Planning a holiday with babies and toddlers can be both an exciting adventure and a daunting challenge. With their boundless energy and curious nature, they turn even the simplest trips into extraordinary experiences. However, ensuring these little explorers are safe, comfortable, and happy during your holiday requires a bit of extra planning and preparation, not least when you are jetting off to sunnier climes.
Don’t fret and don’t let the extra preparations put you off a beach holiday. Follow these expert tips from one of our trusted Marketplace brands, Splash About to ensure your little one stays cool, sun protected and happy.
It goes without saying, suncream on holiday is a must! However, if this is your baby or toddlers first holiday, you may not have used sun cream on them before. With so many products on the market including creams, sprays, sticks, once a day applications etc, we would recommend you finding the one that suits your baby before you leave for the airport. This will give you time to try a few, especially if your baby has sensitive skin.
Factor 30 is the absolute minimum that should be used on young children, whilst Factor 50 sunscreen is favoured amongst many parents of young children. It is important to remember that sunscreen must be reapplied every time your child comes out of the water, even if it is advertised as waterproof.
Advice from the NHS is that babies under 6 months should not be exposed to the sun at all and everyone else should be avoiding direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm. Whilst sunscreen is highly advised they also advise that clothing is the best line of defence against damage from the sun.
Very young babies should wear loose, cool clothing and they should always be placed in the shade. A beach tent is a popular choice amongst parents so that babies can be with them on the beach but remain in complete shade. For all other children, there is an abundance of sun protection swimwear available. The Happy Nappy™ Sunsuit is an innovative and practical solution for babies up to 2 years. It is a combination of a sun protection rash top, and a neoprene, reusable Happy Nappy™. This means you can take your baby in the pool with complete peace of mind that their neck, shoulders and arms are covered, as well as knowing they are protected from embarrassing accidents that could cause pools to close.
Team the Happy Nappy™ Sunsuit with a matching legionnaire hat and you are giving your little one the best chance of avoiding damage from the sun’s harmful rays. Splash About’s Legionnaire Hats are designed to stay put in or out of the water. A soft peak at the front protects eyes, whilst the long fabric at the back covers the neck. With elastic that fits round the head, it won’t slip down and is lightweight and comfortable for all day wear.
We all know keeping track of a toddler is hard at the best of times, but throw in keeping them hydrated, covered in sun cream and escorting them in and out of the pool several times a day, and you’ll deserve that cocktail by the bar later! Some of the stress can be taken away, knowing they are comfortable, and sun protected on the beach and by the pool. Covering them up is by far the best way to ensure complete sun protection, with practical and comfortable children’s wetsuits.
Made from 1mm thick neoprene, the UV Sun & Sea Suit provides 50+ UV protection, this wetsuit will keep children warm in cooler waters and cool when out in the sun. Add to that stretchy side panels, sleeves and neckline and you have a comfortable wetsuit that children can move, run, swim and dig in the sand in. As it is quick drying and has a long zip up the back, they can comfortably wear this all day, and take it on and off easily when required.
If your toddler still needs the protection of a swim nappy, the Splash Jammers are a grown-up version of our Happy Nappy™ and provide reliable leak protection for toddlers who are not potty trained. Team with a matching sun protection rash top and legionnaire hat and you will have the coolest kid on the beach!
When we take a trip to the beach, we think about protecting children’s arms, necks, shoulders and faces from the sun, but what we often forget about is their feet! Hot sand can be very dangerous and can in fact cause severe burns. Always remember to pack a pair of flip flops or aqua shoes for your little ones. This will also keep them comfortable when walking across rocks or shells and hopefully reduce the amount of time they will want to be carried!
Children are at a higher risk of becoming dehydrated as they are less effective at perspiring than adults and therefore their body produces more heat, meaning they need a lot more fluid during hot, active days.
Offer water at regular intervals, as well as ice lollies, and high-water content fruits such as watermelon and strawberries to keep them hydrated.
If your baby is under 6 months however, and is exclusively breastfed, these rules do not apply. The NHS advise that “Fully breastfed babies do not need any water until they have started eating solid foods…This is because the composition of breastmilk changes to meet the infant’s needs, including for water which is a component of breastmilk. During hot weather, a breastfed infant may want to feed little and often to quench their thirst.” So, mummy’s keep well hydrated but don’t worry about baby. They are getting everything they need from you.
We all wish we had more time with our children, and holidays are the perfect chance to bond, try new activities and find new hobbies to do together. Why not use this time to teach your little one the basics of swimming? With the help of a learn to swim aid like the Go Splash Swim Vest or the Sleeved Floatsuit, you can get your toddler used to being in the water in the position they will need to adopt to be able to swim. That way, children will gain confidence in the water and will have learnt a new skill, all in a couple of weeks.
The reason for all the preparation is so that you and your family can enjoy a lovely holiday together. So that must be the biggest tip of all – relax and enjoy!!
These tips will give you a head start when thinking of sun protection and looking after babies and toddlers on a beach holiday, just remember a beach ball, and bucket and spade and some pool toys (check out the adorable Snippets for cute pool toys that babies and children can enjoy in and out of the pool) and you’re good to go.
Now that you know how to have a safe and fun time at the beach with your little ones, shop now the essentials. Bon Voyage!
