Taking Baby to the Beach

It’s beach season, and once again we have an infant during the summer (this is the third!)! The idea of taking baby to the beach can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! I vowed this summer that I wouldn’t stay inside too much just because I have a newborn, so I researched ways to keep baby safe in the sun. If you are also planning on taking baby to the beach/pool/lake this summer, here are some tips:

• INVEST IN A GOOD BEACH TENT— Back when C was born (now 4 years old); I bought a beach tent from L.L. Bean, and while it looked great, it was a PITA to put up! I found it difficult to put up with one person, let alone one person with other kids in tow. Fast forward to this summer, and thanks to an AWESOME recommendation from a friend, I bought this beach tent. It was $74.99 on Amazon and worth every penny. You just pull from the top and it opens on its own. To put it down, you release a lever and push down to fold it up. It has great ventilation and a nice area that rolls out front if you want to sit in the sun. 🙂
• BABY SUNSCREEN— Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional! Although guidelines generally state that you should not use sunscreen on a baby less than six months, my old pediatrician said it was okay after 4 months. He advised testing a small location of skin to make sure that there was no reaction. Baby sunscreens I like best are Block Island Organics (I had to use this in a pinch on Will when he was two months and we headed to Water Country) and California Baby.
• IF POSSIBLE, FIND A LOCATION WITH SHADE— This is the easiest way to avoid brining extra gear and to keep baby cool and out of the sun during warmer temps. Unfortunately, it can be hard to come by at the beach!
• WEAR SUN PROTECTION CLOTHING AND HATS— There are some great brands of sun protection for babies now including Coolibar and NoZone. These full coverage suits keep baby safe in the sun. My favorite style of hats are the ones that have a flap in the back to cover their neck.
• KEEP YOUR BABY HYDRATED— Whether breast or bottle feeding, make sure that your baby is getting enough fluid on hot days. Check his/her diaper to make sure that he/she is urinating normally–this will indicate proper hydration.