Taking A Newborn to the Beach (Tips & Gear)

The beach is a beautiful place to be for the family. If you’re lucky enough to have a cabin by the beach then you’re really blessed. But bringing your newborn can be overwhelming with a lot of things to consider – essentials, logistics, and the location.

Is it safe to take a newborn to the beach? The answer is yes; you can bring your new baby with you on your trip. It can be a memorable experience for you and your baby.

If you are planning on hitting the beach with your newest addition to the family, first, you need to determine if your baby is ready to go with you. The baby should be prepared to be out in the sun and explore his or her new environment. It can be overwhelming for them with new faces and new surroundings.

The sight and the sound of the surf and the heat may be too much for the babies, and they tend to be fuzzy. You, too, may also be apprehensive about bringing them to the beach for safety reasons. You don’t have to worry because we have all the answers to your questions about bringing your newborn to the beach here. This article will help you get ready for your next beach trip with your baby.

Beach Trip With Your Newborn: Is it safe?

Having a newborn is great; however, it does bring many adjustments and challenges, just like what happened to your sleep. You can also forego the spontaneous trips you love to take, like going to the beach because of your plus one. Trips are now carefully planned because this little human has a lot of stuff to bring.

Before moving on to the logistics of your much-awaited trip to the beach, let us answer the hanging question first: Is it safe to bring the newborn to the beach?

Yes, of course. Bringing babies to the beach has lots of benefits. It is a perfect opportunity to introduce your baby to a new environment when you bring him or her to the beach. It is healthy for them because they can get as much Vitamin D as they can when you place them outside, away from the direct sunlight. Newborns need the morning sun for about ten to fifteen minutes every day.

However, you should be careful not to put them in direct sunlight as the sun and heat can have harmful effects. Babies under six months should never be placed directly under the sun, or they can get a sunburn, that’s according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The reason is infants have not fully developed yet the ability to regulate their body temperature like grownups does. Prolonged exposure may lead to heat stress, and it is a health concern.

Because of their precarious nature, a trip to the beach with your newborn needs careful planning and preparation. With a properly planned outing, you can relax and take this opportunity for your family to bond, especially now that there is an additional member.

To make your trip to the beach with your baby as hassle-free as possible, here are things that you should keep in mind:

  • Choose the perfect spot on the beach that is not crowded and with enough distance from the edge of the water. It’s hard to move all your stuff, including your baby’s, when the tide gets high.
  • Make sure you have enough towels and blankets for the baby to sit or lie on.
  • Line the sun tent with towels to dissipate the heat. It can get too hot for the baby if there is no insulation.
  • Create barriers around your camp area if you have a crawling baby. It will prevent him or her from wandering away from you.
  • Be careful with small stones, sand, and shells. Make sure they are out of your baby’s grasp, or they will put them on their mouth.

Factors to Consider When Taking Your Baby to The Beach

Taking babies to the beach requires careful planning. And on top of that, you also need to consider a lot of factors. Here are the considerations you need to sort out before taking your newborn to the beach:

Age of Your Baby

There are no official water safety programs for kids under the age of one. And we cannot deny the fact that there are many unforeseen dangers at the beach like jellyfish stings we cannot be too complacent. The decision to take newborn babies to the beach depends on the parents. Instinct and a question to your doctor will help you make this decision.

Remember, infants have a weaker immune system compared with your older kids. You should ask your doctor if your baby is healthy enough to bring him or her to the beach. The main idea is you need to make sure that your baby has a robust immune system and is fit for this outing.

Direct Sunlight

Even an average adult can have sunburn when they are exposed to direct sunlight for 20 minutes, depending on the elevation and time of the year. For babies, even more so, because their skin is not as developed as adults. They also tend to burn up fast because they have an inadequate amount of melanin, the pigment which protects the skin from the sun. As a general rule, you should keep them in the shade when at the beach at all times.

