Traveling as a family requires a whole new level of organizational skills, especially with a baby in tow.

Thankfully, my Type-A personality thrives on a logistical challenge, so I’ve naturally had an embarrassing amount of fun putting together this handy beach vacation packing list for baby to help you out.

On it, I’ve included everything we brought along on our first family trip to Mallorca (and a couple of additional items for my future wish-list, of course).

So whether you’re planning your first family beach vacay and you’re not sure what to pack or you’re looking to improve upon your trips with some better organization, I’ve got you covered with this summer baby essentials list!

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As someone who was initially on the fence about rashguard swimsuits because of the whole long-sleeves-in-heat aspect, I can honestly say I’ve been converted!

Personally, I find rashguard swimsuits to be the best choice for babies under one. Most suits of this style offer UPF50 protection (and if they don’t, you should look elsewhere).

UPF50 will give you peace of mind that your baby’s skin is protected from the sun. It’s also super helpful to have because you won’t have to apply (and reapply!) as much sunscreen as you normally would if your little one was in a regular swimsuit (with exposed arms/chest, etc.).

After trying a couple of different brands, my favorite thus far has been this adorable rufflebottom one piece from Caden Lane. It fits my daughter just right and isn’t too tight around her midsection.

I also love that they offer family-matching swimsuits, so of course I couldn’t resist this option for our first family trip to Mallorca!

I’ve actually purchased a number of baby items from Caden Lane over the past few months (especially during the newborn phase), and I’ve always been impressed by the quality and fit of their pieces.

Here are some considerations when selecting a rashguard swimsuit:

• Size up – Rashguard swimsuits tend to run tight, so it can’t hurt to size up. My girl started wearing the 6-12 month size right when she turned six months old and two of her suits fit way more snugly than I expected (despite her small stature). I (surprisingly) think she could’ve pulled off the 12-18 month size even at her young age!
• Prioritize a zipper – This isn’t something I initially considered, but now that I discovered how snug rashguard suits tend to be, it’s a non-negotiable for me. The less I have to wrestle my baby into (and more importantly, out of) her swimsuit, the better!
• Look for a snap crotch for baby-girl suits – A snap closure at the crotch makes for easier diaper changes both before and after swim time.
• Look for a matching swim hat – I’m a big fan of matching swim hats (especially if your baby is not a fan of wearing sunglasses). They may seem unnecessary, but with all of the time your baby will be above water soaking up the hot sun, he/she will appreciate their own portable source of shade!

I love a good sun hat for myself, so it’s no surprise that I’m obsessed with them for my baby as well.

This is the first sun hat I purchased for my daughter and I’ve been pretty happy with it overall.

In retrospect, I would’ve preferred a slightly thicker material, but I love the fit of the hat, the cute pinstripe pattern, and the low price point.

As I’ve started diving deeper into the world of baby hats, I’ve fallen in love with swim hats and I now have three of them for my daughter – one to go with each of her rashguard swimsuits.

Swim hat vs. sun hat: What’s the difference?

Swim hats are made of a bathing-suit-like material and are specifically designed to get wet (hence the name swim hat), whereas sun hats are only intended to provide protection from the sun.

That said, swim hats are doubly useful as they also provide sun protection, so they’re really like superior sun hats (ones that are made to get wet).

If you’re taking your (non-potty-trained) little one into the water, a swim diaper is a must! (This was a learning curve for me as a FTM, so don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of a swim diaper.)

So…why are swim diapers a thing?

Well, if you attempted to put your baby in the pool or ocean wearing a regular diaper, it would swell up into a heavy, soggy, waste-filled mess. (Super gross!)

Swim diapers, on the other hand, have a protective coating (or special fabric outer layer) to help prevent water absorption.

This way, your little one can enjoy splashing around without any discomfort (and without creating an unhygienic swimming environment for others).

In short, swim diapers are more than a nice-to-have – they’re a necessity for swim time!

There are two main types of swim diapers: reusable cloth swim diapers and disposable swim diapers.

I have mixed opinions on which is best. You’ll have to decide what works for you and your little one.

We started out with this reusable Green Sprouts swim diaper from Target in the six-month size. This brand has cute patterns and they fit my daughter well.

That said, I wish I’d gone with the snap-style reusable swim diaper (instead of the pull-up style) for easier changes. (We had one really messy clean-up that ended up being a two-person job!)

Lately, I’ve been using this disposable variety as it’s more convenient.

I’ve put together some pros and cons of each swim diaper style to help you decide.

Reusable Swim Diaper Pros:

• Eco-friendly option with less waste
• No need to constantly buy new swim diapers; just wash and reuse
• Soft, breathable fabric is gentle on baby’s skin

Reusable Swim Diaper Cons:

• If baby goes #2, clean-ups can be messy
• You’ll have to bring a soggy, used diaper back from the beach or pool to wash

 Disposable Swim Diaper Pros:

• Easier & faster clean up
• You don’t need to carry around dirty diapers; just use once and toss

Disposable Swim Diaper Cons:

• Disposable design creates more waste
• You’ll need to continue purchasing new diapers (which can get pricey) if you’re planning to do a lot of swimming

Once those little feet begin walking (or standing assisted), you’ll want to consider purchasing some water shoes, particularly for rockier beaches.

We have these cute water shoes in the bare white color.

