Taking 4 Mo Old to Beach for First time..any Advice?

use sunscreen!! we took our baby to the beach when she was 3 months old and didn't put any sunscreen on her because the bottle said under 6 months ask a doctor. so we kept her under the umbrella the entire time and she got very sunburned from the reflection from the sand. i was so stressed about having her in the sun that we didn't even take her down to the water. we felt terrible. i think there are also little bathingsuits that have spf protection.

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You would benefit from reading on infants and sunscreen. I am a burn trauma nurse and can't understand why anyone would want to take their infant to the beach unless it is at the end of the day (4pm). Pediatricians do not recommend sumscreen/block on infants under 6 mos. Infants can develop a burn in record time.

There may be some really new developments on the market now for sun protection for infants but even with that said, It wouldn't persuade me to encourage anyone to take an infant to the beach.

If you do, use the highest SPF you can find. And don't take him out when the sun is the hottest. There are little beach tents you can purchase. Use a hat for baby.

I am a mother of two kids and I did take them to the beach either early in the morning before the sun was the hottest or at the end of the day but they were a yr old and able to walk. I still insist on them wearing SPF 30 for beach and sports (and they still tan through it).

Good luck in what you decide.

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I took my 8 month old to the beach a lot last summer, and I always brought an umbrella and took the baby on the beach in her infant car seat. She was happy to sit in there and watch her brother play in the sand. Since your little one isn't crawling yet, you could put him on a blanket in the shade with some toys. You could even get creative and dig a little bucket seat for him in the sand under the blanket. Enjoy your beach trips this year, because next summer you won't get to sit down for even a minute!! My daughter is now 19 months old and just discovered the ocean....and runs as fast as she can into the water!

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Just remember that in the water the baby will only be good for about 10 -20 minutes even in the sun.

watch his lips they will start to turn a shade of blue this means times up, he will need a warm shower to bring his body temp up.

also take a good sun umprella that you can put up, that way he can sit out side for a little longer under the shade.

babies also should not be out during the hotteset part of the day, so i suggest either right before dinner or early in the moring right after breakfast. this is because babies over heat a lot faster than we do.

also if you are breast feeding make sure you take extra water more than you usually wold for you to drink (dehydration)

sun bolck

hope this helps.

Not sure how long your walk would be from the house or hotel you are staying in but we got a small kiddy pool and took it out the the beach with us and partially filled it with ocean water. Allowed the little one to cool with out getting in the ocean. I guess at 4 months you would have to hold your little one up but it might be worth it.

I didn't know this until my second kid - but swim diapers don't hold liquid. They're expensive, so if it wasn't dirty one of my friends would rinse it out and use it a couple of times. I would have done that if I'd known the pee just goes right through anyway!! Also, no one else really says this (maybe their kids loved the beach) but I had a really hard time with my girls at the beach up until about the time they were 3. Now they're 6 and 4, and I'm actually looking forward to our beach vacation this year! I don't know what it was, but my kids hated the salt water, the sand, the sun in their faces. There was a lot of whining and it wasn't worth it. So, just be prepared. Hopefully you'll have a better experience than I did. If not, don't worry, it'll get easier eventually :)

one of the cutest and most practical things I've seen on the beach are those baby cabanas; they pop up so aren't bulky to carry, and you have a floored space to put the baby in out of the sun.

I bought 2 swimsuits for my daughter, but the only on we used had long shorts and 3/4 length sleeves.

Under 6 months, sunscreen is relatively ineffective as the child hasn't developed the ability to work with it to cope with the sun. In any even, the less sunscreen you have to use on the baby, the easier it is for all.

A floppy hat and sunglasses are also good.

For the pool, we bought this and LOVE it...

http://www.swimways.com/teachmetoswim/step-1.asp

It was $20 or so at a baby store.

One big thing is that he is too young for sunscreen so you will need to keep him in the shade, like all the time really. They make little baby tent shade things for the beach. Be real careful in the pool too as the chorline and other chemicals can be super harsh on such a little guy.

For the ride, just try to go when he's likely to sleep.

Keep your sense of humor and be prepared, little babies don't usually liket to travel so his sleep patterns and such may get all out of whack.

Sorry, not trying to be a wet blanket, just been there done that with the first and we opted to stay home alot more with our 2 kiddo.

Get an infant tent to set up on the beach. I got one from one step ahead and it was great. I put the bouncy seat in there and my son and he loved it. I didn't use sunscreen because my children have highly sensitive skin and he was only 3 months and he didn't get burned with the using the tent because it was UV protected. We took him out on the beach when it was shady.

Realize that you should keep him in a onies at all times, even in the water, to protect his skin, but nothing is sunproof, except a disposable diaper, so sunscreen under the clothing, before you ever get them dressed. And as I learned the hard way, put it on before the diaper and make sure to go well into the diaper area, so you don't end up with a sunburn ring around the diaper, that moves and shifts during wear. Also, the son affects them more, they will sleep more. We purchases a battery operated, "stroller" fan and set it up on the diaper bag to help keep him cool under the umbrella. That way he could be out longer and he would nap on a blanket under the umbrella without getting sweaty. Have fun and be aware, he may not like the water!!

