5 Tips for Bringing Baby to the Beach

5 Tips for Bringing Baby to the Beach

Beach days are great, and they can be the best when you have a baby — as long as you plan accordingly. Bringing your baby to the beach can feel intimidating to some first time parents, but as long as you have a game plan and the right gear, baby beach days can be a breeze. We talked to a handful of mom’s to get their valuable advice — here are their top 5 tips for taking baby to the beach.

BYO Shelter

The most important thing for any outing with a baby is safety, and the beach can be a harsh environment for those littles without the proper protection. When it comes to spending time in the sun, you’ll want to make sure you pack your own shade! Don’t count on finding a shaded spot or renting an umbrella — bringing your own umbrella or tent will be crucial to keeping baby cool and out of the sun. Lay down the beautiful Grandé Fleur Nightshade Picnic Blanket by Wandering Folk to keep the sand away and place your umbrella or tent over it for a safe play area for baby. For naps or lounging in the shade, we love Dockatot’s Cabana Kit. It has a retractable UV-protected shade of 50+ SPF, shielding your baby from the sun and other elements to make your time at the beach even more relaxing.

Sunscreen & more sunscreen

Of course you’re going to want to bring sunscreen to the beach. But, when you head out into the sun with your baby, bring more sunscreen than you think you need. I like to pack 2 or 3 bottles: just in case I forget one somewhere, lose one at the bottom of my bag, or run out. The last thing you want is to have to bail on your beach day early because there is no more sunscreen to go around. Setting a timer to reapply sunscreen to your baby can also be really helpful in preventing a sunburn. Our go-to sunscreen for babies? Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 40 by Earth Mama Organics! This cruelty-free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion (Broad Spectrum SPF 40) is formulated for sweet, soft and delicate baby skin with organic shea butter and organic calendula. It also contains non-nano zinc, organic red raspberry seed oil (which has the highest naturally occurring SPF value in the plant world) and organic pomegranate seed oil for a boost in UV protection. It’s not only safe for babies, it’s safe for oceans, reefs and swimming pools, too.

Keep Em’ Hydrated

Babies overheating on a hot summer day is a valid concern for parents. Having fluids readily available is crucial for preventing dehydration. It is not recommended for infants under 6 months to drink water, so make sure they drink plenty of breast milk or formula. Babies over 6 months who have started solids can be given sips of water on hot days in addition to milk. And, just like the sunscreen tip: pack more than you think you need. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you won’t run out of fluids for your baby. Need to keep water or milk on ice for your babe? Fill up the handy dandy Ziggy Cooler Bag by Wandering Folk! This vegan-friendly cooler bag will keep your drinks and well-chilled with its padded cooling insulation. The clear interior lining is attached with velcro for easy removal and washing.

Leave the Diaper Bag at Home

This tip is less about the baby, and more about the cleanup for the parents. I know that you already have your diaper bag packed with all of your usual essentials — so you may think you could just add a few swim diapers and call it a day. Trust me when I say: you’re going to want to leave the diaper bag at home. Pack a fresh bag with only your beach day essentials that you won’t mind getting sand in. You don’t want to be pulling out sandy pacifiers or diapers weeks after your beach trip. For a designated beach bag, we love the Matisse Sunset Tote. This beautiful woven raffia tote bag features an interior slip, zipper pocket, magnetic closure, and ample space for all your baby’s sunny day essentials.

Keep it Brief

For most parent’s the days of spending hours and hours on the beach are on pause when they bring a new baby home. Test the waters by planning your beach trip around nap times and meals — you may be able to keep meltdowns at bay! Plus, a shorter beach trip may help keep your expectations in check. Dip your toe into taking the baby to the beach with shorter trips before you commit to a longer outing. 

Most importantly? Try to have fun! Making memories with your new bundle of joy is what it’s all about.