Taking Baby to the Beach? Not Without a Baby Beach Tent

Having a baby doesn’t negate soaking up the sun at the beach. That’s right, you indeed can have fun on the beach with your little ones too. So, definitely count on taking your little bundle (or bundles) of joy with you to the beach. However, you’re probably thinking that most of your time will be spent looking after the baby rather than getting some much-needed relaxation, right?

Well, don’t get me wrong, you’ll definitely need to keep your eyes pinned on all of your little ones while at the beach, no doubt about it. Not only will you need to watch your children well, but you’ll also need to pack up things like diapers, wipes, breastmilk, bottles, and more. So, those of you with babies will need to pack more items in preparation for your family’s day at the beach. One necessary item that you’ll find quintessential on all of your beach trips with littles ones is the baby beach tent.

Going to the beach means exposure to the sun, and there is nothing as bad as having your baby’s skin sunburned after time on the beach. Skin so delicate shouldn’t have excessive sun exposure. For a baby, sunscreen may not be enough to provide protection and that is why a baby beach tent comes in handy. Plus, the less you need to put those chemicals on your baby, the better. There are always alternatives, including natural ones. But, it

But, it doesn’t get much more effective than simply limiting your little one’s exposure. A baby who is less than six months old should be kept out of the sun for any extended period of time. Older babies should not be kept in the sun during it’s peak time between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. In these cases, beach tents made for babies are perfect solutions for protecting your children from sun’s harmful rays during your fun days of fun at the beach.

Features of the Best Baby Tents

When choosing a baby tent for the beach, you should make sure that it’s one that can serve the purpose properly. Therefore, you should base your purchase on your needs. For instance, if your child is very young and can only sleep in an enclosed space, then you should get an enclosed tent. For older children that may want to play with sand, a tent with no bottom would be more appropriate. However, there are some common features should be present on the baby beach tent. Some of the features to look out for include:

• Ability to protect your baby from the sun. The baby beach tent should protect your baby from the scorching sun by providing shade. If a baby is exposed to the sun for long periods, it can result in sunburn, which can be painful. Therefore,  beach tents made for babies will prove useful for providing the required shade. You should make sure that the tent has all sides covered such that the baby can be protected no matter which side the sun is on.
• Protection from harmful sun rays. Other than providing shade, the baby beach tent should protect the baby from ultraviolet rays. These rays can penetrate fabrics, which means that the tent should be specially made in such a way that it can block them. This is done using a special coating or functional weaving patterns made to block UV rays.
• The baby tent should have a floor. Especially important for infants, the floor is important for ensuring that a young baby does not have access to ingest sand or any other potentially hazardous materials. This means you should choose a baby tent with a floor (although it may not be thick). However, if you already have a baby tent without a floor, you can lay a blanket on the sand to prevent your baby from accessing the sand. But for infants, tents with floors are best.
• Durable. A baby beach tent should be made using durable materials so that it can withstand a lot of use. Basically, you want something rugged that can withstand rough use. The materials should be strong enough to hold it in place, provide protection from the sun’s UV rays, provide protection from moderately windy conditions, and should be waterproof.
• Ventilation. In as much as your tent should provide protection from the sun, it should also have enough ventilation so that the baby does not suffocate. It should have adequate openings that can allow fresh air in while also providing the desired protection. Some tents use breathable mesh panels to keep the baby cool that can be opened opposite of direct sunlight. Enclosed spaces can heat us quickly in hot conditions, so this is extremely important. In any case, the tent isn’t your baby’s babysitter, you should know how they are at all times.
• Portable and lightweight. The baby beach tent should be light so that carrying it does not prove to be a burdensome, especially since you may also be carrying your baby. You don’t want something so cumbersome that you’re worn out before you even get to your beach spot unless you’re trying to get all that extra exercise. Although most tents are lightweight, some are heavy. So, when shopping and comparing the multitude of baby tents available, keep this in mind.
• Easy to set up and to take down. The tent should be easy to assemble and take down. You do not want to spend your precious time at the beach going through the manual trying to figure out how to assemble the tent. Some tents can be set up and taken down in a matter of seconds. When choosing, you should opt for such tents. If you’re the type that gets nervous when instructions are involved, rest assured. After you set up and take down your tent a few times, you’ll be an expert!
• Stable. The baby beach tent should easily withstand a breeze on the beach. It should also remain standing even if the baby tries to pull it down. This means that you should get a tent that can go deep into the sand to provide the required support. Some of the options available include those that have pegs that are able to be pinned down or rods which can be thrust into the ground to provide stability.

Wrap-Up

Just because babies are small doesn’t mean that they have to deal with the same environment you do when at the beach. They need protection from the heat and sunlight too, even more so. Therefore, when preparing for family fun at the beach, using a beach tent is one way to make their day enjoyable as well! While the option of applying sunscreen to your baby may be available, it may not be the best considering that a baby has very sensitive skin. So, expose your little ones to the sun periodically for vitamin D, but don’t resort to chemicals at other times when you can just remove them from the sunlight instead.

Remember, when buying a baby beach tent, there are some features you should be on the lookout for such as the tent’s ability to provide the desired protection from the sun and harmful UV rays. Also, don’t purchase a tent that boasts so much weight it’s like carrying an anvil.  As for ease of use, a good baby beach tent should be easy to assemble and take down too. Besides those features, sturdiness should be such that it’s stable and will not fall when in moderately windy conditions or when your baby tries to pull it down (you know they will!). Ventilation is also a must during your tent search because the best tents are those that are well ventilated.

One more quick note, if you have older children, you may want to consider purchased a tent without a floor so that they can still enjoy the sand without getting exposed to the sun hours-on-end. But, as we mentioned earlier, go for a tent without a floor for infants so that they don’t put anything in their mouths you wouldn’t be comfortable with. So, the next time you go to the beach, think of how you can make it fun and enjoyable for the little ones too. They may not be able to express their thankfulness in their language quite yet, but you can trust that they truly are thankful to you for your love and care.

How have your family beach vacations fared with little ones? Let us know your experiences and tips! Comment Below.

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