HI!! We took our first son to the beach when he was 6 months old! It was fun, but definitely not like going just as a couple!! He hated the sand and he hated the ocean, loved the pool, but not the ocean! We took a pack and play (play pen) and hooked one of those huge umbrellas to the side so that it would cover him while he was sleeping! It worked, but of course we had to make sure someone was on the beach with him the whole time, so my husband and I didn't really get any time to our selves! Since our second son, we haven't been to beach. We really don't have the likes to after the crazy experience we had last time! Can't go out when it's hot, takes 30-45 minutes to get ready to head out on the beach, no night time boulevard walks, the strollers don't go well on the beach and the little swimmers are horrilbe plus, going out to eat at some of those fancy restaraunts isn't too fun with a baby! The car ride was the best part of vacation! He slept almost the whole way, just make sure you stop every couple of hours to hydrate him, change his diaper, feed him and get him out to stretch a little and I'm sure he will stay comfortable for the trip! Good luck on your first beach trip with a little one!! Now, our vacations consist of going to the zoo (which is an hour away) or to the park for a picnic! LOL:)

My daughter was 4 months when we first took her. Take a hat, I kept her out of sun completly so I did not need sunscreen. They say (doctors)don't start with sunscreen until 6 months & to keep out of sun till then. But other than the hat, a good spot to sleep on the beach is important, because the sounds, sea air, knocks em out!!! WAHOOO!!!
Have fun & dont stress. Take pictures!!
J.

Have a fun trip and don't stress too much. We brought our son to the beach all last summer starting at one month old.

Car - Try to plan your trip around nap time so your baby sleeps most of the way. We also find ourselves traveling late at night so that we don't have to stop.

Beach - Even though the web sites and others don't recommend sun screen until 6 months, just use it. I've read that California Baby Sun Screen has been rated the best, but it is hard to find. Make sure you slather up your little one and bring a hat for him. Also, make sure you have an umbrella and a beach tent. We also used a big blanket - like a Queen size comforter - for him to roll and lay on. Stick your guys toes in the water and get him used to the water - especially if you are big fans.

Pool - Babies love water - They spent most of their life so far in it. Hold your baby and bob him up and down or walk from side to side with him. He may be fussy if the water is cold.

Be sure to give our baby a good bath every night to get the sun screen, sand and more off. We got a bath tub at Target. It is a blow-up duck which also serves as a pool. We take it everywhere with us - best $10 I ever spent.

Have a great time!

My son was 6 months when we 1st took him to the beach but he loved it. Lucky for us it was only 3 hrs away. He was old enough for sunscreen and I used the AVON cool and fabulous. The floppy hat was great for keeping his head cool (we would wet it and let him wear it damp), a beach umbrella was a must, a clean sheet to sit on, extra towels for diaper changes so you can change him on something not sandy, swim diapers but don't put them on til you are ready to go in the water(they aren't really "diapers" as they don't hold liquid...my husband found out the hard way just solid matter in:-) ) and a camera and a stroller with big wheels. And baby powder, it makes the sand come off really easily. Have fun.

It may seem obvious but don't forget all of your feeding supplies, pacifiers, special blankets, etc. I found the stroller indespensible as the baby was up early and I went for early morning walks. I always took an "emergency kit" w/a thermometer, tylenol, gas drops, etc. No one wants to have to run out at midnight for things like that.

I did the exact same thing w/my 1st child--I have to admit it was was a hard adjustment for me. I was used to sitting on the beach w/a magazine and relaxing and having an infant who cried alot was difficult--no more relaxing vacation. I guess my advice is that you remember things will be different than they used to be and enjoy your trip and your new family and the new experiences you'll have. Take lots of pictures--it's really fun to look back and remember your first vacation. they grow so fast!

If you wear him in a sling you can wade out in the water a bit. When you are sitting in the sun on the beach of course use sunscreen but you can also use the sling to nurse discreetly.

As far as the car ride, we drove from VA to FL when my son was young (under 1 yr), and one thing that helped us was playing a certian CD at night for him when he was falling asleep for a few weeks prior to the trip. When he'd get cranky in the car, we put his CD on and it helped calm him down. He didn't get attached to listening to music at night, or to only listening to that CD (it was one of the Baby Einstein ones-I think Baby Bach of Baby Lullibies), so we never got stuck playing one for him all the time.

When I would travel with my daughter as an infant, I found it best to save her bottle or feeding until we were in the car or plane. That way, when she started crying, I had a way to comfort her on the road. The music also helps.

Going out on the beach, I would have the baby in the shade (umbrella for her). Always a hat too! Most of all, consult your pediatrician on the best sun care for your infant and shade or not, drench him in it.

