While summer isn't for a few more months, warm weather is just around the corner! I want to start to buy things for the beach. What do I really need, for my then six month old? Besides sunscreen of course...are those little tent things helpful? Which ones are the easiest to carry? Is it best to get those diaper things that are made for the pool? Or are there better ones on the market. Please fill me in! My goal is go to the beach for a few hours just myself and the baby and be able to carry it all myself. Suggestions?
Oh...and does anyone have a diaper backpack they just love?
This is so helpful! Now I feel like have some direction!
sunglasses to protect your baby's sensitive eyes and a generous sun hat to provide coverage for the head, ears and neck. also make sure your sunscreen has a physical barrier (as opposed to a chemical one which can soak into your baby's skin). a good sunscreen is blue lizard or california baby. have fun! i'm looking fwd to going to the beach with baby for the first time as well..can't wait for summer :)
We got a cheapy backpack at Walmart...I get the reusable water diapers...simply because they're easier on our budget...but...it is nice to just be able to throw something away when there's a mess. I like the tent things that don't have bottoms...because my kids like playing in the sand...or an umbrella...or something of that nature. we bring a couple plastic containers...yogurt containers...stuff like that. I'm trying to remember what my kids liked at 6 months old...I think it was mostly just being outside....I just remember trying to do different things with their senses...letting them smell different smells...feel different textures...etc. I don't think you need to arrive at the beach with an onslaught of items...the beach is the 'toy' in a sense...you don't want to take away from that :). Have fun! I'm so jealous! We lived close to the beach until about 6 months ago...and we were there sometimes almost every other day...it was GREAT!!!
When I just had my son, I would take a large umbrella (just carry it like a sling), a large beach blanket, a diaper backpack with snacks and essentials in it . He was much more interested in just playing with the sand than any sand toys at that age.
When I had my daughter, I would put her in the Bob stroller, and pile everything into the stroller. A small cooler for food and drinks, a couple of sand toys, the umbrella, a beach chair, and a large blanket.
I never bothered with one of those infant tents. My kids preferred to be right in the sand.
I also recommend a long sleeve rash guard top and a hat if your child will wear one. Neither of mine would tolerate a hat. So every 20 minutes I would pull them back under the umbrella for 20-30 mins.
I would also suggest going to the beach with a friend who has a child the same age as yours. You get some Mommy conversation and the two kids will keep each other occupied. Also, if you have to go to the bathroom, you and the other Mom can trade watching the kids and all your stuff.
My kids are older now, but essentials for me for the beach included
- a beach umbrella: I like the umbrella because it's mobile shade and can be adjusted easily, placed near the water, and shared with a friend
- swim diapers: they don't soak up all the water and are easy to remove
- a big cotton hat that ties on: the floppy, wide brim shades the face from the sun and the fabric is easily washable and not a burden if it gets wet
- sunscreen: I love the spray on kind and I use the stick for the face
- baby powder: sprinkle on legs, feet and anywhere else sand is sticking onto the body; it instantly absorbs the moisture and the sand can easily be brushed off before getting in the car
- a mesh bag: all the toys would go in mesh bag and sand and water could easily be shaken out instead of taking half the beach with you.
I always had a diaper backpack because of the convenience of it and the ease for my husband to also carry. I always used Land's End diaper backpack and LOVED it! They're durable and flexible and the changing pad slips right into a special pocket out of the way.
Have fun at the beach. It's always one of my favorite activities with the kids!
By the way, quick trick another mom of 3 taught me: bring baby powder of some kind. It dries up the water that is making sand cling to body and you can just dust off the sand and powder to get diaper area clean! Also, buy the long-sleeve rash guard swim suits (and some folks do the whole body suit) so you don't have to slather every inch every hour. For a 6-month old, since they aren't that mobile yet, you might not need this just yet...
shovels. a towel. swim shirt. snacks. if you are going by your self i wouldn't deal w/ chair and umbrella. the tent things are great when they are an infant, and dont move. I assume the whole point of going is to play? so dont bother. I do an umbrella when there are extra hands. you are going to be carrying a baby plus a tote-that is enough. all swim diapers do is hold in the poop and not get all water logged. they dont really hold in pee. target sells washable ones that I think hold pee better. less skin to cover if you use a swim shirt aka rash guard.
I would keep a jug of water in the car to rinse off as much sand off the baby when you are done, snacks, drinks, shovels, small buckets that your baby can possibly carry themselves, maybe an umbrella, obviously a towel. You can use a regular diaper in the water, I don't like to because they get super soggy and heavy. Some think the swim diapers are a waste of money but I love them. You can use a regular old backpack, it's going to get dirty and sandy anyway so I wouldn't waste my money on a special bag. Most important pack your camera, at least that's most important to me lol. Good luck and have fun.
