Beach trip with newborn

kp90 · March 2016

For any of you STM's... how soon was your first beach trip with your LO and how old were they? Since we are due in May, the start of summer I really, really want to take a trip to the beach with SO. I know I could have someone watch LO for the day but I was wondering how soon is too soon to take them to the beach.. taking into consideration the heat, sun, etc. We live a little less than 2 hours from the beach so its a bit of a drive as well. If we can't make it to the beach I am also considering driving back home to Ohio with LO sometime this summer and spending time with my family at the lake. I just don't want to put LO or myself in a bad situation. I also plan to consult with my doctor or LO's pediatrician but just wanted to get some advice from you other mommas who may have experience with this.

obryana6219 · March 2016

I haven't taken my LO yet because of a medical condition but keep in mind that there isn't any approved sunscreen for babies under 6 months. That would mean long sleeves, pants, and a hat. Depending on the wind and how humid it is may make it a no go.

kp90 · March 2016

@obryana6219 Good point, didn't think about the age for sunscreen. Thank you!

yogahh · March 2016

We just had the same convo last night. DH and I practically live at the beach and since we have the summer off, he thought we could take the baby. I told him there is NO way I would take a 1 or 2 month old out in the sun like that. Even if we set up an umbrella, I feel like the heat could be stifling for her. Better to wait until next year IMO. And it would be more fun for all of us too if we aren't worrying about the heat and the sun for her every second like I know I would if we tried going this summer.

kp90 · March 2016

@yogahh Another good point. I am just craving beach time in a bad way and I get excited thinking about all of us being there together but for an infant I'm sure it will not be enjoyable. By next year, then of course. I guess if we do end up going for a day we will leave LO with my mom... that's if I can stomach the thought of being away from her so soon for a day. My beach craving may have to wait a year.

ayeshaohara · March 2016

I can say without a doubt, coming from Australia that people take their newbies to the beach alllllllll the time. Make sure they're well covered, that you're still feeding them regularly and maybe just don't stay out too long. Small bursts of sunshine

kbrands7 · March 2016

We didn't take DS on a beach vacation until he was a little over a year (15mo). It was a perfect age imo. He was able to nurse, eat, and nap on the beach, was old enough for sunscreen and to enjoy the water and sand.

Eta if we lived near a beach, I'm sure we would have taken him sooner-- and then again around the age we did. Just be sure to stay in the shade, hydrate and feed extra breastmilk or formula to keep LO hydrated, and be able to keep sand out of her face.

js8812 · March 2016

We do a lot of lake time, but it's easy to go into the air conditioning when it gets too hot there. I purchased a long-sleeve spf 50 rashguard for infants, I have a few bucket hats to protect baby's head, etc. I would probably spend more time outside in the morning when it is a little cooler.

ayeshaohara · March 2016

js8812 said:

We do a lot of lake time, but it's easy to go into the air conditioning when it gets too hot there. I purchased a long-sleeve spf 50 rashguard for infants, I have a few bucket hats to protect baby's head, etc. I would probably spend more time outside in the morning when it is a little cooler.

Great advice. Time your sun exposure to the cooler parts of the day. Also keep yourself really well hydrated!

slfezz · March 2016

I took a 3 month old to the beach two years ago. My pediatrician ok'ed using baby sunscreen and we had some color changing bands to keep an eye on how much sun she was getting. Also had a swimsuit with built in SPF that covered the shoulders. We would go out in the morning and spent most of the time under an umbrella and the go inside for the afternoon during the hottest part of the day. At the end of the week, there was minimal skin color change between the arms/legs and her body.

saladflambe · March 2016

I am really hoping our family still goes to the beach this September (she'd be almost 4 months old). Regardless, we WILL be using my dad's salt water pool like the moment I'm allowed to be in a pool.

I plan on using lots of shade, they make really cool sun tents you can set up on the beach, and also I've got a rash guard for her... we don't tend to like to lay out in the sun a ton. My MIL is allergic to the sun, and I think with all of us there, we'd have a good rotation for keeping her back at the house often.

I just love our family beach vacations with my inlaws so... even though I doubt it'd be vacation-y for me, I wanna do it.

dsmith211 · March 2016

We live in Florida, like 20-30 minutes from the beach. Honestly, we probably won't be taking her to the beach just bc of logistics, but it is near impossible for anyone here to avoid heat and sun completely where we are unless we decided to stay holed up indoors completely from May until like October. I mean this weekend alone it's almost back up to 90 degrees outside.

We have a pool at our house though, so we'll probably just be sticking around there. That way if it gets too hot we can just go inside, plus we have the covered patio area where we can avoid the direct sun. Even with that though we plan on getting a tent for the sun, some of the spf shirts/bathing suits, and hats to try to deflect some of the sun.