Put sun screen/block on him! My doctor told me it is definately better to put sunscreen on any exposed skin then to have them get a burn. And he will burn at the beach if you don't put any on him. Any sunscreen formulated for babies should be fine. We used water babies when my son was 4 mo. Also as someone else suggested a bathing suit that has a upf or spf rating is good. They make some that are upf 50 I have seen at target and you can get them online. I got one for my son that had a shirt too, this minimizes the amount of sunscreen you have to put on their skin. And a sun hat with a brim that goes all the way around. You could try sunglasses, but my son would only wear them sometimes. Make sure to reapply sunscreen every few hours, and if he gets wet even sooner.

You can get disposable swim diapers or you can get one or two that are reusable. Target has reusable swim diapers or you can find them online. The beach cabana sounds like a great idea too! Have fun!

Two years ago we got an excellent contraption at Target. It was almost like a mini cabana. I just looked but couldn't find it. Similar is the Coleman Roadtrip Beach Shade $49.99. I don't think we paid that much for ours. It was perfect for letting our little one take naps on the beach. It helped with the wind and the sun and we were able to stay at the beach from morning until evening without returning to our house for naps. It also packed up nicely. Have fun on your trip!

sunscreen. and make it as comfortable for the baby as possible. So everyone will enjoy themselves.If baby uncomfortable so is everyone else.Have Funnnnnn

Ring sling. It will serve you well for this and other outings. (no padding, metal rings instead of plastic)

We found that a little baby beach tent helped when our daughter was under one - it is cooler, uv protected, and gets less sand than a blanket. Stores like One Step Ahead or Sensational Beginnings sell them. Target sells UV protecting swimsuits and hats in 6 months sizes as well, although your pediatrician might give you the go ahead to use some sunscreen even at this age. Swim shoes are great once they start standing up to prevent falling and scrapes on the bottom of the pool. And a good baby carrier like a Baby Bijorn or a Moby Wrap - you will probably be walking longer distances on sand in places where you can't bring a stroller. Bags with big beach/sand friendly wheels are great too for all those toys diapers, etc. And don't foget swim diapers.

Hi Noelle,

Make sure the baby is not in full direct sun more than 15 minutes. Cover the baby with baby sun tan lotion. Have a hat for his head. Sunglasses for his eyes.

Make sure he drinks plenty of water and stays protected from the sun by staying in some sort of shade.

Good luck. Have fun. D.

The small pop open tents are great for keeping the sun off.

Noelle,
I would recomend bringing an inflatable bathtub (the type they sell for travel). We used one at the beach for my son when he was around 6mos old. It was a clean place to have him play w/wo water, and limited the amount of sand he ate and that got into his diaper. We would also lay him in it under the umbrella for naps on the beach. It worked well and didn't take up much space in packing. Good Luck, and have fun.

C. G

Noelle, I'm H., mom of two boys-almost 8y.o. and 13mo.old. Last summer, when the little guy was 5mo old my husband and I took the two boys from northern VA down to Hilton Head, SC. What a trip!! The trip down was hard!! It helped most to have one of us in the back w/ the baby and our oldest went w/ my parents. Not always the solution, but the baby MUCH preferred to be able to see one of us! We stopped about every 2-3 hours, unless he was sleeping and then we waited until he woke up.
For the beach itself, we paid for an umbrella and two chairs each day (they were on the beach already and rentable by anyone. I wish we had had our own, because there were about 50 in a big line and we couldn't move anywhere. Obviously my son and your baby don't move much, so I would get a little fan if you can so he can have air flow. Being close to the beach would be good because then you can go in and out frequently instead of staying out for a long time. Get one of those tent like covers and he can take a nap right there. My son slept GREAT in the stroller as we walked on the beach, but he got really hot, so we had to go inside often! Whatever he's drinking--bring lots of it..he'll probably drink more than usual to make up for the heat and sweat loss. Sunscreen, of course. Most are not recommended for babies, but there was one I found that our Pediatrician said was OK, but I don't have it anymore. I got it at our supermarket, so it's not hard to find, I just don't remember the brand--sorry! My son wouldn't wear a hat or the little sunglasses, so we had to just keep an umbrella over him!
We had a great time w/ him, I just didn't get to do any laying out myself because I had one or the both of them to watch and try to keep out of the sun! :) ENJOY!!
peace,H.:)

If you don't have one, a sun shelter tent for the beach is really helpful; it will get him out of the sun (some say you shouldn't use sunscreen on children under 6 months), give you a more private place to feed him, change him, etc.

Snacks, music, and books are a definite must for the car.

Have a great time!

Hi Noelle,

Have a blast. The one item I wish I'd known about previously that's great for the beach...baby powder! It's great at removing the sticky sand. I keep reading about it in parenting magazines.

T. A

I found a bathing suit that covers the legs and arms and is made from an SPF 50 material. It is called splashkins by MadMax. So much is covered up by it that there is very little exposed skin, which is a very good thing.