Extras
Baby swimming pool – doubles as a bath if you’re camping
->OR try this cool hack and repurpose a shower curtain liner as a flexible swimming pool!
Sand toys and a sand bag for easy storage – yogurt containers and large plastic spoons work great as well
Portable Beach chairs with cup-holders
Portable non perishable snacks – bananas are very bad travelers
Spray bottle for misting – or for squirt fights for older kids
Post-Beach change of clothes for everyone – bring extra diapers/clean underwear so nobody has a sandy tush for the ride home
Diaper rash ointments and powder – sometimes sitting in a wet swim diaper can trigger a rash
Water shoes – brands that PSP’ers like are Natives, Old Navy, Keens (fit wider feet) and Saltwater. Open toed shoes are recommended as longer lasting.
Beach Umbrella – bring something heavy or find a rock to hammer the base deep into the sand
Beach tent – these are great for baby naps so you can be hands-free. Check Amazon and IKEA (online) for a selection. Make sure that the tent has good ventilation (or it can be a mini-sauna) and that it can be safely staked down so it doesn’t blow away
**A Special note about sunscreen:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Skin Cancer Foundation, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) all recommend that you hold off on applying sunscreen until baby is 6 months old.
Sunscreen hasn't been tested on babies younger than this age, and it is simply not known whether it's harmful or helpful. But the AAP and the AAD add that if for some reason you can't keep your baby out of the sun or well-covered, then sunscreen should be applied.
However, the chemicals in sunscreens are likely to be absorbed more quickly through the skin and into the bloodstream in babies than in children or adults.
"They're a smaller package," explains Maribeth Chitkara, M.D., a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation and a pediatrician. "If you measure the area of their body surface and compare it to what they weigh, that ratio is much higher in a baby. This means they have a higher risk of absorbing more chemicals."
What's more, a baby's sensitive skin is more likely to react to the ingredients in sunscreens. Finally, experts agree that babies shouldn't be in direct sun long enough to need sunscreen in the first place.
