Bringing baby to the beach??

Question

We are planning on taking a beach trip at the end of October, by that time our son will be a little over 5 months old. For people who have taken a baby that age to the beach, what would you suggest I would need to buy/bring with us? I got him a pool float with a cover over it, and he already has good neck control and always holds his head up, would you suggest letting him try it out even though it says 6 months and up? Also, what do you think about letting him get in the ocean water? Thanks!

Answer 1

The end of october might be to cold for him.  Get a kiddie backpack or let him crawl in the sand.  hold him when you're in the water and dip his feet in.  My first beach experience was at 1 week.  I've seen pictures and my mom is just sunning with me on the blanket next to her.

make sure to bring sunscreen and baby sunglasses!

http://www.safe-tots.com/cgi-bin/shopper...

Answer 2

i think u shouldnt bring him that close to water probably between the sand and water. end of october is cold so baby might get sick  

Answer 3

no ocean water it's too strong for the baby's skin and eyes and nose. don't use the float either... wait till next year for that stuff... just remember the highest sun block and don't expose your baby to the sun provide a shady spot and a big blanket were he can stay either lying down or on a bouncer

Answer 4

Make sure to keep him out of the sun.  Sunscreens have a lot of harsh chemicals (even the ones formulated for kids).  Bring a beach umbrella.  He shouldn't be crawling by that time, so you should be able to keep him out of the sun.  If you take him over to the water and put his feet in, I'm sure it would be fine.  However, don't go in the water while holding the baby.  There are just too many variables that could be out of your control.  A pool - yes.  But, the ocean - no way.  Have fun!

Answer 5

Don't do it. Stay home or get a baby sitter

Answer 6

Well if you put him in the ocean....

You're going to have to watch him so close, it's going to be almost impossible to look away because of the simple fact that if he swallows that ocean water he can get very sick.

Also, I think babies that little can get bladder infections from the bacteria and the salt in the ocean. So those are some things you may want to think about.

Good luck :)

Answer 7

You'll have a blast at the beach. You are his mom, you'll know what he is capable of doing and not doing. As long as he has shade, extra liquids-it it is real hot- a big sun hat, and some warm clothes too. They get so cold easily-ecspecially after being wet. The age guidelines on toys and childrens item, are just that--guidelines. Every little bambino is different.

My dauther was in the ocean at 4 and half month. We just rinsed her after, since the salt water can be a little drying. Everything will be fine. Just enjoy the day!

Answer 8

i suggest tons of sunscreen spf of 70 plus and sun canopy they have one at babies r us it keeps baby safe from the sun and it has spf in it it cost about 40 bucks also i don't see a problem with dipping baby in the water just remember to by swimmers its water diapers for baby i would just not leave baby in the water long you can tell by the baby's reaction if he will like it or not and of course if baby is shivering take him out of the water

Answer 9

I took my daughter to the beach when she was 7 months, but at the time she only weighed 12 pounds, and her raft said for 6 months and up she did fine although she wasn't quite big enough yet. So I think if you baby is bigger than 12 lbs.you should be fine using the raft. I tried to show my daughter the ocean and she didn't like it all she thought the waves were scary she would cry when they got to close to her toes.

Answer 10

The thing I would worry about most is my baby getting too much sun.  Most sun screens that are baby-safe are usually intended for those who are at least 6 months old.  I'd ask your pediatrician if he/she thought it was safe.

The pool float might be ok as long as you're right there with him (though, I'm putting $10 that he cries from the cold pool water - at least for a little while).  I'd avoid the ocean unless you mean to just let the waves wash over his little feet.

Have fun!

Answer 11

I recently took my 3mo old and it was such a pain. Mainly because I have 3 other children as well. October might not be so bad though. It was too hot for her in Aug. We had a tent and I had a little thing that zips up and we called it all the "baby cooker", the poor thing was sweating so much that my husband had to bring her up to me in the condo. Your son is older though, so I think he'll be fine. He should be fine in the floaty. Obviously, keep a good eye on him. I don't know about the ocean water. I think I'd be more concerned about the sand and him wiping his eyes with sand on his hands.

Answer 12

I would definitely take a blanket for him to sit on and a beach umbrella.  Of course a lot of sun screen and water diapers.  As far as the floaty thing, the age suggestion usually goes by about how much a 6 month old would weigh.  If he is big for his age he should be okay but you have to stay right there with him all the time because babies flip out of them all the time.  I would also bring a lot of toys to keep him occupied because he might not want to be in the water the whole time and you wont want to cut your trip short due to a bored baby.  Have fun!

