The weather's warming up, the shore is calling out to you, and you can't wait to take your little one to the beach for the very first time! But I'm sure mounted on top of all of your excitement is a bit of anxiety. We've all seen it: the new mom, overwhelmed, carrying a giant beach wagon, baby on her hip, dragging a tent and floaties and god knows what else through the dense sandy dunes. You don't want, or need, to be that mom! I understand you want your baby to be 100% safe from sun and sand, and happy as possible on the beach, but you should avoid overpacking. A successful beach trip actually requires less gear, not more, and is all about bringing high-quality, multi-purpose items. We have an entire section for beach gear HERE, but for baby's first trip, we're helping you focus on specifics. Here's our guide:
The Multi-Purpose Swaddle Hack
First, pick out a comfy beach day outfit for yourself, then focus on baby's bag. When it comes to packing our beach bags, the first thing to go in is a big, bulky beach towel. While you or bigger kids might need those bulky towels, you won't need one for baby's beach day. Instead, bring a lightweight, organic cotton swaddle. We carry a variety that will work perfectly! Using a swaddle instead of a big towel is better for a few different reasons:
First, you can use it as a lightweight nursing cover in case you need to feed baby at the beach. Second, it works as a breathable sunshade for when you have baby in the stroller or in the car. It's also the perfect soft spot for baby to lounge on under the umbrella after playing around in the sun!
Instead of bringing big plastic toys and multi-piece playsets, just bring one or two small items for baby to play with. A wooden boxcar from Candylab fits perfectly in your beach bag, wrapped in the swaddle, or a handful of silicone water toys.
As far as what to carry all of your things in, you can't go wrong with Sande Kids beach gear. Their massive bags are as stylish as they are durable, and they have function without sacrificing fashion. From their 110-liter Beach Hauler bags to their crossbody bags, each bag is high-quality, durable, pleasing to the eye, and a summer essential you definitely won't regret buying! Check out our Sande Kids' products HERE.
Premium Protection
Keeping baby's skin safe is our number one concern for the day! Find a clean, baby-safe sunscreen to pack, and make sure you bring along a soothing post-sun balm, too.
When it's bright out, we all know that a squinting baby = an unhappy baby. If your baby can stand wearing accessories, a cute pair of oversized sunnies is a great (and adorable) way to keep the sun out of their eyes. A floppy beach hat gets the job done, too!
Your choice in your baby's swimwear matters, too! You could drop ten bucks on a cheap Shein swimsuit, but if you want something that will look cute, stay on, and last for multiple trips to the beach, start at Wrightsville Ave's swim collection. Many of the brands we carry provide swimwear with sun-protective fabric up to UPF 50+, like Rylee + Cru swim.
You also want to pack one change of clothes for once playtime is over. You don't want to deal with a screaming, crying, sandy baby in the backseat of the car on your ride home, so be proactive and ziplock a fresh, buttery-soft post-beach outfit to keep in the beach bag.
The Sand-Free Ride Home
So you packed your bag, put baby in the car, got to the beach, had your fun, and now... it's time for the worst part: Getting a tired, sandy baby back into the car seat!
Half the battle of avoiding the sandy car ride home is packing light to begin with. All you have is a tote bag, the swaddle, some tiny toys, and an accessory or two, which should be more that manageable to carry back to the car and toss in the back seat. The swaddle can be used to dust the sand off of your baby before changing into that extra set of clothes you packed, and you can use it to wrap up any miscellaneous bits and pieces before you hit the road!
Baby's going to be worn out after that long day at the beach, and will be ready for a nap. Make sure to bring a Cuddle & Kind stuffie along, so your little one has something to snuggle with on the ride home!
Your Baby's First Beach Trip
Babies are unpredictable, as you know, so there's no telling how any excursion will go, so keep your expectations low, mama.
Your baby's first successful beach trip might only last 45 minutes, and that's okay! Grab your iced coffee, pack light, take as many cute pictures as you can, and hit the road once baby's done for the day.
Ready to pack the perfect minimalist beach bag? Shop our baby gear, beach gear, and swim sections for everything you need!