Baby’s beach bag

If you and your baby want to make it to the beach before dinnertime, the following baby beach bag checklist will be a great help!

You’re quite capable of packing up a baby change bag in no time but, when it comes to your baby’s beach paraphernalia, it’s another story and needs a little more thought. The sun, heat, scratchy sand, hunger and thirst can soon turn an afternoon at the beach with your baby into one of Robinson Crusoe’s adventures.

So, if you want to spend quality time with your baby without putting her at risk, here are a couple of things you should definitely pack into baby’s beach bag:

Four essential sun protection items to include in baby's beach bag

• Sunscreen with a sun protection factor above 50, which is meant to protect your child from UVA and UVB radiation. Choose a product especially made for children, without paraben if possible, so as to meet the demands of your child’s more sensitive and drier skin. Use a spray or a bottle for easier use. Apply sunscreen in thick layers every two hours. You had best cover your baby’s entire body before getting out in the sun;

• A hat, which will protect your baby’s head from sunstroke and keep him cool. Choose a clear-coloured cotton sunhat with a small cordon to hold it in place for more convenience;

• Sunglasses to protect your child’s extremely sensitive eyes. Your little one will certainly complain of the strong light, so pick high-quality cordon-fitted glasses;

• A parasol. Theoretically, your baby should stay away from the sun altogether. You should use a large parasol whenever he or she isn’t swimming or building a sandcastle.

Note that you should by all means avoid going outside during the hottest hours, between 11 am and 3 pm.

Baby beachwear and toiletries

• A disposable swim nappy, which you’ll find in any department store. This way, you won’t need to buy swimsuits, which babies can actually find uncomfortable;

• A terry bathrobe or towel robe: this is the best way to dry your baby while rapidly warming him up;

• A light cotton dress: baby romper, robe or tee-shirt and shorts. What matters is that your child’s beach garments are easily put on and leave her free to move around;

• A soft, hooded sweater and a pair of socks in case the sea wind unexpectedly rises;

• A large beach towel or a tartan rug for your baby to sleep and play on, especially if she still puts things into her mouth.

A small toilet bag with:

• A water spray to refresh your baby quickly;

• Baby wipes for your child’s body and face;

• Nappies;

• Physiological saline and cotton should your baby put sand and salt water in his eyes and nose;

• A disinfectant cream for any little scratches or scrapes.

A snack for baby swimmer

Even if you go to the beach outside of a mealtime, remember to bring baby’s bottle filled with cool water, a juice or even a prepared milk bottle or, if she already eats solid food, fruit compote or a biscuit. All that fresh air and activity can make baby hungry.

Katrin Acou-Bouaziz

Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo

Posted 12.08.2010

Get more on this subject…