During my teenage years, I often go to beaches. This thing hasn’t changed until I got married and gave birth to my first child. As early as 10 months old, I started taking my baby to the beach.
Visiting nearby beaches with my husband and child gives me new experiences. But before heading to my calming sanctuary, I need to do a lot of preparations, especially for my baby. All the preparations I do are meant to keep me and my baby safe during our summer beach escapade.
If you also want to take your babies to your favorite beaches, here are my top five tips to give your babies new experiences while keeping them safe on the beach.
- Keep Them Hydrated
Less than one year old kids need to drink a small amount of water every day. But, if we are going to take them to the beach, we should increase their hydration by up to 50 percent. Make sure not to use tap water. I recommend using cool water to keep my baby’s body regulated and hydrated at the same time.
On the other hand, if you are a nursing mom, I recommend you not to use a beach towel when breastfeeding. Instead, wear a lightweight suit to keep yourself comfortable while nursing.
- Use Swim Diapers
Every time I take my child to the beach, the first thing I pack are swim diapers. This type of diaper absorbs more water than regular ones. It also comes with waterproof layers. This means that it can manage even the extreme wetness caused by too much play on the water.
Also, these diapers are reusable. You can hand wash it, but I prefer to use a washing machine to do the work. It also has UPF materials. I do not recommend using regular diapers nor the gel pack ones. This is because they can explode and become messy because of saturation.
- Look for Shelter
Every time I take my baby to the beach, I always ensure that I bring shelter for us. The shelter is essential for you and your baby’s skin. So, in case you forgot to bring shelter, make sure to find one. When you are out on the sand, you may want to pack some sand-free products like evolve towels, or ones similar, as well as swimming attire that can repel sand as your baby’s skin may get irritated if it is coarse.
Most private beaches and resorts offer umbrellas, lounge chairs, and cabanas for rent. If you don’t want to spend money on these rentals, you can also bring your umbrella or tent. I also recommend you place your things in a picnic shelter or under a shaded area.
Remember, our baby’s skin is delicate and needs more protection from the sun. As mentioned by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), babies less than six months old should not be exposed to direct sunlight for long hours.
- Bring a Blowup Baby Pool
Use a baby tool to keep your baby entertained and cool. But make sure to place it in an area without direct sunlight. Surprisingly, my child fears crashing waves and sand. That’s why I always bring a blowup baby pool to keep her safe and comfortable.
- Wear a Sunhat and Bring Lots of Sunscreens
Sunscreens and hats provided additional protection against the sun.
When choosing a hat, I recommend you to choose the bigger ones. I love wearing floppy sunhats because it protects ears, lips, eyes, and face from the sun. I also purchase a small floppy hat with a strap for my baby to keep the hat in place.
Also, sunscreen is a must for us, mommies, and our babies. It is essential protection, especially for babies older than six months. Make sure to apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. I also recommend you to apply lotion with sunscreen protection formula every two hours. Ensure to read the sunscreen’s ingredients and check if it is baby-friendly or not.
Spending a whole day at the beach with our baby is a beautiful experience. But it also comes with lots of responsibilities. We need to make sure that they will not get sunburned or crawl off the sand.
Consider the five tips I listed above to get a fun-filled beach experience with your little one. Do not forget to take multiple photos of your kids while enjoying the beach view and waves.