https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:45:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-683574 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:49:41 +0000 honeybear 683574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live at the beach. :) I am a minimalist when it comes to stuff I have to lug around, so I'd say you need some sort of umbrella/tent (but on holiday, I'd rent one--whatever outrageous sum the hotel charges is worth it not to have to drag it on a plane), a sunhat with a chin strap (should be easy to find for a 5 month-old, but gets trickier as they get older), maybe some baby sunglasses if you like to sit on the beach all day (try BabyBanz, they have a strap instead of earpieces), and a beach-friendly ball to roll around (rubbery ones tend to have sand stick to them--go for smooth plastic). I would go easy on the beach toys. It's so easy to pick up a leaf/shell and a stick to scoop/draw in the sand with and you don't have to worry about collecting them when you're ready to leave. </p> <p>LO is a boy, so we do rashguards and swim trunks, but honestly, I like the sun protection from them so much, I'd probably put a daughter in them, too. The little girl swimsuits with ruffles and such are cute, but they don't cover nearly as well as a long-sleeved rashguard and boardshorts. I basically only have to put sunscreen on his face, hands and feet! For a 5mo, I would skip water shoes, but once they're walking, those shoes are helpful at the beach because they can wear them into the showers on the boardwalk. </p> <p>Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-683487 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:29:43 +0000 LulaBee 683487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just got back from the beach with my 8 month old. We definitely used the sun tent- to protect from sun and wind, LO is not a fan of flying sand. Rash guard- we have one from iPlay and one from Children's Place. Baby sunscreen (we used Badger brand). Sunhat. Cloth swim diaper. Muslin blanket to cover up with for naps. I wouldn't bother with an infant float for the pool unless you will be in a private pool. All the pools we went to wouldn't let us use it because it's not coast guard approved. Have a good trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-683365 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:06:19 +0000 PinkElephant 683365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in Hong Kong and since warm weather is close by year round, have done lots of beach travel with our now 9 month old beginning when she was about 10 weeks old. Here are some of our favorites - they might be a little "old" for a five month old but are worth it if you will continue to travel.</p> <p>This float by the brand Swimways is great. It has a detachable canopy, requires minimal air to inflate, and twists into a small flat bag for travel.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0035X4NNE/ref=mw_dp_sim_ss2?pi=SL500_SY125" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0035X4NNE/ref=mw_dp_sim_ss2?pi=SL500_SY125</a></p> <p>We also use a UV tent that folds similarly for times when there are not umbrellas/cabanas available.<br /> ttp://www.mothercare.com/ELC-UV-Sun-Tent/133014,default,pd.html</p> <p>Swimsuits with built in diapers and UV protection are useful. iPlay is a great brand for these + matching sun hats...., and cloth pocket diapers (without the insert) are REALLY easy to clean and put back on if LO does a poo. Long sleeved rash guards are also helpful for minimizing the need for sunscreen, which my daughter loathes. Her current rash guard is a long sleeved, hooded number with a ruffled skirt from Gap's Sugar Rush collection - super cute!</p> <p>Besides sand toys, we play with pinwheels and bubbles at the beach. The beach is a great opportunity for any sort of messy play or introduction to self feeding you are interested in because its so easy to wash off your baby.</p> <p>You might also want muslins or a reflective sun hood, and a bug net to cover the stroller or carseat. </p> <p>For sunscreen, I like Mustela Special Intolerances - hubby and I have even started stealing LO's for our faces.</p> <p>Finally, we have a small foam fan that clips to the stroller - probably not totally necessary, but makes me feel better!</p> <p>One item that is useless to us is baby sunglasses - she tolerates all sorts of headbands, hats, and footwear but sunglasses absolutely do not fly.</p> <p>I also always end up with way too many regular diapers and clothes. Remember the baby will be in swim gear most of the time do will use fewer diapers and have less opportunity to dirty clothing ( so you can re use the romper/onesie they wear to breakfast)</p> <p>Hope this helps, have fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-683191 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:01:33 +0000 Beebug 683191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: I have nothing constructive to add. I did want to say I am jealous of your beach vacay :p </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-683183 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:57:15 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 683183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skibobrown: @sloaneandpuffy: @chopsuey119: thanks for all the tips! i certainly didn't know about baby powder, i will make sure to bring it!</p> <p>@looch: i saw this in a baby store near me (the raft). I am planning to buy it right before we go, so if we don't use it, i can return it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681328 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:57:31 +0000 looch 681328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before my son was born we took a trip to an all inclusive with a pool and a beach. A family there had an inflatable raft, that they used to float their baby around on. They could have bought it in the gift shop for a boat load, or brought it from home, I don't know, but I thought it was super useful.</p> <p>I always also bring an extra tote bag, somehow stuff multiplies while on vacation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681091 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:33:49 +0000 skibobrown 681091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The beach umbrella and beach mats we bought in Florida, rather than flying with them. Your resort might provide some of that stuff though. We also bought the beach toys once we got to Florida, but we managed to fit them in our suitcases to bring home at the end of the trip. I forgot that we also found lightweight swim shirt to be very useful to keep DD's sun exposure to a minimum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681086 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:17:22 +0000 chopsuey 681086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: we went to hilton head when LO was 15 months old.<br /> 1. we bought a super brella <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Super-Brella-Beach-Umbrella-Blue/dp/B0047ZADSI" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Super-Brella-Beach-Umbrella-Blue/dp/B0047ZADSI</a><br /> and didn't use it since it was overcast while we were there and the hotel actually had chairs and umbrellas along the beach that we could use.<br /> 2. I put LO in a one piece, but kinda wished I had gotten her a rash guard instead. </p> <p>If I were taking my 5 month old to an all inclusive, I wouldn't take towels since you can get them at the hotel. Would take sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, swimsuit/rash guard, disposable swim diapers, baby powder (helps get sand off skin). Babies that age are easily entertained by cups and random items, so I wouldn't bother taking too many toys. I'd also call or email ahead and see if they have umbrellas for shade on the beach. </p> <p>Hope you have a good time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681084 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:16:20 +0000 mamimami 681084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You don't need that much besides the obvious! Baby powder is great to remove sand from skin. Some resorts have pack and plays they'll set up for you by the pool which is great. Or consider bringing an inflatable baby pool you can set up next to the pool so your little one can cool off in his or her own little space.</p> <p>If you want to be super prepared mention the trip to your pedi an ask what you should have in case of insect bites, rashes. Etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681079 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 22:05:44 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 681079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: 5 months. </p> <p>@skibobrown: what were the bulky items you had to buy? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681066 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:42:26 +0000 skibobrown 681066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just went on a beach vacation to the Florida Keys (not an all inclusive). Things that we found handy were<br /> - Beach towels / sheets / mats to lay down on the sand<br /> - A beach umbrella<br /> - Bucket / shovel set for playing<br /> - Swim suit and swim diaper<br /> - Baby sunscreen (zinc oxide type)<br /> - Sun hat<br /> Some of the more bulky items we purchased once we arrived in the Keys, rather than trying to travel with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681058 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:38:16 +0000 chopsuey 681058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>how old will your baby be? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beach-vacation-with-a-baby-what-do-i-need#post-681049 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:33:31 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 681049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am hoping people can answer these 3 questions and this thread will help me and any new mom plan a beach vacation with their baby.</p> <p>If you have taken your baby on a beach vacation (e.g., to an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean):</p> <p>1) What did you bring that you didn't need/use?<br /> 2) What do you wish you brought?<br /> 3) What did you bring and are really glad you did?</p> <p>And any other thing that you think might be helpful! </p> <p>thanks! </p>