It’s a hot, sunny day at the beach! But is your baby safe? Whether it’s from the sun’s rays or illnesses in the water, let’s find out what you can do to keep your baby safe at the beach.

How do I keep my baby safe in the sun?

Even when it’s not very sunny, you should keep your baby’s skin safe from the sun’s rays. If your baby is younger than six months old, try to keep them out of the sun altogether.

When they’re older, dress them in cotton clothes that cover both legs and arms. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are also good choices to protect them from the sun and sand. Specially designed UV-protective clothing is also a great choice.

If there are parts of your baby that are not covered, apply sun protection cream liberally and regularly, making sure not to miss any patches.

Be aware of the sun protection you’re using. You can buy sunscreen specifically made for babies to help with sensitive skin. If you go out when it's hot, attach a parasol or sunshade to your baby's pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight. Apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to your baby's skin. Make sure the product also protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Remember that SPF only rates ultraviolet B (UVB) protection. The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. You should see a star rating of up to 5 stars on UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating, the better. Ensure any product that you put on a baby or child has five stars.

Reapply sunscreen often. You should be aiming to reapply every couple of hours, and especially after your baby has been in the water. Buy waterproof sun protections products if possible.

What additional items can I bring to the beach?

These items, whilst not essential, can make your trip to the beach smoother and easier:

Towels. Bring spares to be ready for any situation!

Parasol. These give some much-needed shade for your baby.

Windbreak. Not only can they give you privacy in case of nappy changes or accidents, they clearly mark a safe space for your baby to crawl.

Cooler. Great for cold food and drink, which can help your baby cool off on a summer day.

Jelly shoes. These can protect their feet from the heat of the sand, as well as any sharp stones. Definitely a good choice for reducing comfort!

Where should I set up when we arrive at the beach?

Choose a spot that’s not too close to the water’s edge. As well as keeping your baby safe from the water, this will make sure you don’t have to move when the tide comes in.

Set up windbreaks and parasols as soon as possible to make sure your baby can’t crawl off.

If your baby has started crawling, you must keep an eye on them at all times. Don’t let them anywhere near the water without you or another adult.

If you need to breastfeed your baby, windbreaks can give you privacy. It can also stop sand from hitting you whilst you’re feeding.

If you’re formula feeding, it’s worth buying cartons of ready-made formula milk. Whilst a bit pricier than powder milk, it can make feeding at the beach a lot easier!

If you’re feeding your baby solids, don’t give them a whole lunchbox at once. That’s a surefire way for it to end up on the beach! Finger foods work great, or alternatively you can feed them with a spoon.

So, now that you know how to set your stall up on the beach with maximum safety and comfort, how can you keep your baby safe when they’re in the water?

What about when my baby’s in the water?

Here are a few great safety tips to make sure your baby is safe when you’re in the water:

Always keep a hold of your baby and make sure your feet are on solid ground. Even if you’re used to floating your baby in an indoor pool, keep them close to your body in outside water.

Keep your baby’s head clear above water. Swallowing outside water can lead to illnesses, as the baby's immune systems aren’t as developed as ours.

If you notice a swift undercurrent or flow, get out of the water. Do not let your baby or toddler near fast water.

Ideally, your baby should have a floatation device. This is so that if they slip, they won’t fall underneath the water.

How do I keep my baby safe at the beach?

Here's how to keep baby safe at the seaside.