Going to the Beach

we took our 5 month old out (9 mo now) and she LOVEd it, Daddy took her out into the water and she loved the waves splashing her (just a little, daddy's tall) and loved just playing on the beach blanket. We had a big umbrella for her, you got lots of good advice, but I didn't see trash bags? make sure you bring several plastic grocery bags for wet suits, dirty diapers and such, it's easier than heading to the trash can every time. Lots of wipes, water and snacks, might want to take her to the car or hotel room for milk time as in the heat, milk doesn't sit well, or if our b/f she may get too hot to eat. the little pool idea sounded great, i do that for my dd at the pool, a little one ring blow up for like $3 at walmart. put sunblock on about 30 min before your headed out, we love being outside and my kids have never gotten sunburn, not even slightly mainly due to properly applying the sunscreen. good luck and have fun!

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SUN BLOCK, SUN BLOCK, SUN BLOCK! LOL
Also, When I take my daughter to the beach, her eyes get really red and watery from the salt water and sand. I have special eye drops for her, but one time she got a slight infection from it and was cranky the rest of the trip. You might want to be careful of that. I have taken her stroller and usually let her sit in that (it has a shade) but I guess umbrella does the same. The stroller works for me, less sand all over the place like on a blanket. But sometimes it is hard to push the stroller in the sand, so your husband might need to carry it if you bring it. Lots of fluids! So she doesnt get dehydrayed. Snacks, beach toys, etc. Also, be ready for a explosion at all times. It never fails. Mine is 2 1/2 so I get her swim diapers too...

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Iv had both of my girls on the beach since infants. I usually bring a stroller for the baby to nap in or sit up in under the umbrella (not sure if your daughter will nap in a stroller. a small blow up pool is great even just a 1 ring one. Toys that can get wet and brush sand off rubberish or harder plastic toys shovel and bucket or spoon and cup if you dont wanna buy them. Sun screen and dry clothes that are cool and loose for when shes tired of being wet. Lots to drink and light snacks. Dont forget extra wipes, not just for a messy diaper but helpful with sandy hands and face. bring a big blanket to keep her off of the sand ( of course she will want to play in it too. Keep in mind the type of day it is an overcast or day with a nice breeze will work best if it s too hot with no breeze dont expect her to last to long. I'v been able to keep my kids on the beach all day (happy on the beach) if they are willing to nap and are kept cool. Dont forget your camera! Oh and lots of diapers, my suggestion is if she has sand in her diaper or swim diaper when you change her take her to the ocean to wash away the sand, dont try to wipe it away

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I love the beach and taking my son there. We took him at 7 weeks, 13 months, 18 months, 24 months and now we can't wait until our next trip in August (he'll be 29 months). The basics you need are swim diapers, wet wipes, ziploc bags for snacks and food, a big beach blanket, umbrella or tent device for shade, a baby hat that secures under the chin (or they take them off), SPF 50 sunscreen (Aveeno is great -so is Banana Boat, Coppertone -any of the kids stuff) -and some type of jog stroller or pack and play. They get tired FAST on the beach, and you can put them in their stroller or pack and play in the shade and let them nap while you read and relax! I'm a beach bum, so we generally go out to the beach and stay most of the day, but as long as you have a good shade option and take food and diapers for the little one -that's fine! Take some sand toys -buckets, shovels, cars/trucks, balls from Target or the dollar store and have a great time! Most babies also love playing where the waves break, in tidal pools or going out with mommy or daddy into the water and floating around. One indispensable piece of equipment I ordered from www.onestepahead.com is the Wonder Wheeler Deluxe -about $60 and SO worth it -you can roll chairs, tents, cooler, towels, toys -everything, and it has big sand tires. If you don't have time to get that -take a wagon to load everything on. My little boy at 18 months would put his shovel in the wave break and watch the tide take it out a little and wash it back in. This was a game he played for about an hour! They just love playing with the water and sand. Have fun!

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Hi A.,

I think everyone has great ideas to help you consider the options and what definitely to take. Took my son to the beach the other day and he was covered in sand from head to toe. My husband suggested getting a milk jug (washed in dishwasher and dried) full of water to wash the sand off, but we all know what happens when sand gets wet! It is even harder to take it off so I went to the Dollar Tree and bought baby powder and used that to take the sand off! Believe it or not it really works - just sprinkle the powder on areas with sand and watch the sand fall right off. The powder absorbs the moisture if sand is wet on body, but smells good too! Works great! Tell me what you thought once you try it out.

Have fun in the sun and keep lotioned up!
April

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We just returned from the beach and saw lots of babies.
I saw lots of little blow up swimming pools. The mom
and/of dad let them sit in it with the unberella over it.
The splashed and were cooled at all times. Always suncreen, hat and plenty to drink. Also, I wouldn't keep them out there as long as an adult would stay. It's just
too, much for them. Go down in the morning and you could
always return later. Af far as toys anything light and you
don't mind getting wet. It gets easier as they get older.
Save the floaty for the pool. Enjoy!

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Don't forget the sunblock for her as well!! If you are gonig to the beach, the water may be too rough for a baby float. Best bet is to hold her in your arms if you want to take her out with you say up to your mid section. Depending on how long you are going to be out there and how hot (my son would start to get over heated within an hour in nothing but a diaper and in the shade with a breeze) something for her to nap in if she will need one like a easy to carry stroller or to pull through the sand instead of lugging the pack 'n play. Plenty of liquids for her to drink to help keep her cool and not over heated. Swim diapers (I recommend Huggies Little Swimmers brand over Pampers Splashers) so she isn't getting water logged wearing regular diapers and isn't getting poop everywhere either. I keep a ziplock bag in my beach bag with both that way I can put a regular diaper on my son if it is going to be a while before he gets back in the water since swim diapers only hold so much liquid before it starts leaking. But she can try to dig in the sand with a shovel and bucket and she might enjoy sitting at the edge of the water letting the waves come up over her legs as well.

So just have fun and follow her lead on not getting over heated and you should have a great time!!

Have fun!
S.

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baby powder! Best way to get sand off little hands and legs. Just sprinkle it on and it dries out the sand, so it just brushes right off.

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Hi A.,

When we took our children to the beach before they could really enjoy it, we always took a portable playpen. Of course you cant forget the sun block and to reapply is often. The umbrella is a great idea as well plenty of towels. A bucket and shovel is always a favorite. Have fun and enjoy the beach!

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