we're taking our LO along for a vacation with our extended family to the beach in south carolina in early may, when he'll be 11 weeks. i anticipate taking him out to the beach for very short stints and keeping him well covered in clothes and primarily under an easy-up tent, but would love any recommendations as to exactly what gear would be best to keep him protected from the elements while allowing him to be exposed to the sand and water a little bit. any favorite swimmy diapers, swimsuits, hats, beach umbrellas, etc. for babies this little? would also love any advice/experience anyone has with a similar trip. thanks in advance!
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I would buy a UV tent, long sleeved rashguard, big floppy UV sun hats, keep sun exposure to 10-15 minute stints since LO is too young for sunscreen. But I'm paranoid about cancer.
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I would try to find a zip up rash guard suit with long sleeves since you aren't supposed to use sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months. Then a big hat and baby sunglasses like Baby Banz if he will tolerate them. I like iPlay reusable swim diapers. The pop up tent sounds like a good idea, and maybe some sort of baby lounger so he can be somewhat propped up? If it's going to be hot at the beach, I would get a misting spray to spray him from time to time to keep him cool. http://www.amazon.com/evian-Facial-Spray-Mineral-Water/dp/B001RO8MNK
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@regberadaisy: definitely, i'm paranoid too, just hoping to figure out which tents, rash guards, etc. will do the best job of keeping my little guy protected!
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@lamariniere: a mister is a great idea since they're still too young to regulate body temperature!
@nellywm: if you look on Amazon there are quite a few with mesh fronts and UV protection! -
@nellywm: we have this tent. It's nice even just for the backyard or park! http://amzn.com/B00000IUXC
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@lamariniere: great tips, thanks! agreed, the mister is a clutch suggestion.
@regberadaisy: perfect, thanks! even better if we can use it after we get back.
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What if you brought a small basin with you, and brought back some water or sand to wherever you're staying? I am thinking you might be at a condo or house?
How long are you planning on being on the beach, a few minutes at a time in the early morning or late afternoon?
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@looch: that's a great idea--something like a mini-kiddie pool that we could dip him in on the shaded porch. we're at a house that is right on the beach so it will be easy to bring him in or out--was planning to have him out for just about 15 minutes or so at a time, depending on how hot it is (expecting it to still be relatively mild in early may, but we'll see!). if it's crazy hot we'll just keep him inside.
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@nellywm: That's what we did with my son, and he was 8 months old at the time! We had a little blow up pool, we filled it with water, let it get nice and warm and them we moved it under the umbrella and he went to town.
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We took LO2 to the beach a lot as a baby (may bday) but I didn't expose him to the sun, sand, sea. We would carry him in the bucket seat and keep him under the umbrella. We also brought an old pnp mattress and set it up in case he wanted to stretch out a bit. Dressed him in just a onsie because it was so hot.
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we did the same thing last year with LO, she was 2 months. A week in the outer banks, NC.
I'd recommend a baby bathtub on the beach (she can lay back and play in the water a bit). The sport brella XL is fantastic. Id avoid one of those big coleman outdoor shade things (square, 4 posts). They are really high up from the ground, even though you are in the shade, the sun bounces off the sand. I should know, my LO got a mild sunburn under one of those (had a hat, long sleeve one piece rash guard, AND a muslin blanket, and a hat on).
we brought our baby bjorn bouncer to the beach (gold star baby item BTW) and she lounged in that and loved it. also brought a portable mini fan from amazon.
Despite the hiccup from the sunburn, we had a great week. -
Our dr told us it was ok to put some sunscreen on DD when she was only 4 months old even though we had heard 6. I'd talk to your pediatrician. Ours recommended the Blue Lizard brand sunscreen for babies.
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I like the iplay reuseable swim diapers too, although if LO isn't really going to get wet they aren't totally necessary. I have seen a lot of people bring baby bathtubs down to the beach and put a little water in them. I also got a huge floppy hat from amazon I think also by iplay. Have fun!
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@skipra @littlebit7 @alphagam84 @psw27 thanks so much!
@littlebit7 thank you so much for the tip! i was definitely considering an ez up type thing so i will definitely make sure to get something that will do a better job protecting him from the rays! sport brella XL looks awesome.
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Best thing we bought was a little pop up tent for LO to use on the beach when we took her to Hawaii at 3 months. http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-2166-Infant-UV-Playshade/dp/B0014I4TYA?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00
We borrowed a little fold-up beach chair from a friend which was awesome for setting up under our umbrella when she wasn't in her tent and it was WONDERFUL, I don't know the brand but it had straps to buckle her in.
We kept her in a diaper (no onesie) the whole time we were in Hawaii since it was so warm, with the addition of a rash guard if we were in the sun.
I don't think you need to worry much, just make sure you have some shade which your umbrella will provide and LO will be fine.
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We took DD at 6 months and this time DD2 will be 2 months. I think it will be even easier because DD was starting to crawl and Keeping her in the tent was rough.
Things I love: UV pop up tent. Our stroller seat folds down to a free standing bassinet, so we had DD take her naps on the beach in that! We brought a little inflatable pool (an infant tub would work too) and let her splash in that.
We had a UV long sleeved swim shirt and hat and swim diapers. With #2 we probably won't bring any swimsuit type of stuff, just keep her in the shade and we probably won't put her in water either. I'll probably bring a bouncy seat down for her to lounge in so she doesn't have to stay flat in the bassinet.
The BEST hats are the ones with ear flaps and the long neck flap! Iplay makes some I believe. Worth every penny!
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