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Home > Toddlers > Sun Beach and Sea for our Toddlers
 Sun, Beach and Sea for our Toddlers
With Summer round the corner , we start to prepare for our hot days by the beach. However, once you have children, those lazy days spent sprawled on your sun bed basking in the sun, with your eyes closed can be forgotten. Trips to the beach become a major challenge between keeping an eye on your child/ren, making sure that they are safe, that they have their armbands on, that they do not hold each other underwater, that they do not wade off too far, that they are not stung by a bee or a jellyfish, that they do not get sunburnt….
However, trips to the beach become an adventure and a treasured memory for both you and your child. With a little planning, you can make these adventures less stressful and minimize the risks. Here are some tips.
Finding a decent time for the beach
Babies that are less than 6 months old should be left out of the sun, so days by the beach are to be completely avoided, even if accompanied by an umbrella. The heat reflected from the sand and the sea will be too much for the baby to handle. The rest of the population should also avoid the sun between 11:00am and 3:00pm at least, so older babies should not be an exception. Ideally go to the beach early in the morning and start packing by 10am, so that you do not have to travel back home when the heat has kicked in. You can also leave home at about 4pm, and enjoy the rest of the daylight by the beach.
Sun Protection
Always carry an umbrella or stay in the shade. Dress up your babies in a wide brimmed cap and a swimsuit (some swimsuits offer sun protection too). Cover up as much skin as possible, either by full swimsuits or a T shirt and shorts. Put on baby sun block before leaving home, and at regular intervals while at the beach. Remember that while they are swimming they will not be in the shade so the cap, sunblock and tshirt will be their only protection against the sun.
Finding the right place
Children love sand, and will spend their time going in and out of the water playing with their spade and bucket. So plop your umbrella right by the sea and try to create a shady spot where they can play. How to keep them there is the tricky part. You can try by staying there yourself playing with them. Build a dam with the sand and look at the sea trying to get over it. Dig a whole and let the sea fill it up. Build sand castles for them and let them have fun stamping on them.
Eating and Drinking
Needless to say, one of your greatest missions during the day is to ensure that the children drink regularly. Take a cooler with you with some cool drinks and make sure that they take regular sips. Prepare some healthy snacks to take with you.
Unwanted visits
Unfortunately, bees and jellyfish are common show stoppers at the beach. You can find repellent creams at the pharmacy. You can also find creams and sprays to put on if you are stung by one. Carry them with you, better safe than sorry.
Hidden Perils
Not everyone is as responsible as you are. Broken glass, needles and other dangers can be hidden in the sand. Teach your children to dig with a spade and not with their bare hands. Put on beach shoes to protect their feet.
Another common accident by the sea is sand getting in the eyes. Carry a bottle of tap water with you for such cases. Wash their eyes with plenty of water to get out the sand. If you still have water by the end of your trip you can use it to wash them before going back home, thus getting rid of salt and sand straight away.
Armbands, Swimming Rings, Balls and Other Inflatable Objects
Put on their armbands as soon as you arrive on the beach. Put them at the top of your bags when you are at home, so that as soon as you arrive you can get them out quickly. If you have other inflatable objects like dinghies, balls, crocodiles etc, stay next to the children whenever they are using them. The wind and sea can quickly drift them away, and if the children are on it, or follow it, they can quickly go out into deep water before you even realize what is going on. It is a good idea to take with you a spare pair of armbands, in case the first pair gets damaged.
Packing and carrying items to the beach
Try to carry only essentials with you to avoid having many things and bags to carry. Let the children learn to be responsible for their belongings by giving them a small back pack to carry their toys in. The more you take with you, the more you will have to look for when you are coming back. Pack wisely so that what you need as soon as you arrive you find it at the top and what you will need at the end is at the bottom. Don’t take any valuables with you so that you do not have to keep a constant eye on your bags too. Your eyes will have enough work to do with just the children.
Plan ahead to avoid unnecessary trouble, and enjoy your beach time!
Related Topics:
> Newborns in our Maltese Summer
> Caring for the Baby's Skin in Summer
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