Taking an infant to the Grand Canyon?

Question

Is it a good idea to take an infant (2 or 3 months old) to the Grand Canyon? It would be for hiking all the way down (staying at the bottom overnight) then hiking back up the next day.
Has anyone ever done this, or is it not a good idea?

Answer 1

3 months is young, but i have taken my baby's camping. The baby will most likely sleep the whole time. But be sure if you decide to go that the weather will be perfect. 3 months is really young to be out of the house. Most new Born's are supposed to stay inside until 6 months old. Also be aware of lung problems. They are still getting used to breathing air and not fluid, so the change in air might not help.

this talks about taking young baby's:
http://www.camp-a-roo.com/babycamp.shtml

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html

Answer 2

The trail is very rigorous. I assume you will be using a guide. This website tells about all the things to expect in a hike down.

Why do this now? Any way to take someone to watch your baby when you are on this trip? I personally wouldn't risk it. I have hiked a lot in Canada and here in the states, and there isn't a trail that I've gone on (which is not as rigorous as the canyon trail all of the way down -- just in sheer temperature and elevation issues, maybe not so much obsticals), and I can't think of one I would have taken when my son was that young...

We took our 18 month old to the grand canyon -- but my inlaws stayed behind with him when we did a short bus tour (the trip was with them, too.) We didn't hike.

Answer 3

I have never taken my baby to the grand canyon but I do know that it gets extremely cold at the bottom of the grand canyon and that a hike up and down is a lot for a baby to handle plus there are alot of misquotes and other types of bugs. I don't think that it would be a very good Idea.

Answer 4

I don't think it is a good adventure for an infant as young as this for safety reasons and for health reasons. I have been in the Grand Canyon in boat at Lake Mead and through hiking. It is not a trail nor overnight thing for young children. Park rangers will strongly advise to not take such children. A lot of tour guides who do hikes will not allow children. So, I advise this trip for the infant to stay at a relatives.

Answer 5

I have never hiked into the Canyon, but I worked at the airport in the 80s flying scenic flights.

The hike to the canyon floor is NOT a place to take a baby. The terrain is extremely hostile and dangerous.

Apart from the serious safety implications for the baby, you would ruin the trip for yourself.

Answer 6

Are you crazy??? Have you ever taken a trip to the mall w/ your baby?!? That's a handful for me. Think about the diapers, food, formula ( if you're not breastfeeding) that you'll have to take. The baby will probably get sunburned. It just does not sound like a good time to me. I took my 20 month old camping a few weeks ago, not fun. She wasn't in HER bed, so sleeping (naps and at night) was a challenge. Naps during the day were non-existent. And for my child, that makes for a groucy mood.

Answer 7

camping an hiking with an infant sounds like a lot of work to me. Ihave a 5 month old and wouldn't do it, but that is me, I am not sure how active you are. Good luck

Answer 8

I definitely don't think that's a very smart idea. If the baby is only 2 or 3 months old, it needs a lot of care and attention - not a VIP seat in its own baby backpack on your chest.

Answer 9

Wow, that would be quite a journey WITHOUT the baby! :) The only way you could manage it would be with a baby backpack. That is an awfully long time for a baby to spend in one of those, and a lot of jostling and bumping for a still relatively weak and undeveloped neck and spine and skull. I totally think YOU could do it, but I don't think it would be very good for the baby.

Answer 10

I do not think its a good idea, let the baby grow. They are fragile at this age. Plan other vacations that are safe for the baby. Your focus right now should be your baby.