Invest in a comfortable baby carrier

If you’re heading out into the Patagonian wilderness, leave the stroller at home. Your best bet is to purchase a good baby carrier. The key thing is that it’s comfortable – remember, if you’re going to have 20 pounds strapped to your chest for several hours, you need it to be ergonomic.

2. Breastfeeding is very accepted in South America

Latin Americans are great with children and almost nobody is uncomfortable with breastfeeding. Therefore, if you’ve got a hungry, cranky baby on your hands, no one is going to make you feel bad for feeding them in public.

3. Traveling is for naps

Although you might think that bus or plane journeys would be the most challenging part of a vacation with a newborn, they’re actually prime time for naps. Sure, the occasional tantrum is testing, but the gentle motion of a bus will generally lull your baby off to sleep. However, if you are planning a long haul bus journey, ask about travel seats. Chileans and Argentinians often travel with babies on their laps, so don’t rely on the company just having a baby seat on board.

4. Baby sunscreen

The weather in Patagonia is famously unpredictable – and the same goes for the strength of the sun. The sun in the region can be very intense, even when the weather seems cool, so be sure to pack a baby-friendly factor 50 sunscreen.

5. Pack a good waterproof

Speaking of the weather, the other thing Patagonia is famous for is sudden rainstorms. Therefore, make sure you get a good-quality waterproof onesie or jacket and trousers for your little one. That way, if you’re caught in the rain, they’re kept warm and dry.

Never stop exploring

However, the most important tip of all is to not let your fear of tackling a vacation with a newborn hold you back. It might seem daunting initially, but there are loads of tricks and hacks to make traveling easier. Having a baby doesn’t mean the end of exploring – it’s just a different sort of adventure. After all, what could be better than sharing a breathtaking landscape like Patagonia with your new family?