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Original poster

Would you/how do you take a baby to the beach?

24 replies

Beachbeachbleach · 22/07/2020 07:51

I'm probably being precious but how do people take babies to the beach? My DP keeps telling me I could go to the beach but I don't actually like the beach all that much and the thought of carting everything to the beach for a couple of hours fills me with dread. But particularly I cannot see how it is safe for a baby at the beach. Obviously I'd take a shade and suncream, hat and rash suit but it still seems a bit much to have a baby out in the sun. Am I being stupid?

OP posts:

cuntryclub · 22/07/2020 07:55

You don't like the beach so don't go. I never did. I can't stand being sticky and sandy and having to amuse a baby in an environment I don't feel comfortable in just was not necessary.

CherryPavlova · 22/07/2020 08:00

Nothing about the baby. Why would you go somewhere you didn’t like? Let him take the baby when it’s a bit older.
That said, ours went from a young age, year round. Swimming (briefly) in the sea from about six months. We like the sea though.

Original poster

Beachbeachbleach · 22/07/2020 08:09

I don't really have any intention on going by myself and the baby but he is pushing for a day or a holiday near the beach and I really hate the idea. I just can't see how spending the day exposed to the sun and wind can be safe for a baby. But I'm prepared to be told I'm being precious about it.

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Poetryinaction · 22/07/2020 08:11

You take a picnic blanket and your normal nappy bag. Nappies, wipes, nappy bags, sanitiser.
Suncream. Milk if needed. Take a cool bag if you like, with lunch in it. Just like gojng out anywhere for the day.
A sunsuit and hat so they don't burn.
Have a lovely time.

DinosApple · 22/07/2020 08:14

If you don't like it don't go. It's pointless when they are small babies (unless you have older DC) and I certainly wouldn't have bothered on my own.

If you do decide to go and are in the UK, get a sun suit. Keeps the sun off and keeps them warm! Use non sticky sunscreen. Take talcum powder (removes sand easily post beach visit). Plastic bags for wet clothes/dirty nappies/rubbish. Those hooded towels are great for toddlers upwards.

The beach only became fun from when the youngest could crawl. She used to eat sand and crawl through the shallow water.

tappitytaptap · 22/07/2020 08:14

What about one of the little pop up tents, we were at the beach at the weekend with my 10 month old niece and had one of those which worked well for wind, sun etc. I’m not a massive beach fan either but my little ones loved it (first time for DS2 aged 21 months and first time for 2 years for my 4 year old). I loved it too and we even had fish and chips on the sand which was fab!

Lockdownseperation · 22/07/2020 08:14

We live close to the beach so go often. If it’s a hot day we go after dinner for an hour.

MrsNoah2020 · 22/07/2020 08:16

How old is the baby? From about 6m, lots of them really enjoy the tactile sensations of having their feet dangled in the sea and eating playing with sand. But I'd only go for an hour or so, and not in the middle of the day if it's hot.

Have done it for longer when had older children to entertain too but, as you suggest, it's a military operation. You need a sunshade that completely shades the baby, which is fine when they are non-mobile, but a nightmare after that. I wouldn't take a baby to the beach for long stretches if I didn't have to.

It's nice to be near the sea, though. Can't you go, but not spend all your time on the beach?

CherryPavlova · 22/07/2020 08:18

Oh together.

We usually hired a beach hut or cabana. It depends on age of baby. In U.K. you’re not usually going to have to worry too much about the heat.... get a pop up tent if there is no beach hut hire. Pop to a cafe for lunch, go for a splash in the sea, walk along the promenade, build sandcastles and blow bubbles.
Little swimsuit, a cotton hat, cool loose clothes (or not) suncream or keep in shade.
Enjoy.

tappitytaptap · 22/07/2020 08:20

@DinosApple that was my niece’s favourite thing too - eating handfuls of sand 🙈

Soubriquet · 22/07/2020 08:21

This isn’t my photo but I think it’s a brilliant idea.

Its a fitted sheet that’s being used

Would you/how do you take a baby to the beach?

