Vacations, how to care for your baby at the beach

Beach vacations pose certain risks for your baby, as they are much more sensitive to high temperatures, sun rays, pool chlorine, and changes in routine. Here are some tips to protect your baby in the water so you can enjoy great moments of fun with your family. Stay with your baby at all times. Never take your eyes off your baby for even a second when they are in the water, as this is a fundamental rule in their care; a phone call or any distraction, no matter how small, can be fatal. Do not neglect your baby when playing at the edge of the pool; remember that they are not yet aware of the danger they face; they might throw a toy and try to rescue it, risking falling into the water. It’s better to keep their toys out of the water. If your vacation is at the beach, find a way to identify the little one with a bracelet or pendant that has their name and your phone number in case they get lost. Remember to apply sunscreen to your baby and reapply it regularly. Babies have very delicate skin, so applying a sunscreen with UVB and UVA protection to shield them from the sun’s rays is very important. You should reapply it every 40 minutes or so, and after each bath. Remember that you should only apply sunscreen to your baby if they are over 6 months old. Make sure they consume enough fluids, especially if they are active in the sun. Babies are more vulnerable to dehydration than adults since the proportion of water in their bodies is greater and their balance is weaker; excessive fluid loss can have serious consequences for their bodies, which is why special caution must be taken in warm places. It is essential to have a bottle of water to hydrate your little one. The water you give them should neither be too cold nor too hot; keep it in a cool place. Breast milk also helps hydrate the child, as do natural fruits, whether solid or in purees. If your baby is still breastfeeding, offer the breast on demand and more frequently, as in addition to providing them with liquid, breast milk supplies minerals and electrolytes that prevent dehydration. If they are breastfed, there is no need to give them water, as breast milk is composed of 90% water and is sufficient to maintain their hydration. Check that the water temperature is pleasant. The ideal temperature for little ones is between 28°C and 30°C; ensure that their clothing is lightweight, ideal for protecting them from the sun’s rays. Don’t keep them too bundled up or in too little clothing; it is important to always keep them under an umbrella or put light socks on them in the evening. To cool them down, it is ideal to wipe a wet cloth over some parts of their body. You can take your baby into the beach or pool starting from 5 or 6 months, if the temperature is appropriate. The water should be warm, never cold, and they should be introduced slowly into it, wetting their arms, legs, and neck first. If the water is not warm enough (about 32°C), it’s best that they do not stay in for more than 5 minutes and always with supervision. Do not put them in the water with absorbent diapers; use a special disposable swim diaper. When you take them out of the water, it’s important to remove the special disposable swim diaper, dry your baby well, and change their clothes as soon as possible. Keep a small bottle of saline solution to rinse their eyes of chlorine; you can purchase it at pharmacies, and it will relieve any stinging.