First time on a beach

The first time you are on a beach or by a pool with the baby, he/she may be scared of noise, crowd, waves, and will refuse to go into the water with you. It is desirable to get the baby wet gradually and adapt to the water. Do not do anything by force.

It is best to start by bathing the baby in a small pool by the water (never leave the baby unattended by the parents, regardless of the fact that the water in the pool is shallow). Hold the baby with one hand while in the pool, and lightly splash him/her with water from the pool with the other hand. If you go into the water with the baby, do not let the child out of your arm and splash him/her lightly with the other hand; when the child gets used to the water and its temperature a little, and you can see that it suits him/her, put him/her in a float (swim ring).

For babies and young children, there are floats with leg holes; they are the safest in them. When you are in the water with your baby, always stand firmly on your feet, do not go into deep water. It is not advisable for a 6-month-old baby to stay in the water for more than 10 minutes.

Since babies still can't control their bladder or bowel movement, use disposable swimming diapers.

It is also important to rinse the baby's skin with running water every time he/she comes out of the sea, pool or lake and wiped with a towel. Change the baby into dry clothes; there are special UV-protective clothes on the market. If the child walks, be sure to put shoes on his/her feet.

Apply sunscreen even if the child is playing under a beach umbrella (sun shade), because the sun's rays are reflected from concrete, water and sand. Don't forget the part behind the ears, the back of the neck, back and shoulders, as well as the hands and feet, the back of the arms and the area around the bathing suit edges. Although children's sunscreens are waterproof, we recommend reapplying every two hours.