Beach Babies! It's summertime and we're all looking for warm sand and water! This year my family has to think about having a baby at the beach with us again. Little Maddie is only seven months old, so we had to re-educate ourselves on babies and beaches.

I turned to my trusted friends, the nurses at 454-KIDS to help prepare for our trek. Here's what I found out.

• Don't ever give up going to the beach because you have a baby. Babies live all along our coastlines! You'll simply have to make some revisions to your plans.
• No one, especially babies under 6 months should have prolonged sun exposure.
• Avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm when the sun is strongest. Remember, tho, you can sunburn on a cloudy day, too. There's plenty of shade under boardwalks, piers and beach house porches. Babies and young toddlers may enjoy a quiet waterside more than waves of the ocean.
• UV rays bounce back from the water, sand, and concrete.
• Everyone in the family, even the baby, should wear a hat with a brim and lightweight cotton clothing and long sleeves when outdoors.
• Wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection. There are the cutest baby sunglasses in the stores now!
• Sunscreen should be used for protection, not a reason to stay in the sun.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15.
• Do not use a combination of sunscreen/insect repellant as the sunscreen has to be reapplied and the insect repellent should not be reapplied until the child has been bathed.
• The FDA has not approved sunscreen for babies under 6 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it is okay to use under 6 months IF YOU MUST. Shade however, is a better option, so take an umbrella or cabana to the beach to protect your little one from the sun. Be sure to test an area to be sure your baby does not react to the sunscreen, then apply to small areas sparingly.

For more information about traveling with your baby, contact the nurses at 454-KIDS. Remember, because the beach is a very relaxing place to be, your baby may just pick up on your relaxed state of mind! Have fun and be safe!

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