Tips for Vacationing at the Beach with Your Baby

Our family looks forward to vacationing on the beaches of Cape Hatteras every July. Last year was our first time with a baby and through trial and error, and a little luck, days on the beach with her were a fun time for all. However, if you attempt a beach vacation with a small child unprepared, it can be disastrous. Here are some tips that I would like to pass along to make your vacation with baby as stress-free as possible.

First, do not be in a hurry. In the days before baby, you may have been basking in the sun as soon as you could wake up and get out of the door. With a child, this is not possible as there are many more things to gather, prepare, and you have a child that is more than likely making getting out of the door a little more hectic, even if she isn't trying to complicate things. Take a deep breathe and relax, the sun and the sand will still be there an hour later than you originally planned.

Next, and this is one thing that will delay your leaving in a timely fashion, put sunscreen on your child (and yourself) before you even leave the house. I recommend standing your little one on the bed naked and apply ample amounts of sun block from head to toe before they even get a suit on. This ensures that you do not miss anywhere and that the block has time to be absorbed into the skin before exposed to the sun and sea. I have found that one of those face sticks that look like an over-sized Chapstick are wonderful for applying block to your little one's scalp in the parts of his/her hair. This is a very important place to NOT overlook and it's a lot less messy than trying to smear lotion into her hair.

Take a well-stocked beach bag or diaper bag!! Cotton balls can be used to put into your child's ears as the sounds of the waves can be frightening at first and the cotton lessens this effect. Baby powder is INVALUEABLE on the beach. Not only does it take care of extra moisture from salt water during a diaper change, but sprinkling it on your child's skin and lightly wiping with your hand or a towel will immediately remove any and all sand that is stuck to your child. Be sure to also bring extra sun block, towels and if your child will tolerate them, sunglasses. Swim diapers are essential if your little one will be in the water as regular diapers will just get ridiculously big and heavy. Just wait until you get to the beach to put one on as they do not absorb urine, they are only meant to contain solid waste, so do not use them for naptime either. Keep in mind that the sand will more than likely be too hot for your child's feet, so take along some sandals-I have found that Crocs sandals are perfect as the sand can be washed right off at the end of the day.

Once you have made it to the beach, be sure to offer lots of healthy snacks like fruit and lots of water or juice as the salt and sand can quickly lead to dehydration of a child. Also take along toys to keep your child's attention. I recommend buying some inexpensive beach toys that your child likes but is not attached to as the ocean and wind will sometimes wash unattended toys away and it's best that it's not one of your child's favorites.

If your child still naps as mine does, I would also recommend looking for a local equipment rental store and getting a play pen and cabana for the beach. These are usually very inexpensive and that way you do not have to take your own Pack n' Play onto the beach and expose it to all the sand. The cabana will provide much-needed shade and fit over most play pens for nap time. Just remember to be sure that the air flow is adequate as it gets very hot under a cabana if there is no breeze and that can be very uncomfortable and dangerous for your child. Even if you think that the airflow is okay, check in often to make sure that your child isn't sweating excessively while sleeping.

Lastly, remember that it takes a village. If possible, recruit the rest of your family to come with you. Taking a child to the beach is a real feat and really should not be undertaken alone. Not only will the extra eyes, hands and ears be helpful, they will be a godsend when you want to take a dip in the ocean that your child is terrified of. Having help also ensures that YOU enjoy your vacation as well. Have a great summer, everyone!