Pop-up Sun Protection Tents

[Lisaj]

We are going abroad soon, which will be our first trip abroad with our son, who is nearly two. A friend mentioned buying a pop-up sun protection tent for use on the beach. I was wondering if they are worth buying or whether it will be a waste of time for a two-year-old? Has anybody used one/got any views on them please.

Lisaj
I took a 20mth old to Italy last August (no choice to go at a cooler time as it was to attend a wedding) and it was very hot. We borrowed a pop-up shelter from friends and it was very useful and also got the Brit. family noticed in a big way! No doubt all along the Italian coast this year you will see them. However, the best piece of advice I can give you is go indoors between 11 and 2-3 o'clock as active kids don't want to sit in a shelter all the time and that is when it is the hottest. It's also a good excuse for everyone to have a bit of a snooze.

We used one when my daughter was under a year - ie not moving far and it was great - also very useful for breastfeeding on the beach; but i would have thought you would have a hard time keeping your two year old inside it for long.

I would like similar views/recommendations, but for a 5 month old baby - we are off to Barbados in 4 weeks time and am paranoid about sun protection for my baby - any tips most welcome.

We had a tent when our daughter was tiny and it was fab, especially for naps and feeding and actually even just playing (and a windbreak when in the UK!). Since she's been mobile though it's been less useful. We bought a couple of UV suits (great little trading company do them and mumsnet members get 10% off!)-. She looks like something from the early 1900's, and gets lots of bemused looks from the Italians/Spanish who let their kids run round naked with no apparent sun protection - but she seems quite happy. We slap cream underneath sometimes as well. Other tip is to buy a size too big so they're long in the arm and leg, add a floppy hat or cap with neck cover and then they can potter about forever. Watch out - some suits are more protective than others you can get them 100% safe. We have one mostly cotton one (about 85% I think), which is comfier than lycra when dry, but heavy when wet, and a lycra one too(100%) I can't recommend them highly enough.

Enjoy!

Boots also sell the UV suits and caps, or, they used to last time I looked, I've seen them somewhere more recently but can't think of it at the moment.

Sjs - put loads of factor 50 cream on before you get her dressed in the morning then you know all bits are covered and then get a high SPF level spray-on sun cream to keep topping it up all day.

We bought a pop up tent for our recent holiday, just for when we were on the beach. It popped up and was instantly in place, then it came to putting it back in its little carry bag. My sister and myself tried all ways and couldnt work it out, so with tent half way in its bag a walked to the waters edge where my husband was surfing for him to come in and fold it. He couldnt remember how to do it either so it spent all week half way in its bag with us feeling proud we had got it in that far. Then on the last day we did it, folded it all the way into its little bag. Wonder if there is any chance of folding it again. Great for sitting on the beach in though.