When our daughter was 8 weeks old, we went on a family vacation to MEXICO! Not only were we taking our newborn baby to the beach, we were taking her out of the country. I was terrified, but knew we could do it! I did my research because I knew we would be out of the country and things would be a little bit harder to find if we realized we needed something but had forgotten it.
The beach can be a really intimidating place to take your fragile newborn, but I promise it’s worth it! We made the best family memories and it was so peaceful. Hoping this will be a helpful resource for you planning your trip to the beach with your newborn! Here’s a list of all the tips and tricks I learned taking my newborn to the beach!
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1. upf 50+ swimsuits
I guess I just never really thought about it, but your skin can indeed get sunburned through clothing! So we stocked up on some long/short sleeve sun protecting outfits for our sweet girl. UPF 50+ Sun Protection Suit and UV SKINZ UPF 50+ Baby Hooded Sunzie are my favorite! This was an absolute lifesaver because when you’re on a beach vacation, it feels like you’re constantly in the sun! No matter how hard we tried, by the end of the trip, her skin was a little pink. I wish I would have kept these outfits on her at all times (except for when she was sleeping, obviously).
2. sunscreen & applicator
Our all time favorite nontoxic infant sunscreen is Think Baby and Blue Lizard! Putting sunscreen lotion on a baby has got to be one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done -not to be dramatic or anything…
But seriously, their skin is so soft and delicate, and you don’t want to get any in their eyes or mouth and you know if they touch it, they’ll put their hands in their mouth immediately. This Solar Buddies Sunscreen applicator was a lifesaver and really helped us apply sunscreen evenly and efficiently!
3. portable fan
I always say a hot baby is a fussy baby!! Our portable fan was a lifesaver, keeping our sweet girl cool and calm the whole vacation! We took this thing everywhere with us, not just to the beach! Restaurants, taxi rides, airport, and everywhere in between! We got this Portable Fan that can attach to essentially any surface and it’s kind of amazing. 100/10 recommend!
4. shaded area
SHADE! Regardless of what you choose, you’ll need an area of shade! We loved having a canopy for days we knew we’d spend the majority of our time at the beach. If we were planning a half day or quick trip, we opted for an umbrella or pop up tent! Having shade and keeping your babe out of direct sunlight is key! It honestly can make or break your beach day because the sun can be super harsh. I’ll list some of my favorite beach gear to give you some shade:
AMMSUN Beach Umbrella with sand anchor
5. Sandproof beach mat
This is something that I would say is definitely not essential but will make your life so much easier. Sand is inevitable at the beach but it sure is nice to have a sand free spot to change a diaper or lay baby down for a nap! I love this Wekapo Beach Blanket that is quick drying, durable, and lightweight!
6. Sand remover bag
When I first saw this product, I have to be honest I thought it was a scam and did not think it would be worth the money. But I was desperate to find something to help us keep the sand off our baby. Let me tell you, this thing is no joke!! It literally wipes the sand right off of your skin and is mess free! This was extremely helpful after a long beach day when trying to get everyone clean, dressed, and dry clothes to get back in the car! Nobody likes the feeling of putting clothes on wet sandy skin, especially not on a baby! The Sand Remover Bag is definitely worth the investment if you plan to spend a few days down at the beach with your newborn!
7. Lounger or playpen
Lastly, I would highly recommend bringing some sort of baby gear that you can set your sweet babe down on. At some point throughout the day, you’re going to need your hands-free, and you’re going to want a clean, comfortable, and safe spot to lay your baby down! Some days we took our stroller down to the beach and let her sit in the stroller and it was amazing, other days we took our portable baby lounger. You’ve got to find something that works for you, but you’ll definitely want something to lay them down in and keep them content. I also love these little portable play pins that are super compact and easy to assemble!
Taking your Newborn to the Beach
It may not always be easy, but these memories are so worth it. You’ll never regret spending time with your family, and taking the trips! You and your baby were made for this, it’s instinctually inside you, but hopefully these tips will help take a mental load off the planning. Remember, if you have to wipe butts & noses, might as well do it at the beach!
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