Tips for a trip to the beach with 9 mo old?

[~*Nicole*~]

Hi Ladies,

I am going to the shore this weekend with some coworkers. I am bringing DD and I am sure we will be taking a couple of trips down to sit on the beach, etc. Just wondering if anyone has any tips/suggestions for how to keep DD semi-confined when she is in mobile exploration mode?! I don't want to lug the big ol' pack n' play, especially b/c she'll be sleeping in that at night and I don't want it to be all sandy and have to clean it afterwards before she can go to bed!

Any other beach tips would be appreciated as well. It never fails, on these types of outings I tend to forget at least one important thing!

[LucySol]

im eagerly waiting replies on this one! We are off to spain on thurs and i have a v.mobile and spirited 11 month dd!! im dreading it!!

[SylvieA]

I'll be waiting for replies to. We have nice beaches close by and would love to go a few times this summer.

[ckcole]

haha me too! Luckily, DH has a lot of energy so he can run around chasing DS.  I'm definitely bringing a life jacket that will stay on him permanently.  

[mini me]

Well my IRL friend has a 9.5mth old and when they go to the beach she takes a big square rug and just lets her crawl across it - she obviously wants to explore the edges rather than what's been given to her to play with So it's just a matter of placing her in the middle, letting her crawl to the edge and leave her to pick up sand/stones etc, maybe try a few (tastewise) I don't think this is an option with a 9mth old teether!! and then just pop her back in the middle again and start from scratch!! She did say, that the bigger the blanket the longer she gets between having to be up and down to her DD all the time!! She also has a small swim-ring (with holes for the legs) but this is only good after the LO has got used to the water a bit (too scary otherwise for LO and they need to be close to you. cuddling in the beginning), and of course never left on her own at all!! So not much info, except enjoy the experience and don't fret too much - a little real sand with their food is normal!!  Oh yeah, a big beach umbrella and a sun hat and tons of sunblock is a must! - got another friend who uses a small beach tent for LO to snooze in - it zips up so no little creepy crawlies can go in.

[3babies]

We spend a lot of time at the beach and have just accepted that sand will be eaten (but won't cause any major harm ).

A huge rubber ring for LO to sit in / climb in and out of on the sand is great for crawlers. Keeps them going for ages. Loads of plastic toys too. The big blanket idea is a good one to set boundaries.

I don't put sunscreen on their foreheads - just a hat (one that ties under the chin so can't be removed)- because when they sweat and the cream runs in their eyes it's a disaster   But factor 50 everywhere else

Baby powder is not something I ever use at home but it's great at the beach for removing the sand-on-sunscreen mess that LO will be covered in

HTH

[~inbalance~]

Just a thought - I just picked up an inflatable wading pool for DS, and maybe that would be a good idea!  You don't even have to put water in it, but it was an edge around it and even though he could easily crawl out of it, it sort of keeps him in one spot easily.  You could fill it with toys, sand or even water.  Plus, since it's inflatable it's easy to pack (just have to bring a small pump with you).  I got mine at walmart for $15 but saw the same one for the same price at toys r us too.  An added bonus, it has a build in shade canopy!

[Isabellasmummy]

My friend just came back from greece, her lo is all over the place and if he wants it has to have it type of baby.

She used the pop up UV tent and  also the "shade a babe" for the pram so he could sleep in the pram or chill out and not get burnt briliant product.

Martina idea about the paddling pool is also good, we got ours from argos and not to big or expensive so you could take it with you and blow it up by mouth about £4.79

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3650062/Trail/searchtext%3ECHILDRENS+POOL.htm
Just go and enjoy yourself- you have your dh there to help you let him chase her while you try to relax you deserve it and have a wonderful first holiday. x

Plus she may pleasantly surprise you and be an angel all holiday - good luck

[bennysmama]

Another vote for a paddling/wading pool.... It doesn't keep DS confined, but it DOES slow him down a bit

ASDA do a little one - approx 2 metre diameter - for about £2.50, plus a matching inflatable ball (a HUGE hit with DS!!) for, I think, another £1.   