Soubriquet · 22/07/2020 08:22

You could even get a little paddling pool with sea water in it

TheMandalorian · 22/07/2020 08:25

One of those pop up shelters with a picnic blanket. Sun suit or even neoprene baby wetsuit. Sounds like hell if you don't enjoy the beach. My babies would have constantly tried to eat the sand and crawled off the blanket. Then got really cold within about half hour.
If dh fancies a trip to the beach send him on his own.
Much more fun when they are a bit older and can make sandcastles etc.

BakewellGin1 · 22/07/2020 08:33

DS is 17 months now and I've been taking him since lockdown started. Initially for a toddle about, splashed in puddles but actually going to the beach we just take
Normal Changing Bag
Suncream, Sunhat, Swim Nappies and Shorts, Old Tshirt
Towels
Bucket, Spade, Beach Toys

Then instead of a cool box I take one of the big Asda insulated bags (made for freezer goods) as I can bin this afterwards if its full of sand and take water, drinks, snacks etc

To be honest if I go alone with both DS I sometimes only take the one bag with a carrier inside with baby stuff added instead of taking a full change bag

We have a UV tent but DS never sits still so we only take it if we are staying more then a couple of hours as we spend our time paddling in puddles mainly

zigzagbetty · 22/07/2020 08:36

When dd was that age we used a beach tent and a small paddling pool. She had a rash suit and hat and we used to go either early morning or late afternoon to avoid the sun. I hate the beach too and am resigned to the fact I have to go now as she loves digging endless holes

FrugiFan · 22/07/2020 08:37

I took my 4 month old to the beach yesterday so her older sister can go in the sea.
It's no less safe at the beach than at a park or other outdoor venue. Take a pop up tent and put on a hat. There isnt that much stuff to cart around - change bag, picnic rug, tent. Choose a beach which has a car park near the sand rather than one where to have to walk a long way down.

namechange30000 · 22/07/2020 08:37

Towel, bucket, talc and a change of clothes. Baby can get covered in talc and wiped down to get the sand off easier when your on your way home

PETRONELLAS · 22/07/2020 08:40

I took a buggy. An actual buggy. And my baby was dressed in a nappy, vest, trousers and socks.
Was I even thinking straight?
Still haunted by the wails and the sand and The Buggy.

Original poster

Beachbeachbleach · 22/07/2020 08:42

Thank you all for the tips. I live near a stone beach so not at all comfortable to sit on. The local sand beaches are a nightmare! One road in and out and massive long queues. I do take him to the seafront and we walk along the promenade but have yet to venture into the sea as it is so cold. Maybe I'll do a recce with him for an hour or so and see how I get on. That way no need for too much stuff and can come home if we're I'm not enjoying it.

OP posts:

DianasLasso · 22/07/2020 08:44

When DS was a baby (crawling onwards stage) - rucksack for me with blanket, food towels etc, carrier bag with bucket and spade, child into pram, then off to bus stop/nearest station (I didn't have a car back then but we live near the coast). DS loved it. I didn't bother when he was teeny tiny - he wouldn't have got anything out of it and I'd just have felt stressed.

Key is to whittle it down to what you actually need (eg just go for the afternoon, then you don't need lunch so don't need a cool box) so you can carry it easily (even if you have a car you have to get the stuff into the beach).

ErrolTheDragon · 22/07/2020 08:45

I absolutely love beaches (grew up by the seaside) but tbh I don't think they're great for babies. A park or garden with grass and the option of shade from trees is likely to be more relaxing and not need so much paraphernalia.

I'd wait till they're old enough to play in the sand, enjoy rock pools and eventually go in the sea. (Bodyboarding - oh yes!) Sitting on a rug out in the sun doesn't sound like fun to me.

ErrolTheDragon · 22/07/2020 08:51

Key is to whittle it down to what you actually need

That's much easier when they're preschool age or older. I used to take DD to a beach - often the dog too - with everything we needed to have fun in (or hanging from) a rucksack.

optimisticpessimist01 · 22/07/2020 10:23

If you hate it, and DC is still a baby, why bother torturing yourself to go when baby won't remember it? Wait until they're a toddler and can appreciate it a bit more

maxdash · 22/07/2020 12:01

Babies love stone beaches - picking up the stones and sucking them, because they are really salty. It's a great sensory experience for them, splashing in the water and and all that. You don't really need much more than if you were going for a picnic in the park, and I'm assuming you would do that?

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