Advice on 8 month old at the pool all day?

[Anonymous]

I'm cross-posting this in the General Forum, too.

I'm looking for advice from moms who have vacationed with an 8 month old. We are going for a week with my in-laws to the Caribbean and they seem to think we can stay all day long at the beach or poolside.

I'm wondering how this will work for naps! I think we will have to break up some of these trips for some inside rest time. Also, do you change the swim diaper every time the baby gets out of the pool? And how many toys to take with you to the beach/pool, will the environment be entertaining enough?

My baby is only 4 months now, so planning this far advance kind of worries me because I don't know what to expect yet. Any advice welcome, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Can't that baby sleep by the pool?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't/didn't do it. But I'm not an all-day-at-the-beach type of person either.

I'd be concerned with heat and sun exposure. Generally, they say to keep a baby out of the sun between 10am and 2pm. There's really no way to escape it. Even under and umbrella, the sun's rays reflect up off the sand and onto you/baby. UV clothing doesn't cover everything. Sunblocks arent' 100% either. And babies burn very easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't/didn't do it. But I'm not an all-day-at-the-beach type of person either.

I'd be concerned with heat and sun exposure. Generally, they say to keep a baby out of the sun between 10am and 2pm. There's really no way to escape it. Even under and umbrella, the sun's rays reflect up off the sand and onto you/baby. UV clothing doesn't cover everything. Sunblocks arent' 100% either. And babies burn very easily.

I agree. My dermatologist is 100 percent against bringing babies to pools/beaches during these hours. But if you have to do it, take lots of breaks in your air-conditioned room. And let your baby nap there in the middle of the day.

Splurge on some UV clothing for your baby. Get the best hats. And you'll have to use tons of sunblock, even if your baby isn't one year old yet.

And be careful of the heat. As every basic baby book will tell you, babies are way more sensitive to heat.