Bltbear82 · March 2016

I grew up by the beach so we go back to my family house most weekends. DS1 was born in March and couldn't wear spf until September so we really didn't venture to the beach itself but did spend some time outside by the pool. He wore spf shirts, hats and shorts and always stayed under the shade. I also used a clip on fan on the bassinet portion of the stroller and a swaddle blanket tied around to ensure sun didn't reflect off and onto him. I'm super vigilant about sunscreen application though and the poor kid gets slathered all summer now.

Long story short, you won't be taking any full day trips to the beach. You can still do things, just for shorter durations and with a lot more prep.

yogahh · March 2016

Bltbear82 said:

I grew up by the beach so we go back to my family house most weekends. DS1 was born in March and couldn't wear spf until September so we really didn't venture to the beach itself but did spend some time outside by the pool. He wore spf shirts, hats and shorts and always stayed under the shade. I also used a clip on fan on the bassinet portion of the stroller and a swaddle blanket tied around to ensure sun didn't reflect off and onto him. I'm super vigilant about sunscreen application though and the poor kid gets slathered all summer now.

Long story short, you won't be taking any full day trips to the beach. You can still do things, just for shorter durations and with a lot more prep.

Do you go to the local beaches? We live at Riis park during the summer.

RMLandy · March 2016

We have a beach condo we plan on visiting about a month after birth and I plan to take her to the beach. We had a little pop up sun shade - basically a tent that was open on one side - that worked well with my son and we will probably do the same this time! We live in Florida so avoiding the sun is basically impossible!

NinnyJean · March 2016

We only live five minutes from a beach so I'm planning on bringing LO this summer under a beach tent and she has a swimsuit and hat with UPF protection and I talked with my doctor, who also has a LO, and she said that there are sun screens that will be fine. Thankfully we live close enough that we can go for twenty minutes and then go back home

Bltbear82 · March 2016

yogahh said:

Bltbear82 said:

I grew up by the beach so we go back to my family house most weekends. DS1 was born in March and couldn't wear spf until September so we really didn't venture to the beach itself but did spend some time outside by the pool. He wore spf shirts, hats and shorts and always stayed under the shade. I also used a clip on fan on the bassinet portion of the stroller and a swaddle blanket tied around to ensure sun didn't reflect off and onto him. I'm super vigilant about sunscreen application though and the poor kid gets slathered all summer now.

Long story short, you won't be taking any full day trips to the beach. You can still do things, just for shorter durations and with a lot more prep.

Do you go to the local beaches? We live at Riis park during the summer.

We don't, but I know a lot of people that do. My dad lives 3 blocks in from the water in Jersey so we just go there since it's a free beach house. Not sure how that's going to work with a toddler, newborn, and a dog though this year.

AmmyBelle · March 2016

My family are beach people - it happens when you're from a small country where the borders are 75% Atlantic Ocean. I was born in April, so when summer rolled around I was apparently able to sit up and under the umbrella while squishing sand between my fingers. My little sister was born in July. My parents waited a month to take her to the beach. They just set her up in a travel play pen under the umbrella, covered with a hat, sunglasses, a cute onesie, and just ... went to the beach. I think if you're reasonable about it, it's totally doable and my sister never got sunburned or suffered (and in fact, apparently the salt air was good for her according to her doctor).

proudparent2b · March 2016

LO's first beach trip will be at around 1 year. LO's first trip out of town will be at around 5-6 months old.

js8812 · March 2016

NinnyJean said:

We only live five minutes from a beach so I'm planning on bringing LO this summer under a beach tent and she has a swimsuit and hat with UPF protection and I talked with my doctor, who also has a LO, and she said that there are sun screens that will be fine. Thankfully we live close enough that we can go for twenty minutes and then go back home

@NinnyJean What sunscreens did she recommend?

JoMunson · March 2016

I live in Oregon so our beaches are usually overcast and a little cold. Being from California the beach was a summer ritual so I definitely plan on bringing my LO there this summer- well rock long sleeves, pants, hats, and we won't stay too long.

js8812 · March 2016

I found this article on Lucie's List talking about sunscreens for babies FWIW:

https://www.lucieslist.com/lucies-list-blog/2014/05/20/best-baby-kids-sunscreens-of-2014/

MsIan · March 2016

Good question. I haven't decided yet. We live about 5 minutes from the beach in Fla. But like PP have said, it's South Fla., it's not like we're escaping the heat here. I'm thinking I'm also leaning towards 1 year for the beach, but I want to go to NC for Thanksgiving, so we will be traveling around 6 months.

sillyfox · March 2016

My DD was born 5/23 (that year it was the Friday before Memorial weekend) and we went to the beach for Independence day. She was 6 weeks old. We had a bunch of family there and I wanted them to meet her. Mostly, I stayed in the condo with her, or left her (for an hour or so, right after BF when she was asleep) with family and went to run in the waves a bit. But we did take her down to the beach one evening. We didn't have her out there long, and it was right before sunset. We used Neutrogena Free & Clear Sunblock, on the advice of her pedi. He said no chemical sunscreens but sunblock is ok.

https://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Pure-Free-Sunscreen-Ounce/dp/B004D281V6/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1458592013&sr=8-1&keywords=neutrogena+baby+sunscreen

sillyfox · March 2016

Also, FWIW, a 6 week old was SO much easier to travel with than a 6 month old or a 1 year old...

cortney626 · March 2016

I live in SoCal not far from the beaches and I'll be on maternity leave during DD#1's summer break so I would like to go to the beach. Hopefully we can plan for a cooler day, the baby will be covered up, and we won't stay too long.