Answer 13

Ocean water will not hurt your baby at 5 months (unless of course he ingests a bunch of it).  I live 10 minutes from the beach and both our boys have gone since they were about 5 months (and yes, I got the advice of my pediatrician).  Make sure you have a BIG umbrella and blanket  for him and sunscreen formulated for babies (we like Coppertone).  The pool float should be ok as long as it's not too big for him.  He will probably prefer being held though.  Just make sure to bring a hat too, even though the float has a cover.

We brought a pack and play with a bunch of toys to keep our son occupied.  Our youngest was very overwhelmed the first time we went to the beach.  The most important thing to remember is there is a lot to drag with you to the beach with a baby and it will very likely be a short trip.  Patience is the key and be prepared to pack up and leave as quickly as you get there!

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 14

i think playing in the water would be fine, but i don't recommend floaties in the ocean.  my kids had the inner tubes just at the lake and they kept floating out to far, we ended up putting them in the car and not letting the kids use them.

Answer 15

And also remember that sun reflects off the sand and babies can get a burn even being under an umbrella. Make sure they are in DEEP SHADE. And get a swimsuit that has the UPF/SPF in it to help protect from sun, plus a hat. They are cute and look like little surfer outfits. And this time of year you can probably get it on sale!

The ocean and pool water are fine, but I'd agree the pool might be a little safer for anything except dunking the feet. Have fun! wish I was off to the beach with my little one.  

Answer 16

sounds good to me :) dont forget the little guy's immunity is still very very weak until about 6 months (that might cause some caution in my mind) dont ever let him go more then a hands reach away.

MAKE SURE you do NOT apply sunscreen and bug repellent at the same time.. the sunscreen causes the skin to absorb the deet and other repellents which causes poisoning.  

Answer 17

Be careful. Babies under 1 year should not be taken out in the direct sunlight, as it can be extremely dangerous to their skin. make sure he's well protected from the sun. Be near him at all times in the water. I suggest one of those floaties that babies can but they're legs through; my little cousin (two) seems to enjoy that quite a bit. Hope you have fun on your outing!  

Answer 18

no i wuldnt he is too young still to be in that much sun and around too many ppl he could get sick

Answer 19

I just brought my 7 month old daughter to the beach.  I SLATHERED her with Huggies Baby Sunblock...worked really well.  Not a single change in her skin color, but I didn't have her out in direct sun for very long.  We dipped her feet in the ocean.  She seemed fascinated and scared at the same time, then we got concerned about the under toe, and decided to step away.  Bring an umbrella while you're on the beach for extra protection....and maybe a pair of baby sunglasses ro protect from sun & sand.

I don't know if it's a good idea to have your son in a pool.  Even if it's an indoor heated pool, it's still too cold for baby.  If it's not the temperature you would give him a bath in, I wouldn't suggest it.  Poor baby will be so cold.  Just dip his feet in the pool and let him kick and splash for a minute, but any longer than that I feel is too long.

Answer 20

No ocean water.  It will burn he eyes and nose.  I would take a playpen with a cover or big umbrella.  I would keep him out of the sand.  Sand will burn his eyes.

Answer 21

I don't have a baby (yet) but I do live right on the beach.  Shade is key for lasting any time on the beach with babies.  Some parents bring portable kids tents.  We have used our larger beach pavilion for our friends with kids.  When nap time comes, they can just fall asleep in the shade on a blanket.

This is a great time of year to pick one up, they should be on clearance at the sports and outdoor stores, but don't wait too much longer.  

Letting the baby into the ocean is up to your  comfort level, I think you would probably have to hold onto him with all of the waves coming in. (Depending on where you are going to the ocean) - my husband has had to hold onto my cousins who were as old as two to keep them from falling.    

Answer 22

How warm will the water be where you are going? Even if it's swimming pool warm, he will still get cold much more quickly than an adult would.

I would try him out with the float in a pool first.

The ocean water will be fine, provided you don't let him swallow lots of it and it's a safe non-polluted place.  

Answer 23

Oooh NO ocean water, it will burn him! Then he'll probably stick his hands in his mouth or something and that's too nasty and germ-y. Try a baby pen and like the other answer said, put umbrella on top to block the sun. They're to young to be exposed to such annoying nasty things like sea water and sand!