The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't have an official age recommendation for when babies can go in bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers, but most pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is about 6 months old or can hold their head up well on their own (around 4 to 5 months).
Regardless of which option you go with, pack a few more than you think you're going to need, you just might be glad you did later. Good to know: It is generally recommended that parents wait until their baby is at least 2 months old before taking them swimming in the ocean, a lake, or pool.
There's no set age limit but it's commonly accepted not to take them into the water until at least 2 months old and their immune systems have had time to build up. Time of Day: Babies' skin is far more susceptible to the effects of UV rays than adults.
Babies of six months or under should be kept out of the direct sun, either in their buggy, under a parasol, or in a UV tent. Remember that it can be a few degrees cooler in the shade. If the weather is not very warm, make sure your baby doesn't get cold out of the sun.
The kidneys of children under one year are not developed enough to handle salt; salt overdosing can lead to serious illness and in extreme circumstances death. Submersions in sea water should not be done until the child is over one year old.
The effect of salt on kidney development
STA recently released an article detailing that a baby's kidneys under the age of 12 months can have problems in handling high levels of salt, and in particular sodium.
Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and sun lotion isn't recommended because of the fragility and permeability of their skin. So dress your baby in light clothes that cover their limbs and a cute little sunhat. Find a space in the shade, or use a parasol to keep the sun's rays off your baby.
While the minimum recommended age for taking a baby to the beach is 2 months, it's also recommended that babies under 6 months of age not use sunscreen! So what do you do? Invest in some sun protection!
Taking a Newborn to the Beach
Infants cannot regulate their body heat like grownups, so when they are left in a hot environment they can feel heat stress. Thus, babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct and indirect sunlight because of the risk of heatstroke.
Babies can go in the ocean or lake once they have received their first round of vaccinations and their immune system has developed enough to resist common infections. Typically, this happens around 6 months of age, but it is always best to check with your pediatrician before exposing your baby to large bodies of water.
But sunscreen isn't the answer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That's because infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects, such as a rash. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend keeping newborns and babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight.
Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Minimize sunscreen use on children younger than six months old.
Wait until your baby weighs at least 18 pounds and can wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD) before taking them on a boat (whether that's a rowboat, kayak, motorboat, or sailboat). The average baby reaches 18 pounds at about 7 months for boys and 9 months for girls.
In general, doctors recommend you wait to fly until your baby's immune system is better developed. This could be as soon as one month for full-term infants, though most doctors recommend anywhere between three months and six months.
It's OK to take your baby into a river, lake or the ocean from 2 months, but it's very important to make sure they don't get cold. Choose a spot where the water is warm and clean. Watch out for currents that prevent you from holding them properly. And don't let your baby drink the water.
“As long as your baby is healthy and the pediatrician did not share any cautions with you that would prevent the baby from going outside, it's safe anytime!” she adds.
Sun safety
Keep your baby cool and protect them from the sun. Babies less than 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. Their skin contains too little melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour, and provides some protection from the sun.
Once upon a time, a cardinal rule of newborn care was that new parents and babies should hole up inside their homes for weeks after birth. Today, we know that it's perfectly safe to take your newborn on an outing from day one (or two, or three — whenever she's released from the hospital or birthing center).
You might be surprised to learn that there is no minimum recommended age for taking your baby to the swimming pool. That's right, even newborns can start learning to swim.
But there are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. In fact, if the weather is nice, you should feel free to take your baby outside whenever you feel up to it — you both would both probably enjoy a stroll outside and some fresh air!