Beachin with a Baby

SomersIsles · March 2014

So by the time beach weather comes around for my neck of the woods LO will be somewhere between 3 and 4 months old. DH and I go to the beach OFTEN. Sometimes every weekend. We go camping a lot too and if we're up for a whole week we go to the beach every day. I'm certain this will take a back burner this year as a FTM but I'd like to think a few trips to the beach is still possible.

What kind of gear/supplies do you recommend when bringing a baby to the beach?

This is what I was thinking... let me know if you think it's a good idea and feel free to add/share other insight. We have a sportbrella (it's a beach umbrella that can stand up like a traditional umbrella or lean over like a tent... it's got SPF protection via the fabric) so that's a definite. I'm on the fence on whether we should also buy one of those infant beach tents. My other plan was to simply bring the car seat and use either a lightweight blanket or the mosquito net thing to cover it to keep out any sand in case it's windy and/or he's napping. The car seat can go in the shade of the umbrella. I also have a battery operated fan.

Overall it's quite comfy under the umbrella so I don't think getting too hot would be an issue.

Thoughts??

htn1763 · March 2014

we are going to FL for a week in June. We have the sportbrella too. I think if it's a super windy day we wouldn't spend too much time out on the sand.

Rita092010 · March 2014

If you like going in the water, I love my water ring sling. It has helped me feel a little more secure when holding a wet, wiggly baby in the water.

We also loved camping with our DS that first summer he was born (end of July baby, camped a lot of August while I was on leave). We always took our rock 'n' play with and it worked well since he was used to it.

He loved being outside and we also liked going hiking with him. We had a hiking pack -- Kelty -- that DS would ride in and the shade kept him cool and sticks out of his face.

BabiesFTW · March 2014

Sounds like you've got it covered. I don't think a baby beach tent is necessary if you have a large beach umbrella. Soon enough they'll just be crawling out of it anyway. DD has taken beach naps just as you mentioned - in her carseat with a thin blanket over it.
I recommend bringing a lot of wipes. Sand gets everywhere and it's nice to be able to clean things off.

Eta: RnP is a good idea! We didn't have one with DD#1 but ya'll are right, car seats can get warm.

jwls84 · March 2014

We spend a lot of time at the lake in the summer and I am planning on buying the peapod

We have lots of bugs and I want something with UV protection. Plus it folds and travels awesomely!

We have the go-pod which we used for B because he was older his first summer and we loved it. It is from the same company, it's just for older infants.
Anyway here is a link to the peapod site https://www.westcoastkids.ca/Gear/Travel-Beds-Playards/Kidco---Peapod

myfriendscallmemeg · March 2014

Pinterest! I just pinned a pin the other day! Let me go find it!

myfriendscallmemeg · March 2014

Here it is! She packs for 2, but her list seemed pretty complete to me! https://blueeyedbride.com/2011/09/29/our-packing-list-for-the-beach/

cdnmomma · March 2014

I bought the kidco pea pod plus (it's a bit bigger than the one above). I tried it out and the baby bjorn baby sitter fits right in it. I'll be using them both.

amdecker1016 · March 2014

@Rita092010‌ enlighten me on this water ring sling! Where do you get one?

iheartbooks · March 2014

Can someone also give advice on taking babies in the water? When is the youngest it's ok to take them in the pool/lake? Are there special diapers they should wear?

DRFleener · March 2014

Yeah, what's the ring sling? I love going to the beach and the pool...

CHS2005 · March 2014

I wanted to add from personal experience that even with sun screen, hats and under a shade, be aware of the sun reflecting off the water at the beach. We had a bad burn really early from this.

Ricola · March 2014

You are not supposed to use sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months, so I would plan for shorter days on the beach. Little ones overheat easily. I'd probably get one of those spray bottles that have a fan attached, too.

clo1982 · March 2014

We also have a pea pod plus and dd loves it. It folds up very small which is great. The umbrella would serve the same purpose though. I wouldn't take the car seat personally because I wouldn't want sand all over it and really babies will sleep pretty much anywhere so a towel/blanket under the umbrella should be good! @Minnow1984‌ I used swim diapers with dd. They were just pampers disposable swim diapers. I'm not sure on an appropriate age. Dd was born in June and we took her in a pool in September so she was about 3 months.

