Are you planning on taking your baby to the beach for the first time? If so, you need to take extra precaution to protect your baby’s sensitive skin from the sun. It is advisable for baby’s younger than six months to avoid the sun and sea altogether and stay in the shade. However, for baby’s older than six months, here are some useful tips for their first time at the beach.

5 Tips For Your Baby’s First Beach Trip

• Stay sheltered
• Apply sunscreen often
• Bring baby Powder
• Bring baby swimming gear 
• Pack snacks and water

Stay Sheltered

To prevent your baby’s skin from being exposed to the sun for long periods at a time, set up or stay in a sheltered area. Bring a beach umbrella or a beach tent along with a large beach mat/ blanket. 

Hack: use a fitted sheet to create a safe play area for your baby. Just add bags to the corners of the sheets to keep them up and extended.

A windbreak will help give your baby a safe play area, so they don’t wander too far and provides some privacy for you and your family.

Apply Sunscreen Often

Use sunscreen lotion that is made for babies and toddlers, with a high SPF of 50 to ensure maximum protection. Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before your baby is exposed to the sun and re-apply the sunscreen every 1-2 hours.

Bring Baby Swimming Gear 

Don’t forget to bring appropriate swimming gear for your baby as well as swimming equipment to keep them safe when in the water. It’s best to let your baby get accustomed to the beach environment first by leaving them on the shore before taking them for a dip in the sea.

• Sunhat: Although not exactly swimming gear, it will provide extra protection from the direct rays of the sun when going to take your baby a dip in the water.
• Swim Diapers: Reusable or disposable, choose whatever will be easy for you to take care of after the beach. Just don’t your baby for a swim in regular diapers and clothes as it will not be comfortable.
  
• UV all-in-one wet suits: You can choose to purchase a full body wet suit for more coverage if you prefer to use less sunscreen on your baby.
• Baby float: If you want to enjoy a dip in the sea with your baby without having to worry excessively about their safety in the water, invest in a swimming float pool. Then you can both enjoy and relax.
• Baby pool: A blowup baby pool is the ultimate versatile tool to keep the baby safely entertained and away from direct sunlight.

Bring Baby Powder

Baby powder will be super useful to bring to the beach because not only is it great for diaper rashes, but it also works wonders in removing sand from the skin and even from the hair.

Pack Snacks And Water

If your baby is already taking solid foods, prepare plenty of finger food snacks like breadsticks, as these are easy to eat. Freeze a few bottles of mineral water the day before, so your baby can stay hydrated with cold water at the beach.

If you’re breastfeeding, you can bring a shawl to cover up or find a private place to do it. Alternatively, you can prepare bottles of breast pre-pumped milk. For formula – feeding, take a few bottles of ready-made formula milk.

 

We know it can get a little messy washing beach clothes with all the sand that may still be stuck on them. Laundryheap can take that struggle away and have your clothes, towels and swimsuits washed and returned to you within 24 hours.