9 Tips for Taking Your Baby to the Beach

I have had the opportunity to take two very different babies to the beach on several occasions. Anyone who has taken a baby to the beach knows that taking a baby to the beach can be a lot of fun. It can also be a lot of work. Here are some of my tips and tricks to having the best beach day ever with your little one and remaining sane.

1. Be flexible

I had to be flexible in my definition of a “beach day.” I had every intention of spending the full day on the sand with my children. It didn’t happen that way. Kids are unpredictable. We sat out on the sand about an hour before the beaming sun seemed to make Deuce uncomfortable. After we left the sand, we headed over to Funland to ride the amusements and play games. Even though the day did not go as planned, we still had a great time.

2. Choose the right time to go

I like to go to the beach in the late afternoon. The beach is not typically as hot. It is also less crowded at this time than earlier in the day. I find it more enjoyable when we are not competing for space on the sand or in the water with a bunch of people.

3. Bring shelter

This one is important. Bring an umbrella or a tent to shade your baby from the sun. Beach days tend to be really warm, and young children may not have the language to be able to tell you that they are getting too hot. Please pay attention to their body language while you are out. If they seem like they are uncomfortable, or out of it, it may be time to get them out of the sun.

4. Sunscreen is a must

Sunscreen is recommended for babies who are 6-months and older. Additionally, the sunscreen should be a broad spectrum with an SPF of at least 30. I put sunscreen on the kids before we leave the house and set a timer to remind me when it needs to be reapplied. If we go in the water, then I reapply it as soon as we come out. Babies’ and children’s skin are more sensitive than grown-up skin. They burn more easily.

5. Hydration is key

Prepare to drink lots of water while you hang out at the beach. I like to freeze a few bottles the night before we go. Those bottles end up serving as ice packs for the food we bring. They melt over the day, and we end up with ice-cold water to drink. It’s a win/win!

If you have a breastfeeding baby, be prepared to nurse more frequently than you do on a typical day. If you bottle-feed them breast milk, be sure to bring ice packs and extra milk for the baby.

6. Bring sand-friendly snacks

I try to stick to prepackaged snacks or snacks that I can place in a Ziploc bag. Some examples of the snacks I bring are applesauce, grapes, string cheese, pre-cut apples, yogurt, and raisins.

7. Don’t forget the swim diapers

If there is even a chance your baby is going to get in the water, then a swim diaper is a must. They do a much better job of handling extreme wetness. If you don’t use a swim diaper, you run the risk of a regular diaper exploding from getting too wet. Don’t run that risk. Just get the swim diaper. There are disposable and reusable options.

8. Bring the fun beach stuff

Some must-haves for my children and me are the obvious items like buckets and shovels. I also like to bring sun hats and shades for the children. My kids wear swim shoes to protect their little toes. A not so obvious item that I like to bring to the beach is an inflatable kiddie pool. The kiddie pool is perfect if you are bringing a really young child. They can splash to their heart’s content in a safe environment.

The last must-have item I bring is a cart or a wagon. It’s too hard to carry a baby and all your must-haves to the beach. It is much simpler to load it up on our wagon or in a cart.

9. Have fun

Whether the day goes exactly as you planned or it ends up being a day that was totally unexpected, have fun! Babies don’t stay babies for long. You’re making memories and so are they. These will be the moments that you can reflect on (when your baby has grown into a big boy or big girl and they are giving you lip) and smile.

Our favorite beach to visit is Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. What beach do you enjoy visiting with your family?