Pool/Lake Essentials
Well I had LOTS of travel posts planned for this summer because well it is summer and summer vacations. But since the Rona is here to stay and ruin our lives it looks like we will spending our summer days at the pool or lake. I created this guide to help plan for long days in or on the water with a little one. THE ULTIMATE WATER GUIDE!
I always get questions about what do you use for this or what product do you use for that. Being a mom who frequents the lake and her brother has a pool we def always have a bag packed and ready to go!. That bag often includes multiple changes of clothes. We love our comfy clothes for the lake but we also love a good Columbia PFG for E. When he was an infant we had one similar to this as well.
I will start with my top two go to sunscreens. They are safe, rated a #1 on EWG and they are GOOD.
First up if you are in a pinch and want to run into a drug store, wal-mart or target I always will pick up aveeno baby spf 50. However, if you are able to order ahead of time this sunscreen is my go to. It is from Beautycounter and it is also another safe product you can put on your sweet babe!
Ok next up what better way to protect our kiddos from the sun then their attire. I am crazy person and I go full hat, long sleeve shirt, sunglasses, swim trunks and reapply sunscreen every two minutes.
I am well aware that hats on kiddos can be tricky but this brand is favorite of mine and Elliott can’t get it off his head which is a bonus. They make this style hat for both boys and girl. You can find the hat at this link here.
We have recently purchased a swim shirt that is Columbia brand and it is a favorite of ours. I highly suggest checking out all the styles here. They have boy and girl colors. It is a very thick and breathable material so it will still keep them cool but protected from the sun.
I have tried the disposable throw away swim diapers and Elliott always ends up with terrible diaper rash. So we always use these reusable swim diapers. I alway size up for a little more room to grow. We usually always take two with us just in case and I almost immediately change him if he is going to be out of the water. I worry about his little toosh. These reusable diapers wash really well and I have never had any issues with them.
Last but not least are SHOES. At the lake we don’t worry so much while on the boat. But pool and beach setting the concrete is hot or there is sand and rocks. We typically always have Elliott in some form of water shoe. We decided to invest in Keens because they double as a water shoe and a comfortable summer sandal. We purchased from Nordstrom just so I could order multiple sizes and return with free shipping. But you can find them on sale if you search Google.
Eye protection is always important but Elliott rarely keeps sunglasses on now that he has an opinion. But these are the ones we have and they make them for newborns as well.
Water Safety
Like I said above I am a crazy person about sunscreen but water safety is a subject that will break me out in hives because the fear of a drowning terrifies me. Elliott is still under 30 pounds so he is currently in an infant life jacket at this time.
The life jacket we are using at this time is this one. We have it in a blue color. He will be in this life jacket for the lake until he is over thirty pounds at that point we will move him to this super soft one that does not bother their under arms as badly and rub them raw. Always pay attention and have a spotter while near water with small kids. Always pay attention to the sizes of life jackets. The fit and size is pertinent to the safety of your child.
While we are at the pool we have used some infant floats but we are obviously basically holding on the baby the entire time. This is the float we used last summer for Elliott and through New Years in Florida. My friends had this float for their newborn and it worked really well.
Lastly, I do appreciate a good puddle jumper, however they should be U.S. Coast Guard approved and I would prefer the “vest”/shirt looking one so even if they slide their arms out they have something still attached directly to their body. Here is a good one that my sister-in-law has used for her kiddos and she also owns a pool. Here is the link to the one she prefers. But remember to wear this specific one you must be more than 30 pounds. Also these are your kiddos so do research, reach out to your pediatrician and know that they also need swim lessons and I can not be held liable for anything. I am just over here making some suggestions for products I like that I have found to be deemed safe.
So you need a bag to lug all of this crap to the pool or lake. No worry I have two of my favorites linked. The first one is a Scout bag. I love this bag because it can fold up flat and does not take much room for storage. If something leaks it can easily be wiped up and washed out. They have lots of different styles. The second is a Bogg Bag. I love this bag for all the reasons listed above however it is big and bulky and not easily stored. The Bogg Bag also comes in different sizes so just check to make sure you are getting the size you want. Another thing I like to have on and is some smaller zip up pouches to toss things you don’t want to get wet or a larger pouch to throw wet clothes in. These are super cute and have different prints as well.
Alright other things you need to bring to the pool/lake because well hopefully swimming will be happening. BEACH TOWELS! and not just any random towel you want a good towel that is absorbent. I highly suggest the Member’s Mark brand from Sam’s Club which I am well aware not many people have that membership but if you can get in there. STOCK UP! They sell out every year and they really are the best. Other than that just go for the bigger ones and don’t go cheap because you will be disappointed.
No one wants to haul crap anywhere but with a kid you basically have to bring it all. We have invested in a good bag cooler so that we can ensure we always have snacks, milk and water for our little gremlin. This one is a great option and if you order from the website not amazon they normally always have 50% off. Here is the yeti version of that cooler as well. If I was pumping milk still I would use the medela cooler and just sit this on time. When I still needed to warm his milk up I would use thermos, boil water ahead of time and just place in there to allow for the water to be available as needed. I like this thermos because it comes with a built in cup that you can set the bottle and fill the hot water up with. Even now I will fill the little medela bottles with whole milk just so it stores and travels easier.
Obviously I could go on and on about what I bring with us! But another important piece to this puzzle is a drink for you. I always love a good yeti cup so this one or the one with a straw is perfect or if you have canned drinks this coolie cup is perfect for you!
Toys/Activities
For the older crowd my sister-in-law had some many good recommendations. These rings are super cool to practice swimming through underwater.
These xtreme sport balls are perfect for throwing in the water. My nephew loves to run and jump in and try to catch the football or baseball size ones.
My niece was given this mermaid fin last year for her birthday and it is SO COOL. This would be a good activity for older and experienced kiddos swimming.
Another thing that my sister-in-law recommended was the mesh pool floats that are animals from Sam’s Club. The kids do seem to love them and they are so helpful to keep them entertained.
ANother item we have been taking with us places are the recyclable plastic toys that “water” toys in my opinion because they dry so easily and Elliott loves them in the bath, shower or pool! The ocean set is one of my favorites. This little submarine is precious and so is this little tug boat.
Let me know in the comments what your must have pool items are for you and your family!
***Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these link I might make a few bucks and our family appreciate thats! Thanks for visiting caffeine until cocktails!****
