Heading to the Beach with the Kids: What to Bring

This Fourth of July will be the second trip to the beach for our son. The first time we walked him up to the ocean's edge he wasn't too thrilled. I am sure the ice cold water had something to do with it, after all it was Memorial Day and the water hadn't had a chance to warm up yet. I used to think just packing my own belongings for a weekend at the beach was a big production. What with different clothes for by the water, hanging out at the beach house, out to dinner and hitting the beach bars - my suitcase was bursting at the seams. Packing for baby is a whole different animal!

To start off, if you plan to take your baby into the water whether it is the ocean or the pool, make sure you get swim diapers. If your baby wears regular disposable diapers into any kind of water, your cute little sea sweetie will soon look like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. On the flip side, wait until baby is actually about to go in the water. Swim diapers do not absorb any kind of liquid, they are meant to keep solid matter in the diaper and that's all. So keep a regular diaper on for the stroller ride or you might get a splash before there's any body of water in sight!

Don't forget the sunscreen. Most doctor's recommend at least SPF 45 for babies and if you're not using a formula designed specifically for kids, check to see that it is PABA-free. It is important to make sure you cover every inch of the body that will be exposed to the sun. Common parts of the body that are missed are tops of feet, ears, and scalp. Unless your baby has a full head of hair, rub some of that sunscreen in. If your child spends a lot of time in the water, it is a good idea to reapply regularly since even the waterproof formulas tend to wear away after some time. Sunburn is not only painful, but dangerous. A hat and/or umbrella offers added protection against the sun's rays. Plus, hats are cute too, so there's an added bonus for pictures later. Ask your pediatrician if you have further questions.

While not completely necessary, a kiddie cabana can be great for families that spend most of their day at the beach. These offer total shade while napping. One Step Ahead has some good ones. Before purchasing one though, try to find out how much assembly is required. Memorial Day weekend it was really windy on the beach in Rehoboth and our cabana required a lot of assembly and was made out of what resembled kite material. Let's just say that we won the wrestling match with the cabana, but not without providing entertainment for several people looking on.

Toys!!! Who doesn't fondly remember building sand castles and using a pail and shovel to bury Dad in the sand? There are so many toys out there to choose from, that it really depends on the child's taste. I recommend purchasing these toys before you make the trip to the beach. They tend to be a lot more expensive once you get to your destination and if you're like my family, you end up losing one or two items before the week(or weekend) is over.

Other items that are good idea to bring depending on your situation include a pack n' play for the younger set, juice boxes for theach (don't litter the beach), and lots of snacks.

One final note, if you have a baby or toddler, chances are they are going to eat sand. In fact, by the time you are done, sand is all you might see when you look at them. A little sand never hurt anyone, just make sure to try and remove as much as you can in the bath later. Sand can irritate the skin if left for a long time.

Have fun and be safe!