Lol at the crawling-to-the-edge-of-the-blanket to examine.  EXACTLY the same thing happened to us! 

Also useful:  parasol, sunscreen, Large bottle of tap water to rinse off sand from little feet and hands and extra drinking water.    A deckchair or sunchair is handy for eating and nappy changes. 

xxx     

[~*Nicole*~]

These are all brilliant ideas! I love the idea of a tent but am not sure how much one would be. After I posted this morning I thought of the inflatable pool as well and I think I will go to walmart and purchase one of those and a hand pump thing. I will have the stroller which should be helpful especially to keep her still for feeding.....glad someone mentioned a BIG thing of water for rinsing!
 I do have a hat somewhere that snaps under the chin but I have to find it. DD pulls off her hats the moment I put them on so I hope she will give in to that type.

I will try my best to relax and have fun. I do hope she won't be too fearful of the water, although it may be very cold still. I will take her at least to feel it with her toes.

Thanks everyone....the fact that sand will be eaten and not cause any harm makes me feel much better!

[*claudia*]

Hi Nicole !

Be sure sand does no harm (LOL), we live in front of the beach and DS loves it, always eats some sand and drinks some sea water too, no problem at all 

What I did when we started taking him to the beach was to take an inflatable pool and lots of toys, then I would go with him near the sea while DH picked the water from the sea to fill the pool, so he would see where the water came from. Only after he was totaly confortable with the pool we started taking him to feel the ocean. In our case we do everything very slowly cause DS is quite touchy and can easily get scared with anything and in the begining he was very scared of the waves.

I always take some blocks to play making sand forms, fruits are also very much fun, with no concerns of trying to keep him clean.

Just remember that her As will probably be slightly shorter then usual, b/c of the sun and exercise. My Lo always takes long naps when we go to the beach, it's really tiring for them. Lots of sunblock and water and you are gold.

Hope you have lots of fun ! Enjoy ! 

[aidliz]

9 months is a bit old but if he is a small guy and your back can handle it a baby bjorn or something like it would be great, he may be amazed by the ocean and people and just be content....for a while looking around.  but he is probably to big.

Bring a few wet washcloths in a baggie and extra water for cleaning off sand.  we went to a beach, but at a lake when my daughter was that age.  she was content with sitting in the sand closer to the water where it is wet, messy but not dry sand.  i made sand castles and gave her a shovel and she was happy, it is messy but she had alot of fun. the pool is a great idea but may not last long, he may just keep climbing out.    If you have or could borrow a jogging stroller, that would be best.  it is really hard ot push a stroller in sand.  then you can walk with him along the water line where it wil be easier to push the stroller. Pull, dont push the stroller in the dry sand much easier.  bring some bubbles...kids love bubbles and will keep him distracted ro a few minutes.

Have fun, take short trips and leave your big stuff there with your friends and come back a couple times a day.

[3babies]

OOooh yeah - bubbles!

[~*Nicole*~]

Okay....I am going to start packing tonight. I did buy the inflatable pool and a small hand pump to make life easier. I got my sunscreen and swimmy diapers. I will pick plastic easy to clean toys. I don't have a jogging stroller or know anyone with one but I think we'll be okay. She is almost walking so she will like to walk with me holding her hands near the water. She isn't too touchy so she shouldn't be too scared. I am both nervous and excited. I think she'll have a great time. brasilianmom...thanks for reminding me about shorter A times! I can probably get some bubbles and such tonight...she does like bubbles! I better make a packing list!

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know how it went when I get back (Monday probably)

[bennysmama]

9 months is a bit old but if he is a small guy and your back can handle it a baby bjorn or something like it would be great, he may be amazed by the ocean and people and just be content....for a while looking around.  but he is probably to big.

If you can get your hands on one quickly, a carrier like the ergo carrier or patapum (I have a beco) works beautifully.  That said, DS is quite a solid little chap and I was fine just carrying him to the water etc.

Big hug!