A Guide to Navigating Adventures with Two
I always knew I wanted two. Ideally, one right after the other.
As luck would have it, we found out we were expecting Eden a couple of days after Indy’s first birthday. We were over the moon! Then, she arrived and life got that much sweeter.
Of course, having two under two has been a lot! I'm busy, tired, overstimulated and under-showered. I’m in a sweat by the time I have them both fed, changed, dressed and headed out the door. I’m perpetually solicited by my nursing, wakeful baby or my energetic, determined toddler - Often, by both at the same time. I’m unsure of when I’ll get a moment to catch my breath, and how long that moment will last.
… But as exhausting as it may be to parent two littles, I find it easier to do so outdoors. When we’re out, I feel more energetic, grounded, patient, creative and playful. Simply put, I feel like the best version of myself!
Therefore, I try my damnedest to pursue daily adventures outside of our home. Sometimes, they’re big. Mostly, they’re small. No matter what: They’re beneficial to us all.
If you’re looking to get out ‘n about with two, this is what I recommend:
Do it ASAP.
My husband went back to work 10 days after Eden was born. I was terrified to be left alone to the full-time caregiving of not one, but two individuals (including one I’d just met!). Looking back though, I think this was a huge blessing! It encouraged me to quickly learn the ropes about venturing out of the house with both babies in tow.
So get out there! Don’t let too much time go by, as it may trick you into building the experience up in your mind… Making it seem slightly impossible, even. If you have a set of helping hands, take advantage of them. And if you don’t, trust that you will learn, make mistakes, adapt and build confidence with every attempt you make.
Work up to bigger objectives.
A no-brainer, really! Begin with outings that are close to home and familiar, then slowly start pushing and expanding your comfort zone.
We first hit up the park. Then, the local cross country ski trails. And eventually, the backcountry. With each outing I was able to assess what went well and what didn’t, and better prepare for longer, further and/or more complex excursions in the future.
Ensure activities are toddler-approved.
Honestly, this is key! Plan activities that your toddler may enjoy to increase the likelihood of their cooperation. Sometimes, it may backfire completely (ha!)… But for the most part, it will make for a smoother outing.
Plot adventures that include sightseeing attractions and/or experiences that your toddler will be excited about. For instance, gondola rides and waterfalls on a hike, hot chocolate and snowball fights on a cross-country ski, or swimming breaks and a personalized mini-paddle on a canoe ride.
We all know toddlers have the biggest of feelings. Putting a little effort into planning experiences that will entertain and fascinate them will make for a better outcome for you.
Pack the night before.
Trust me: Just do so! I always think I have more than enough time in the morning, but somehow one or the other happens to poop their diapers as soon as they’re all layered up and we go back to square one.
So pack up your vehicle with the big ticket items (i.e. bike, chariot, hard-structured carrier, etc.), load the diaper kit, snacks and water bottles into your pack, and lay out the clothing for everyone (including yourself!) the night before. I tend to stuff an extra reusable bag with the layers that I will put on the kids once we arrive at our destination, including down suits, hats, mitts and booties/boots.
Start last-minute prep ~30 minutes before departure.
Piggy-backing of the last point: Start getting them ready about 30 minutes before you’re meant to depart.
I very casually put on fresh diapers and dress them in their base layers, fleece and socks while they’re distracted playing - Usually, getting around to whomever is in a better mood first. Then, I offer the toddler a snack and the baby a feed, to ensure their bellies are satisfied before our excursion. Finally, I load the kids, our belongings and a hot coffee (a must!) into the vehicle… And we’re all set to hit the road! This honestly takes me about 30 minutes to do without feeling rushed.
Stock up your vehicle.
Aside from a vehicle emergency kit (which I definitely recommend updating as the kids grow and the seasons change), store a few age-appropriate distractions on or below the rear seats of your vehicle for the drive.
In between both car seats, I keep a basket full of books for my toddler and sensory toys for my baby. I can easily reach back, grab one and offer it to either child while keeping my focus on the road. This has made for super peaceful car rides!
Time the drive the baby’s first nap.
Another big contributor to peaceful car rides: Timing the drive so that it’s in sync with when the baby is due for a nap. Fingers crossed, they’ll fall asleep without putting up a fuss!
About 90% of the time, I can count on Eden falling asleep in her car seat if we start driving approximately two hours after she wakes up in the morning. Hence, I usually plan to hit the road by 8:30 a.m. for long drives to the trailhead. Of course, I know this will change as she grows up and has longer wake windows… but for now, this works wonders!
Unload your vehicle strategically.
Once you arrive to the trailhead, start by getting your baby ready while keeping your toddler in their car seat. You can continue to offer them distractions like books, toys or even videos off your camera roll while they’re buckled in. However, you’ll want to get your baby fed, layered up and safely tucked into the carrier/chariot before letting the other one loose! If they’re anything like my eldest, they’ll be running away as soon as they can.
Practice feeding on-the-go.
If you choose to breastfeed, practice nursing your baby in the carrier at home. This video demonstrates how to do so with the Ergobaby Omni 360, but I’m sure other carriers might have similar instructional videos online as well. This skill, albeit intimidating at first, is actually quite do-able with practice. Once mastered, it’ll allow you to keep up with your toddler while soothing a hungry baby.
Store a trail book in your pack for the toddler.
If you’d rather stop and feed your baby, I highly recommend whipping out a trail book for your toddler to keep them entertained nearby, without having to chase after them. These books are perfect for that purpose, since they’re incredibly lightweight, rip-proof and water-proof. In other words… Indestructible! You don’t need to worry about adding weight to your pack (they weigh 0.1 lbs!), or about abusing them outdoors (they’re durable and washable).
Always have a means to carry both.
You probably know exactly what carrier you’ll use to bring your baby, but have you given much thought to how you’ll carry your toddler? Despite the fact that they can walk (and even run faster than you’d like sometimes!), don’t be fooled thinking that they’ll hike the entire way. In fact, they’ll most likely need a lift… Especially if they see you carrying their sibling. Make sure you bring some sort of carrier for them, so that you’re not awkwardly and painfully holding them in your arms.
When Eden was young, I had her in our Ergobaby Omni 360 on my front, while Indy rode in our Osprey Poco Plus on my back. However, once she was about 6 months old, and had mastered the art of sitting and head control… I switched it up!
I upgraded her to the Osprey Poco Plus, and packed a Trail Magik carrier for Indy. I must admit, I love this set-up for the following reasons:
Less weight. The Trail Magik folds down significantly and weighs just a few ounces, so it can discretely tuck into one of the pockets of the Osprey Poco Plus. When in need, I pull it out!
Less bulk. I attach the Trail Magik through use of carabiners and buckles to the waist belt and the front upper loaders of the Osprey Poco Plus. Without conflicting shoulder straps, this feels way less awkward on my shoulders.
Better weight distribution. In my opinion, having the heavier kid in front is much more comfortable, since it somewhat balances out with the weight of the lighter kid plus all the packed items in the hard-structured carrier on my back.
Long-lasting use. The Trail Magik is made of durable materials, and is intended for use with kids ages 1 up to 43 lbs. This means you can get years of use out of it, until they’re ready to hike the whole way on their own… Fingers crossed!
(P.S. Use code “mamanurture10” for 10% off the Trail Magik carrier)
I’ll wrap this up with my biggest piece of advice: Get out there, do your best and give yourself grace. The hard days can be so hard, but the good days are beyond INCREDIBLE. Keep in mind that everyone experiences these highs and lows. In fact, surround yourself with others who can relate and support you. Adventuring with other mamas (and especially mamas of two!) has been so helpful for my mental health, despite the complete and utter chaos.
