Going to the beach with your family is a great bonding experience and can be a lot of fun, but it can also lead to sunburns and other painful conditions. Some children can get irritated skin from the sand and dry conditions. While other children it does not affect them one bit. If you have a baby, you want to make sure that they are safe and protected from any hazards that may be present. Here are a few ways to protect your little one so that everyone can enjoy their time out in the sun.
Planning Ahead
Taking your family to the beach is always a fun experience. Especially if it’s something you don’t do very often. Most families only get to take beach trips a few times a year if they are lucky. The most important aspect of going to the beach is planning for a safe and fun trip. Failure to prepare for a fun beach trip can quickly turn that trip into a nightmare.
The night before is a good time to plan out your meals and beach activities for the day. Having food and snacks on hand is a must, especially when you have kids. Sand can get everywhere, so it is a good idea to prepare lunches and snacks in single-serving bags. This way, if one our your kids gets sand all over the food, the rest of the food isn’t ruined for the day.
On the day of your beach trip comes the sun and fog. Beware of foggy days as it may seem like you don’t need protection from the sun, but that is not true. The sun’s dangerous rays pierce through the fog, and sunburns can be especially bad on foggy days. Below we are going to explore more ways to protect yourself from the sun.
Sunscreen Is a Must for Older Infants
If your little one is under six months old, most doctors and the American Academy of Pediatrics stress that keeping them out of the sun is better than putting sunscreen on them due to their delicate skin. If you have to use sunscreen, use a minimal amount, and make sure the sunscreen you’re using states that it’s designed for babies. Look for an SPF of at least 15, though 30 to 50 is a much better option. If your little one is over six months old, you can apply sunscreen in the same way you would use it to older children or yourself.
Most paediatricians recommend applying a small amount of sunscreen to your baby a few days before you’re planning your beach trip. This gives you time to see if they react to it. If they do, call your child’s doctor to discuss the rash and to get recommendations for a sunscreen designed for those with sensitive skin.
Put up a Beach Tent
A beach tent like the ones Rio Brand from ShelterLogic offer is a small tent that is perfect for keeping your little one out of the sun. These tents come in several shapes and sizes. Some are mostly designed as sunshades. However, there are also sunblock beach tents that look precisely like smaller versions of what you would take camping. You can find these tents in all sorts of colors. If you want to make it easy to spot your tent from a distance it is suggested you choose a color that is bright and not standard.
These little tents give your baby their own place to play or nap while keeping them entirely out of the sun. If you want to ensure that your infant is safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays, a beach tent is a way to go. Plus, during their daily nap, they will have a safe and comfortable place to relax.
Beach tents are also great for changing kids and adults. When your beach day is done, you can use your beach tent to get into your street clothes and be ready to travel back home. Some moms use baby wipes and towels to clean up their children and get them road-ready for travel back home.
Get an Umbrella
An umbrella not only protects your baby from the sun, but it protects you and your other family members, too. You’ll want to get a large beach umbrella, of course, and it may take you a few attempts before you get it anchored correctly in the sand. However, once it’s up, you’ll have a nice, shaded space to lay out your beach towels and relax. Even if you’re using sunscreen or a beach tent, having an umbrella is a good idea. It helps keep you cool and adds another layer of protection against sunburns.
Another option is a popup canopy tent. These tents are open on the sides but have a fabric top that provides shade. They are very easy to put up and collapse down to a small size that easily fits in most vehicles. They come in a variety of sizes, too, so you can find one large enough for your entire family.
Whether you use a beach umbrella or a popup canopy tent, they both need to be anchored well. The beach can be a windy place, and if your shade structure is not secure, then it could cause bodily harm to those around you. If you are using a popup tent, 5-gallon buckets work great. Fill the buckets with seawater and tie them to your tent on each corner. If you are using a beach umbrella, be sure to use an anchor.
Cover Your Little One
While most people wear less clothing at the beach, you want to be certain your little one is covered. They should wear a hat and other clothing made of lightweight material to avoid overheating. If you have them in a baby carrier, you can drape a lightweight blanket over it to block out the sun. Light in color clothing is always best for beach trips as the clothing itself won’t feel hot.
Stores like Baby Gap, Carter’s, and OshKosh B’gosh usually have lines of clothes made for such outings. Don’t forget that babies love to tear off their clothing, especially hats. So, if you are placing a hat on your little one’s head, ensure that they are protected underneath with sunscreen as well. On a hot summer day, it only takes minutes for your baby’s sensitive skin to get burned by the sun’s rays.
Plenty of Liquids
We all know that it is imperative to protect your children’s skin. However, the sun can dehydrate your kids fast. You will want to keep your kids well hydrated. Keep extra baby bottles or breastfeed more frequently. One thing to remember is to avoid giving your baby juice. If you notice your baby getting too hot at the beach, it can be best to cool down inside a beach tent or take your baby to the car and turn the air conditioning on.
Final Thoughts
Going to the beach can be fun and magical, especially for your baby and kids. The key to a fun and safe trip is to prepare for anything that can go wrong and protect your children at all costs. Summer season is just around the corner, so you can start planning those beach trips and beach vacations now.
