It’s spring time!
Vacations, long weekends and days spent at the beach are in the near future for many of you. BEACHING with a BABY can be quite interesting for the first time parents. Going to the beach with a baby is like packing for a jungle safari, a riverboat cruise and an all-inclusive week on a desert ranch, all at once. A bit of an exaggeration? Maybe. We are not exaggerating at all. It’s hard to replicate the comforts of your own home on a vacation when you have a baby. All of that handy “GEAR” that takes up every square inch of your house is convenient and turns into part of your daily pattern with the baby. High chair, swing, pack ‘n play, crib, etc. – you pretty much use them all on a daily basis – but short of renting a small box truck for a long weekend at the beach, it isn’t coming along for the ride.
This “BRING ALL THE THINGS” line of thinking is hard to shake – and the list of things to pack might hit a fever pitch when you start to list every single baby item that YOU NEEDED to bring ON the actual beach. Keep in mind, that you can only bring what you can carry.
Here is the top list of must-have items when taking your baby to the beach.
Fun:
Baby Beach Tent or Beach Umbrella- Babies don’t like missing out on all the fun. With a nice beach umbrella, you can make your own protective shade. There are also some great tents and shades on the market now that provide shelter from the sun for Baby. For shelter, shade and just a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the beach, little tents are incredibly convenient. A couple of things to look for: one that is extremely simple to set up and a bonus if it offers some sort of UV Guard Protection from the sun’s harmful rays. These tents fold down to practically nothing and usually come with some sort of storage pouch which makes them super easy to store and travel with.
Mini Inflatable Baby Pool and Bath Toys –Time and time again, little baby pool for the beach proves to be the best boredom buster to keep the babies cool and entertained. You can also throw some bath toys in for more fun.
Clothing:
Hat/Cover Up/Rash Guard – (or all of the above) Hats keep sun out of baby’s eyes and off of his scalp. A baby’s skin is super sensitive. Sand is the archenemy of sensitive. It is scratchy, itchy and finds a way into EVERYTHING. Cover ups and rash guards help to protect a baby from all things sun and sand.
Swimmers – If baby isn’t potty trained, it’s important to carry swim diapers (either disposable or reusable) along for carefree potty breaks
Swim Shoes – Whether baby is dipping his or her toes in the great wide open or not, swim shoes are essential for protecting his or her little feet from rocks, sharp objects, etc.
Swim Rompers with UV Protection – Go one step further than just sunscreen by dressing Baby in a cute romper that provides UV protection. These adorable bathing suits give the ultimate protection from too much sun exposure, which can lead to sunburn.
Baby Beach Wrap- Don’t forget a towel for your little one.
Mesh Baby Carrier – Another great way to keep the baby off the sand is to carry her. But you’re probably thinking, “I don’t want to get my carrier or wrap all full of sand, plus the fabric will be so HOT sitting on the beach.” You need to use a mesh sling. It is breathable AND water proof. Perfect for baby wearing on the beach, in the water, etc.
Water and food:
Spray bottle with fresh water – Nothing fancy here, folks. Pick up a run-of-the-mill spray bottle (dollar store, travel section of Walmart or Target, etc.) Fill it with clean tap water before you head to the beach. These could come in handy on the beach when, despite parent’s best efforts, the babies keep on grabbing, holding, scraping and eating sand. A quick spray of water on them and you will be able to significantly cut down on the amount of sand that they eat for lunch.
Flipple – A what? Yep. A Flipple. The Flipple allows you to adapt a standard water bottle into a baby bottle or (sold separately) a sippy cup. Geniously great product.
Munchkin Click Lock Food Pouch Spoon Tips – No more toting around dirty spoons in the diaper bag. No need for a bowl either. Simply twist the spoon tip onto the baby food pouch and squeeze food onto the spoon. Too easy! Included cap eliminates the need to clean the spoon right away.
Snacks and water – Think about what meals and snack time(s) are going to occur as you sit on the beach. Pack plenty of bottled water as well as snacks and food for yourself AND your baby. Think about any bottles, formula or other feeding essentials that you might need and pack for them into your beach bag.
S’well Water Bottle– S’well is a fashionable, reusable, sustainable water bottle company. Their bottles are double walled in stainless steel leaving liquids cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. The bottles feature a quartz finish (no-slip) for that much-needed, sweaty-hand grip – perfect for the beach on a hot day.
Misc:
Stroller or wagon with all-terrain/off-road wheels – You can use a jogging stroller with big tires specifically for things like the beach. Best way also to keep your baby out of the san and also convenient for those just-before-naptime moments.
Powder – Regular old baby powder comes in handy at the beach for sand removal. Just rub some powder on those sandy legs, feet, arms, you get the idea. The powder helps the sand come off without irritating the skin.
Sunscreen – Sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget to throw the sunscreen into your beach bag. Make sure you lather up the kids before you leave for the beach and then reapply according to your product’s instructions.
Ziploc bags –Since Ziplocs are sealed Waterproof bags, they are ideal for keeping items away from the water and sand. You can pack food, diaper essentials and also spare outfits. Bonus – turn an empty Ziploc into a trash bag for any food wrappers, dirty diapers, etc.
Mesh Bags – Pick these bags up anywhere from Walmart to the dollar store. Sometimes they even come in sets of multiple bags. Tuck these bags into your beach bag and at the end of the day, throw anything super sandy inside. Clothes, toys, etc. will shake some of their excess sand off as you walk to your car or hotel, cutting down on the amount of sand that is dragged into your living space.
First Aid Kit – One never knows when an uh-oh moment might occur. That said, being prepared with ointments, band-aids and gauze is important for the safety of every family member.
Sunglasses – Sunglasses aren’t just for jacking up the cute quotient. The sun is hard on Baby’s sensitive eyes, especially if you have a little blue-eyed one. Consult with your pediatrician or optometrist on what’s best for Baby these days.
Insulated Diaper Bag– A diaper bag that is well insulated is a must if your pre-mix your baby’s bottles. Bottle coolers are also available that hold just the bottles, and can be placed in an insulated diaper bag for even more security that the formula
My Vacation Haven features more than 140 Emerald Coast vacation rentals in Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort, Destin, Tops’l Beach and Racquet Resort, 30A, and surrounding South Walton areas. My Vacation Haven is known for its personalized customer care and awesome guest discounts for area attractions and businesses. For beachside fun at its best, every accommodation includes complimentary beach chairs, an umbrella, sand toys and a boogie board for guest use. For your convenience My Vacation Haven is located in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin® Town Center. Our Rentals are available for a whole week or just for a short weekend. Check out our wonderful selections and see our great rental rates available this time of the year. Call up your friends and family and start making plans to come down for an awesome visit. You will be glad that you did!
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