There's nothing like a day at the seaside to make you feel that summer's here, but when my own children were babies, I struggled to get enthusiastic - the thought of carrying car loads of baby gear down to the beach, then trying to pacify hot, restless, crying babies with sand and grit everywhere was not particularly tempting!
But with a little organisation and thought, some of our best family outings were at the beach. The seaside environment is perfect for little babies - breathing in the salty air and having a little splash in the sea can help with everything from a stuffed up nose to eczema. And when they are sitting up or crawling, babies love to explore the new and different textures and sounds - dry and wet sand, seaweed, pebbles and rocks, the noise of the waves, seagulls and other children. Nature's playground! Here are our tips for having a relaxed, fun day with babies at the beach...
 |
| Sun Lotion by Green People |
Sun Protection:
Always make sure your child is protected from the sun. The reflection from the sand and water and the wind coming off the sea can be particularly dangerous, even if the sun isn't shining. We recommend Green People Sun Lotion - an organic lotion offering the maximum available sun protection from an organic sun care product - UVA and up UBV protection up to 96%. It is suitable for sensitive skin, and is also water resistant.
Sun hats are a must, too. If your baby enjoys a game of taking the hat off and throwing it away, as mine did, go for a hat with ties so you can be sure they are covered up. BabyBanz sunglasses and UV suits are also a great way of making sure your baby is protected, and they are getting more and more popular, especially for older babies and toddlers.
 |
| UV suits by Splashabout |
Shade:
Shade is a must, especially if you have a young baby. Beach umbrellas are fine and pop-up tents are perfect. Look for one that has UV protection and make sure there is enough room in there for you and the children, especially if you are breastfeeding.
Temperature:
In addition to keeping your baby shaded, help them to keep cool (or warm!) by removing or adding layers of clothing. If you can, select clothing that is made from natural fibres that allow the body to breathe. Make sure they have plenty to drink to avoid dehydration, and cooling off in the waves can help a lot - just watch out for the temperature of the sea! It may well be too cold to completely immerse your little one, so stick to dipping their hands and feet in the water if in doubt.
Food:
If you are exclusively breastfeeding, the only "gear" you need is yourself, although a lightweight muslin may be useful to protect your baby from the sun or wind. You may also need a beach chair or something to lean against to protect your back, as hunching over your baby as you nurse them get's really painful!
If your baby has bottles or babyfood, make sure you take extra. The fresh air can stimulate the most sluggish of appetites and you don't want to cut the day short because your little one is hungry. Check out in advance if the beach has a cafe that is happy to warm bottles - that can cut down on the amount of equipment you need.
Finally - toys!
Depending on their age, the beach environment may be stimulation enough, but the repetition of filling a bucket with sand can keep older babies happy for hours, so a simple bucket and spade is perfect. After all, you are at the seaside!
For more ideas about enjoying the summer with your little ones, visit our Summer Essentials pages at Borndirect.
 |
| Recycled Plastic Sand Set by Green Toys |
No comments:
Post a Comment