Kennedy0830 · March 2016

So glad this thread started. DH's family goes to Michigan every year (about 20 people in total) and they rent a couple of beach houses right on Lake Michigan. Well we've been asked multiple times if we will be going and I finally said no when asked this weekend. Living in Missouri we are an 8 hour drive away and LO will be 8 weeks. I understand a lot of families do beach trips with babies under 3 months, but when it's not close by and for an entire week, I'm just not comfortable with it. Finally told my MIL that it wouldn't necessarily be a vacation for us since I will be the one to feed and such - she proceeded to say that she would obviously be there to help and the baby would just be sleeping the whole time anyway and the house has a crib (mind you this crib looks like it's from the 60s..). Right, but up every 3-4 hours to eat and when the family spends ALL DAY at the beach (which we enjoy doing as well) and then drinking all night, not sure this is the year for us to go. I'd be much more comfortable next year!

Pascal86 · March 2016

JoMunson said:

I live in Oregon so our beaches are usually overcast and a little cold. Being from California the beach was a summer ritual so I definitely plan on bringing my LO there this summer- well rock long sleeves, pants, hats, and we won't stay too long.

Me too - I was going to say... why do you need sunscreen at the beach??

(We have our sunny days there, but it would be easy to grab a cloudy beach day if we feel like it).

ayeshaohara · March 2016

Thought you might all be interested in reading this

https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/children/infants

It helped answer some of my questions

finnybooboo · March 2016

Unless either of us have complications, etc, I think we are going to go on vacation in mid-June. A RCS is scheduled so LO will be no less then 6 weeks at the time. My mom/sister and several aunts/uncles/cousins will be there. Basically if we stayed home, we'd be fending for ourselves, hoping that we wouldn't need help for anything that week. We don't really plan on taking the baby to the actual beach except for maybe a photo op in the evening or something. I fully expect that I'll be in the room/balcony nursing most of the time, but at least it will be a change of scenery. I also really want my DD to go and have a great time.

Mostly worried about the drive there and back. It's about 3 hrs, so hoping I can nurse right before we leave and hope baby stays asleep most of the time.

doozer1345 · March 2016

For me personally, there was no way I would have taken DD to the beach before this past summer (she was a little over 2). We had a canopy, several bags with food, toys, sunscreen, towels, drinks, first aid, etc. It was much easier that she could walk on her own since we had to carry all that stuff (we did have a cart as well), she was still young enough to take a nap about an hour after we got there (so DH and I could swap out going into the water), and she was able to be vocal if sand was where it shouldn't be/she was getting too hot/needed more sunscreen, etc. It was more enjoyable with her at the age she was and there was less stress.

Merciel · March 2016

We're taking a two-week vacation in early August which will be partly beach time and partly hiking time, so I'm thinking a couple of sun hats and long-sleeved outfits will be necessary for both of those purposes. We usually go out toward the end of the day, when the sun is less intense, so that should help. We tend to keep moving the whole time, though (the dogs get bored when we just sit around the same spot too much), so tents and static screens like umbrellas won't be much use.

Good thread idea, lots of good suggestions, thanks for starting this discussion.

swflJD · March 2016

We live across town from the beach (about a 10 minute drive), so I'm sure we'll have our baby there within the first month or so. We'll probably go early in the morning or early evening hours when it isn't as hot. Since we live here and can go any time we want, we won't feel like we have to stay very long during any given trip. We got this rashguard/swim trunk set at our shower this past weekend. The material is UPF 50+. We also have this Pack 'N Play Sport with a retractable canopy for sun shade.

OP, if you do take your baby to the beach, I would suggest going in the mid-morning or early evening hours when it isn't as hot and the sun is less intense, and make sure you have adequate shade available to keep your LO out of the sun as much as possible.

Image: https://scene7.targetimg1.com/is/image/Target/50718287?wid=243&hei=243&qlt=85&fmt=pjpeg

Graco Pack n Play Playard Sport - Parkside

lest12 · March 2016

I live down the street from the beach. DS was born in June and we took him a bunch that summer. Kept him covered in muslin blankets, under the umbrella or inside a small pop-up tent that we bought.

He was well protected from the sun. I'm not sure I would have taken him at high noon on a 90* day but we enjoyed the summer.

Like most other things, it's a whole different experience. One of us had to stay in the tent/shade with him the whole time. He would get hungry and I would nurse there. Changing his diaper in the wind was tricky. It's not exactly the relaxing time at the beach we had hoped for

Definitely easier last year when he could walk and run around (though even less relaxing for us!)

We plan on spending a good amount of time at the beach again this summer.

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