Reflective Light

Keeping your baby under the tent does not assure you that your baby is protected from the rays of the sun. There is reflective light or the indirect sunlight that is reflected by the water or the sand to consider. It can also damage your babies’ skin. The same as why skiers can get sunburned even if they are in the snow. It is due to the reflection of the sun on the snow.

Time of the Year

Another essential factor to consider is the time of the year. The sun is closer to the equator during midsummer. What does it mean? It can cause more potential damage to the skin. Aside from the intensity of the sun, the temperature is also at the extreme, and that is not good for the baby. If you want to bring your newborn to the beach, try going in the early or late summer. The temperature should be milder at these times.

Heat Index

The heat index indicates whether the temperature and humidity are at a comfortable level. You can find this data online for most beaches in the USA. It is essential to know the heat index because the comfort level of babies is not as strong as that of an adult. Going to the beach in the morning and late afternoon is highly recommended because the UV radiation is not so intense, and the temperature tends to be cooler.

Humidity

When there’s high humidity, a 90 degrees temperature would feel like it’s 110 degrees. On the West Coast, it’s called dry heat. The heat is not as intense when there is low humidity, but it can still cause sunburn. Even if your baby is wrapped in a blanket to prevent sunburn, you have to make sure that they are at a comfortable temperature. Again, it’s because they cannot fully regulate their body temperature yet.

Feeding

Babies are constantly feeding, and when you are bringing them to the beach, you have to choose the mode of feeding and the necessities. Make sure that there is a comfortable spot to feed on. The best solution is to bring a baby tent so that you and your baby will be out of sight when feeding.

Changing

Babies and diapers go together, just like feeding. The beach may not have the luxury of a changing station, and the trash can be hard to find. Bring extra diapers and plastic bags for your trash. With complete changing paraphernalia, you can change your baby anywhere.

Shade

Much has been said about not putting your baby under direct sunlight because your baby’s safety should be your number one concern. Bring your shade with a tent or beach umbrella. You can find many options for beach tents for babies and families. Make sure you bring one to set up camp for your beach outing conveniently.

Activities at the Beach

You better decide whether you are going to bring the baby in the water or not. If so, will you need a floater and bathing suit? You should also be careful of the kids playing around, the currents, wave, and tide. Also, practice extreme caution while in the water with your baby.

Taking your newborn to the water is another concern. It should part of the question you should ask your medical professional. But a little bit of saltwater will not be harmful to your baby, and it will not be a problem. It can be a new experience for the baby to feel the tide as it ebbs and flows.

However, you should take the necessary precautions. Check the water temperature; it should not be too cold or too hot. Look out for the seaweed, rocks, and jellyfish before lowering the baby in the water. Jellyfish stings can have more reactions to babies than on adults. The baby might also be afraid of the ocean, so introduce him or her to the sea slowly.

If you don’t want to bring your baby in the water, fill a bucket with water, or bring an inflatable pool for your baby to play on. It will keep them entertained and safe from the waves.

When Can You Take Your Baby to the Beach

Your baby’s skin is very delicate. It needs protection at all times. As mentioned, it can get a sunburn even if under they are away from the sun or there is no sun at all. Always keep your baby under a tent, especially when they are under six months old. If they are older than six months, make sure to keep them out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm.

It is also necessary to dress your baby appropriately when bringing them to the beach. Bring cotton clothes because these are comfortable and cover their arms and legs. There are UV swimwear and a wide-brimmed hat that you can buy. It provides appropriate shade for their neck and face. You can also grab sunglasses that will protect their eyes from the sun and sand.

Essential Newborn Beach Gears

When bringing newborn to the beach, you have to plan the beach gear that you’ll need properly. For a headache-free trip, bring all the necessary newborn beach gears because you need your baby to be as comfortable as possible. Going to the beach with your newborn is not easy, but it will be worth it all the preparation.

