" Don't forget this on a trip to the seaside "
A vacation by the sea offers relaxation, fun and variety for the whole family. The right preparation is the be-all and end-all if you want to enjoy your family vacation to the full. If you go to the beach with a baby, you have to take their special needs and vulnerability into consideration. Read here about the things you should definitely take with you to the seaside.
The danger of UV rays
As adults, we immediately think of sun protection every time we go on vacation and go swimming. Appropriate precautions are all the more important if you are traveling with your baby. Babies' thin skin is very sensitive to UV rays. Therefore, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight at all during the first year of life. Sunburns in childhood significantly increase the likelihood of skin cancer.
Therefore, take a sunscreen suitable for babies with you to the beach. It should have SPF 50 and preferably be waterproof. Nevertheless, it is advisable to reapply after every contact with water. The first application is best done in the morning before getting dressed. This ensures that you reach all parts of the body. Even if your child is only in the shade, sun cream is a must.
Also protect your baby's sensitive skin from UV rays with long clothing. There is special sun clothing for children with integrated UV protection. Otherwise, airy cotton clothing has proven to be particularly effective. Headgear is essential on a family vacation by the sea. This should have wide brims, a neck protector and a cord to hold it in place. In windy areas, earflaps protect the little ears. A bathing poncho for drying off provides sun protection for the upper body and head at the same time.
The sun is at its most intense in the midday heat. You should therefore avoid the beach with your baby as much as possible between 11 am and 2 pm. Retreat to a shady spot or use this time for an afternoon nap in your accommodation.
The right towel for your baby on the beach
You can never have enough on vacation by the sea bath towels with you. It doesn't matter whether you're going to the beach with just one baby or a whole bunch of children. Plenty of towels are always helpful. They quickly get sandy and wet on the beach. Many babies find it unpleasant to be rubbed down with a sandy towel. Replacement is the magic word here.
In addition, different towels fulfill different tasks. The hooded bath towel and the poncho are needed immediately after splashing around. Your baby can be completely wrapped up and dried in them. At the same time, a hood protects wet hair from the wind. This significantly reduces the risk of catching a cold. You can also leave the poncho on your child for a while, as it offers the same sun protection as other items of clothing.
Large bath towels are practical to lay on top. Several of them next to each other make a cozy landscape to lie on. Wet parents can also dry off with large towels. They also have small towels also have their place. They can be wrapped around wet hair or used to dry specific parts of the body. If you spill something at a picnic on the beach, wipe it up with a small towel.
The ideal base camp on vacation by the sea
As there is rarely any natural shade on the beach, it is better to take your own shade provider with you on vacation. This could be a large parasol or a beach shell or beach tent. The latter have the advantage that they provide shade as well as a base. Even crawling babies can be easily supervised inside the beach shell as they can only move in one direction. Look for certified UV protection when buying your sun protection.
If you are going to the beach with a baby, large underlays are extremely practical. Of course, towels can also be used as a surface to lie on, but a blanket or several mats give you more room to maneuver. It all depends on whether your child likes lying in the sand or finds it rather uncomfortable. A folding beach chair or lounger will also make things more comfortable for a breastfeeding mother.
Camp in the shade and don't forget a hat when sunbathing
Store a change of clothes in a corner of your camp. A complete second set of clothes is also essential for older children. On cooler beaches, warm clothing is particularly important. Babies get cold easily, especially after splashing around. Take plenty of diapers with you for your diapered child. Waterproof versions often make sense by the sea.
All about the physical well-being
Someone is always hungry on a family vacation. A well-stocked cool box is therefore standard equipment for a day at the beach. Pre-chilled cool packs ensure the ideal temperature. Plenty of drinks are also important. Children need more fluids, especially when playing in the sand and salt water. Breastfeeding mothers also need to make sure they drink enough fluids.
If you are not breastfeeding, pack all the utensils you need to prepare a baby bottle. As the milk is usually mixed warm, a little hot water from the thermos flask is necessary. If the baby bottle is already passé, put the baby food in the cool box. Add a few pieces of fruit, vegetables and cheese - all cut into bite-sized pieces. This reduces the risk of losing too much food in the sand. Yoghurt is also a healthy snack on an afternoon at the beach. Pretzel sticks, bread rolls or rice cakes do not necessarily have to be stored cold.
The little ones like to help themselves to whatever is in front of them. A handful of sand quickly ends up in their mouths. Stones or shells can also be tempting. Stay calm in such cases. Try to get as much out of their mouth as possible. The last grains of sand can be washed down with water.
Splashing and playing on vacation
Even when playing in the shade, always make sure you have sufficient sun protection. A cooling pad in the baby carriage ensures a pleasant temperature. Cotton sheets are the first choice here. If the baby is to take a nap in the pram, an awning or parasol should shade the entire area. Remember that the sun moves during longer naps! If your little one is reluctant to fall asleep in unfamiliar surroundings, take a short walk away from the sand.
Don't let them splash around unsupervised
What many parents forget is the right sunglasses for their baby. The sun can also dazzle them on the beach and in the water. Appropriate certified models are available to buy in specialist eyewear stores. If your baby is already walking on their own two feet on the beach, they will also need suitable shoes. The sand is hot and there are stones, shells and perhaps broken pieces lying around. Shoes with sturdy soles are essential for protection.
Good sun protection is also needed when splashing around on a family vacation. A long T-shirt or sun-protective clothing will shield your baby's sensitive skin. Do not stay in the water too long with your baby. Temperature regulation does not yet work so well, which is why hypothermia occurs much more quickly than in adults.
Small sand toys will keep your child occupied for hours. Shovels, molds and watering cans are the classics. Always keep an eye on everything. Your toddler should never be left to their own devices, especially near water.
