I strategically set my sleeping baby, still snug in his car seat, under our big umbrella to keep him safely shielded from the sun.
Kai was 2 weeks old when we took our first beach excursion to the north side of Newport Beach Pier.
My husband and I love the beach and surf regularly so we were eager to introduce Kai to the place where he’d be spending the majority of his childhood.
This trip was much different from my pre-baby outings. Blackies, as it’s called by locals, is a beach spot where I’ve spent countless hours surfing. But I had left my board and wetsuit at home for this trip. This time, I had a brand-new baby to keep me happy on the sand.
Everything was going well until pesky seagulls showed up. They were vicious-looking, huddled in a big crowd, and loud.
“I should move my baby away from these crazy birds,” I thought.
So I grabbed my towel with one hand and the car seat with Kai in the other, my tiny baby facing the beach as I walked him away from the flock.
When I set the car seat back down on the sand, I gasped in horror.
Sand. Everywhere. As I walked, the back of my flip-flops had kicked up sand straight onto my baby’s face.
I tried to blow it off, but it was sticky. His little eyebrows crinkled as he opened his eyes, cringing as he looked at me as if to ask, “What are you doing, crazy lady?”
I panicked. Should I take him to the shower to wash it off? That water has to be filthy and contaminated; there’s no way that will be safe. Is my child going to go blind if one of these small pieces of sand gets in his eye? Tears ran down my face as I flagged my husband – who was out surfing – into shore.
“I’m the worst mother ever!” I cried out.
This wasn’t my finest moment, and not one I thought I’d ever share in a story. Thankfully, as horrible as that first encounter with my baby on the beach was, it got better. Much, much better.
When doctors cleared me to surf after my pregnancy, my husband and I started a new weekend routine. Beach excursions were no longer a quick one-hour surf session.
Now, we had to haul a whole lot more than just our surfboards to the beach, taking turns watching the little one on the sand, which allowed us to rediscover the joys of the beach as Kai learned about them.
It’s been harder than our previous non-baby life, but the payoff has been worth it.
Kai went from spending the mornings in his car seat staring at waves to being able to sit on the sand and feel it with tiny hands he was just discovering.
When he started to crawl, he’d collapse and tumble, giggling as sand covered his face. He started to discover nature and was curious about all the little rocks and shells around him. So curious, he tried to stick them into his mouth, over and over again. (I thought that phase would never end.) On warmer days, he’d sit in the tide pools in just a diaper and giggle as he splashed the water.
As he started getting older, he’d stand at the water’s edge and run away from the waves as they lapped at the shore. I’d hover just to make sure he wasn’t knocked down. He’d entertain himself by chasing seagulls that barely moved as he rushed toward them.
Rock jetties became a new playground. Kai would find small rocks to climb and then jump off onto the soft sand. He could do that for hours. And some days, he simply napped, taking in the serene sound of the waves.
But with all those great moments, dangers became apparent, things we were oblivious to before we became parents. There are threats with every step our child takes, every wave that crashes. The beach can be a playful and peaceful place, but also one to be educated about to ensure a fun-filled adventure.
A safe day at the beach
Waves: While it’s fun to watch your little one run back and forth in the water onshore, waves can be unpredictable, and at some spots on certain swells waves can be extremely dangerous. Sometimes the ocean seems flat and calm, then suddenly a big set can come out of nowhere. You also want to watch the tides. High tides combined with big waves at places like tide pools can also bring dangers. Always check surfline.com before you go or with a nearby lifeguard about surf conditions and precautions once you arrive.
Sand: If your child is anything like mine, he or she will want to stick anything and everything in the mouth. Mine loved putting sand into his mouth for some strange reason, and even attempted a few rocks. Sadly, the beaches here are filled with dirty, filthy findings, such as cigarette butts, glass and plastic bottle caps, all of which can be a hazard for the little ones. Make sure you watch them closely as they discover nature’s biggest sandbox.
Fire rings: These may seem safe during the day when there are no fires, but wood and coals can still be hot from the night before. To be safe, just stay far away.
Close parking, short sand walk: This is a big one for us, because we are lugging not only a toddler, but our big surfboards and wetsuits. Find a beach that has parking near where you want to set up, and one that doesn’t have lots of stairs or long stretches of beach to cross.
Sunscreen: Always make sure to lather up your little one to protect him or her from the sun. Doctors recommend waiting until a child is 4 to 6 months old before applying sunscreen, so for a younger baby, make sure you have an umbrella to block the sun. I like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch with SPF 55 for Kai. It goes on smooth and light and doesn’t sting his eyes as much as other brands I’ve tried.
Seagulls: This one might sound silly, but birds at some beaches can be ruthless. I’ve seen them rip doughnuts right out of children’s hands, and they will attack your belongings if you have crackers or snacks in bags and step away for just a second. Make sure to have food securely put away and keep an eye on your stuff or you could find it scattered around the beach.
Digging holes: This might seem like fun, but make sure your toddler doesn’t jump into a deep hole. The sides can collapse and put your child in danger.
Contact the writer: Contact the writer at lconnelly@ocregister.com