With serious planning and packing all the essentials, your little one will be happy and safe at the beach. Here are the baby beach gears that you need to bring for your beach trip with your newborn.

#1 Baby Sunscreen

Sunscreen is essential when going out in the sun. However, some doctors don’t recommend for babies under six months to use sunscreen. The reason is due to the chemical components of these sunscreens that can harm your baby’s skin. This is why you should take sun protection seriously for your babies – coverups, hats, and all.

There are new and improve sunscreens that are not chemical-based you can buy, or you could look for the natural options that will not cause reactions and irritations. You would not want your newborn to feel uncomfortable right from the start.

I recommend Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen, you can find it on Amazon by clicking here. This is my preferred baby sunscreen as it is free of biologically harmful chemicals and absorbs easily without leaving an oily mess.

#2 Beach Tent for Babies

If you are going to spend a full day or more at the beach with your baby, then don’t forget to bring a beach tent specially designed for little tots. It provides the needed shade so your baby can spend time outdoors but not directly under the sun.

There are plenty of beach baby tents available, and it comes in different sizes. The best size would be large enough to fit an adult and the baby. It will also be convenient to choose those pop-up tents that open on its own.

Aside from being a shelter, the baby tent can also serve as your changing, feeding, and storage space for your valuable. It can give a little privacy to you and your baby too.

Check out this super cute baby beach tent that I found on Amazon.

#3 Baby Beach Hat

Another sun protection that your newborn will need during his beach outing is the hat. It works both ways, as protection and style. When choosing a beach hat for your baby, it should cover the face, the neck, and of course, the head. The hat should be made of lightweight material and something like a tie to keep it in place.

Choose hat and beachwear that are in darker colors because they can do a better job when UV protection is concerned. It may seem odd for you because dark colors tend to absorb more heat and can get hot, but believe us when we say so.

Protect your little loved one with their own baby beach hat. You can find them anywhere but I found one I really like the design of. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

#4 Baby Swim Suits

Aside from dressing your newborn in an appropriate beach outfit, it actually makes sense dressing the baby in swimwear. Rashies can provide extra protection from the sun while at the beach as your baby’s skin is still sensitive. Coverups can also prevent sunburn and rashes from the sand. Choose a swimwear with 30+ and higher UPF rating and make sure that it has long sleeves to cover the arms.

#5 Baby Sunglasses

Many particular brands sell sunglasses for babies. They come with adjustable straps and carrying case. It is not only fashionable, but it is a necessity because you have to protect your babies’ eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.

#6 Beach Blanket

You should include a good travel blanket when hitting the beach with your baby. It will keep the sand at bay and will be very useful for your baby to lay or crawl on without getting the sand on their suit. Choose the one that is water-resistant and machine-washable.

#7 Beach Toys

Beach toys can provide entertainment for your little ones and distract them from putting sand, shells, and pebbles on their mouths. For crawling babies, they will love to play with these toys. Choose toys that are easy to clean and wash. There are plenty of sand toys around, but for your babies, the size should enough for them to handle.

Also, choose beach toys that are made with BPA-free materials. They are safe and will enable your baby to have fun in their shapes and colors.

Conclusion

Bringing your newborn to the beach is hard, but it is possible if you have the right gear for your newborn. Before planning on your beach outing, consult the baby’s doctors first for your concerns and advice on how you can protect your baby from the sun and heat.

You can include in your questions the appropriate sunscreen and skin protection if they are against using sunscreen. Always remember that safety should always come first. Aside from sunscreen, you should also ensure that you have the right clothes for your baby and the toys to keep them entertained. Follow our tips and advice, and your beach outing will be a memorable one.

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My name is Eugene Thornhill. I'm an outdoor enthusiast who loves nothing more than being one with nature. I've lived in numerous outdoor homes and even constructed my own. Living off-grid is something I'm very familiar with, more so than living in the city. For many years I've dealt with the many problems of living off-grid. It's time to pass on my knowledge through Cabinguides.

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