My daughter was born at the end of October and the one thing that kept me going though the confines of winter was anticipating that first season together at the beach. The upcoming summer would be the first (since college) and probably only (until retirement) that I’d have the luxury of spending in its entirety with my girl. So I wanted to enjoy it - a lot of it - with sand between my toes.
Visions of spring break disappeared quickly, though, once I began the task of balancing my desires with the needs and demands of an almost-on-the-go eight-month-old. My cheat? Finding gear that would make our lives a heck of lot easier.
Here’s what I learned that first summer - and the mistakes I made - so you don’t have to. Plus, the ten easy pieces that really make a difference (Don't forget safety this summer. Check out: Tips for a Safe Summer with Baby)
1. Top-of-the-Line Tent: At the shore, and anywhere you’re unlikely to find natural shade, don’t rely on a beach umbrella to keep out the sun. It can’t protect well against the reflected glare of sun on sand and its coverage is often limited. Instead, pitch a tent, which not only provides more complete protection from harmful rays but also lets your child roll and play. Look for one that’s UV treated, at least 45 SPF rated, has generous venting, and is stable enough to withstand wind gusts. And don’t be afraid to go big - at least 87W x 59D x 48H - so it’s roomy enough for you (and perhaps a second adult) to escape during intense sun hours. Many models now come with a one-touch mechanism for easy setup.
2. Sandals That Make Sense: Bare feet burn quickly. Regardless of whether your child’s taking his or her first steps, be sure they’re wearing a good pair of full-coverage, nonskid sandals that can handle mud, sand, dirt, and water. A molded foam construction works best for protecting against hot surfaces, stones, and sharp twigs.
3. Off-Road Stroller: If you’re going to spend some time outdoors this summer, you’ll need a second set of wheels that can handle pretty much any surface. This stroller will not only carry your precious cargo, but it has a second job as pack mule to haul everything else you need for a successful outdoor excursion. Look for an all-terrain model that’s lightweight (so it can navigate sand) and has aluminum and plastic parts to minimize rust damage from salt water. Important add-ons: Clip on beverage holders for long walks and a full-coverage sunshade.
4. Top-Notch Meal Tote: One’s thing’s for sure - an extra-sturdy, insulated lunch bag with many compartments - will bring you much joy. Choose carefully because nothing in your kit will work harder -keeping thirsty bottles, sippy cups, water, fresh fruit, applesauce, water, sandwiches, string cheese, purees, water … (you get the idea) - cold on 90-degree days. (Don’t forget the ice packs.)
5. Smart Beach Mat: Planning on cobbling together your old, skinny beach towels and still keeping the sand out of your lunch? Not the way to go. Spend a little extra dough on a roomy - at least 54” X 84” - cushioned beach mat that’s also PU-coated for water resistance.
6. To DEET or Not to DEET? Nasty jiggers can ruin the best-laid summer plans. DEET, or diethyl toluamide, the best chemical for repelling bugs, has been found to be non-toxic in children if used moderately (and only in babies over six months). Find a lotion that uses the lowest concentrations (10 to 30 percent). If you’re still wary of the repellant, go with a product that uses citronella, cinnamon, castor oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary, cedar, or peppermint. These ingredients are less effective because they don’t repel, only confuse an insect’s scent receptors by masking your baby’s natural orders. But they’re completely safe for children.
7. Lean and Mean Sunscreen: Applying sunblock - on you and your baby - should be second nature. However, what’s good for the goose is not always good for the goslings. For baby’s sensitive skin, look for an all-natural, water-resistant, PABA-free lotion with non-irritating ingredients (zinc oxide or titanium oxide), and an SPF of at least 15. Moisturizers, such as dimethicone, aloe vera, cocoa butter, lanolin, or glycerin, are a plus. Remember: Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors so it can absorb into the skin.
*Note: While slathering on sunscreen is essential, it’s not always easy or possible to cover every wiggling body part. Hence, the last three must-haves on the list…
8. Haute Hat: Choose one that’s wide brimmed with earflaps (all the rage). Dark colors provide the most scalp protection. Denim, a natural fabric (and fashionable), is a good choice if you can find it.
9. Full Coverage Rashguard: While bikini straps and ruffle-y bottoms offer the best Kodak moments, a rashguard (with SPF 50+) is a much more practical choice. It offers total protection in the form of a surfing shirt - material should cover baby’s neck, chest, and three-quarters of the arms—for safety, style, and function all in one.
10. Super Shades: Wraparounds with a neoprene band are your best shot at keeping sunglasses close to staying put. Lenses should be large and offer 100 percent UV protection. And busy designs keep baby interested.
You're all set to go, right? But wait! There's also this “Oh-So-Obvious-You-Might-Forget-It” Checklist:
-Swim diapers (bring more than one)
-Rubber pants (most pools require them)
-Water (for drinking and washing)
-Extra plastic bags (for all sorts of waste disposal)
-Wipes (lots of them)
-Baby floating seat with canopy (for pool)
-Jar of bubbles (amusement-only)
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