TradeMama · March 2014

We go on a yearly beach trip and last year DS was 3 months old when we went. Even with a fan, bouncy chair, beach tent, sunscreen, etc. he seemed to get hot really easily (even though it wasn't all that hot) and I spent a lot of time inside or on the screened in porch of the beach house. We are also members of a pool and I was not comfortable taking him in the water until he was about 5-6 months old (and could support himself) so the season was pretty much over by then.

Hopefully you have better luck!

jbelle · March 2014

Rita092010 said:

If you like going in the water, I love my water ring sling. It has helped me feel a little more secure when holding a wet, wiggly baby in the water.

@Rita092010: I didn't know such a thing existed! Like others, I'm so curious to hear about this and would love a link if you have one.

SomersIsles · March 2014

Hmmm the more I think about it the more I think the car seat may not be a good idea since it's black. Even in the shade... it just seems like a sweat magnet. Plus... getting sand in all the little nooks and crannies... yeah I'm reconsidering.

I LOVE that pod thing! I wish it weren't as expensive... seems like I'd only get one summer's use out of it.

pepperedmoth · March 2014

Why couldn't he just wriggle around on a blanket in the shade? It's not like you'd leave him alone anyway, peapod or not.

ETA: We grew up going to the lake ALL THE TIME in summer and that's what I remember my mom doing with my little sisters. No extra gear.

cdnmomma · March 2014

The kidco pea of goes on sale at bru fairly often, but I'm sure second hand would be really affordable.

Rita092010 · March 2014

DisneyAddict1 said:
Judging from google, it appears to be a ring sling that is made from a mesh?

Yep! This is similar to what we have. It doesn't get heavy with water and dries super quick. Plus, it is breathable so you can use it other places.

Rita092010 · March 2014

amymheidecker said:
@Rita092010‌ enlighten me on this water ring sling! Where do you get one?

I bought mine from a local store, so I didn't get it online...but I'm sure with summer coming they will start popping up more online.

CruiseGirl28 · March 2014

Ok. Now I need a ring sling lol

ChristineRich06 · March 2014

We got a pop up beach cabana when DD2 was little. It's similar to the sport umbrella but it has a bottom to it so the baby stayed out of the sand (as much as possible at the beach) it was big enough for all of us to sit in. I was able to nurse her in there and make sandwiches and change Dd1 clothes. It is sort of half dome like with an open front.

babylimas · March 2014

We spend a ton of time on the beach. In fact Will had his first trip this past weekend. With my first we just used an umbrella with a blanket. Also I love to dig a hole near the water that fills up with water and let them splash. Easy way to let the tiny ones play in the water. Also warning - they love to eat sand. The diapers are always fun afterwards.

kimberpoo · March 2014

I was thinking about this same thing today! glad OP asked the question!

amdecker1016 · March 2014

@DisneyAddict1‌ @CruiseGirl28‌ @‌jbelle
I googled and found this!

https://babyette.net/product/waterbaby-mesh-ring-sling-2-2-2-2-2-2

clo1982 · March 2014

SomersIsles said:
Hmmm the more I think about it the more I think the car seat may not be a good idea since it's black. Even in the shade... it just seems like a sweat magnet. Plus... getting sand in all the little nooks and crannies... yeah I'm reconsidering.

I LOVE that pod thing! I wish it weren't as expensive... seems like I'd only get one summer's use out of it.

@somerslsles for size reference I have the pea pod plus and can fit in it. I'm 5'7". I wouldn't sleep there or anything but sometimes we get it out at home for dd to use as a fort to play and she wants me to hide with her. I can get in and lay down kind of curled up with her in there easily. She is turning 3 in June, is tall and could easily sleep in it with plenty of room to spare. I know the regular pea pod is smaller, not sure by how much but the 'plus' is pretty huge when opened.

CruiseGirl28 · March 2014

amymheidecker said:
@DisneyAddict1‌ @CruiseGirl28‌ @‌jbelle
I googled and found this!

https://babyette.net/product/waterbaby-mesh-ring-sling-2-2-2-2-2-2

I found one on Amazon that's "Caribbean blue." I think I need to order it.

mrsdahamm · March 2014

Do the ring slings come in specific sizes? Or do they adjust?

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