I love the lightweight design and easy velcro closure.

I’ll be honest, however – my daughter has yet to wear them for a beach outing, so I don’t have too much detail to share at this point. That said, I’ll be sure to update this section once she does.

There seems to be mixed opinions on whether sunglasses are a yay or nay for little ones, and it usually comes down to this question: Will your baby actually wear them?

I actually found it was easier to get my girl to wear sunglasses when she was younger (around three months) than it is now that she’s seven months. With her ever-advancing coordination and more finely-tuned motor skills, she’d prefer to rip them off her face, chew them, etc. than actually use them for their intended purpose…

Unfortunately, there’s no way to really know without trying, so you could always purchase a pair and then return them if it doesn’t work out.

That said, if your baby doesn’t take to sunglasses on the first try, I recommend hanging on to them for a later time and trying again when they’re a bit older.

I also recommend picking a style similar to these sunglasses my daughter has, as they come with a strap that you can secure around your baby’s head.

It’s also helpful that they’re available in a 2-pack (or 3-pack!) so that you can stow an extra away in the glovebox of your car, diaper bag, etc.

Another nice-to-have-but-non-essential-item is a cover-up. This can be a helpful addition to your beach vacation packing list for baby, making toweling-off time just a tad bit easier for both you and your squirmy little one.

There are a variety of styles on the market, but I personally recommend a terrycloth-style cover up like this one that I’ve had my eye on for awhile.

The absorbent terrycloth material is basically like putting your child into a towel with arm holes.

Before having my daughter, I was completely clueless in the realm of sunscreen for babies.

For instance, did you know that it’s generally considered unsafe to put sunscreen on a baby younger than six months? 

Or that babies should use mineral sunscreen with the active ingredient of zinc oxide, as it’s more gentle on their sensitive skin?

This was all news to me, and it’s one of (very few) reasons I’m grateful I had a December baby who was fully-clothed for the first few months of her life.

In any case, once you hit that 6-month sweet spot, you’re going to want to start applying sunscreen on your baby.

I absolutely love the Baby Bum mineral roll-on sunscreen for my daughter.

As a newbie FTM, I originally started out with Baby Bum’s cream version (pictured below), but quickly learned how hard it is to keep a squirmy baby down for sunscreen-slathering.

The roll-on version is so much easier to apply and totally worth the extra few bucks, trust me!

Here are a few helpful pointers when it comes to purchasing sunscreen for babies:

• Look for a mineral sunscreen (we love the Baby Bum brand)
• Select a UPF of at least 30 (we use UPF 50)
• Opt for a roll-on style, if possible (they also sell a stick similar to a deodorant, but I’m not a fan)

So you’re probably wondering what business baby powder and cornstarch have on a beach vacation packing list for baby. Well, I’m happy to enlighten you with this cool #momhack I recently heard about…

Apparently, baby powder with a cornstarch base (or straight-up cornstarch) works wonders for getting pesky sand off of your baby’s sensitive skin after a beach day.

Who knew?

In fairness, I have not yet tried this hack myself, but apparently it really works!

If you’d like to give this fun trick a whirl, here’s a cornstarch-based baby powder to check out.

Let me know how it goes!

After a day of fun in the sun, a post-beach item you’ll want to have on hand is a baby-friendly cleanser.

If you’re anything like me and don’t want to take your chances on hotel soap on your baby’s sensitive skin, you’ll want to pack a travel-size portion of your trusted body-wash brand.

I personally love The Honest Company’s baby line and use this lavender shampoo & body wash combo on my daughter.

I love that the body wash is hypoallergenic and has a pleasant light lavender scent.

Pre-baby, I was admittedly never a big beach blanket person. I was more of a toss-a-towel-down-and-go-kinda-gal.

Well, that all changed as I was brainstorming my beach vacation packing list for baby and  realized that throwing a skimpy towel onto the sand wasn’t going to suffice for my wiggly little lady. So I started down the (very long) rabbit hole that is beach blanket research (and admittedly spent far too much time doing this).

Fortunately for you, I did the leg work so you don’t have to! I ultimately decided on this Turkish beach blanket which hubby and I have been very happy with.

Here’s what I love about this beach blanket (and what I recommend looking for):

• Effective moisture absorption
• Sand-repelling material
• Lightweight, easy to fold, and suitable for travel
• Attractive design (a bonus)!
• Budget-friendly (another bonus)!

The only thing I would’ve done differently is size up.

I initially ordered the large, but I definitely underestimated how much room my daughter would actually need to roll around (plus have additional room for all of our belongings). I’d suggest springing for the XL.

A purchase I have yet to make but really want to jump on for our next trip is quick-dry towels like these.

I love that they’re lightweight, portable, and help repel sand so that you’re not carrying half the beach back to your hotel room with you!

You shouldn’t underestimate how much wet stuff you’ll be carrying around after a beach day with your little one.

Truth be told, I actually had this bundle of wet bags in my Amazon cart, but foolishly ended up passing on them. Suffice it to say, I ended up wrapping up wet swimsuits/hats/etc. in towels and it was kind of a big, wet mess to lug around.

I’ll definitely appreciate the luxury of having these for our next beach escapade!

While I wouldn’t recommend packing a beach umbrella for travels involving a flight, it’s a great beach staple to have with you on, say, a road trip.

I have my eye on this beach umbrella and love its portability and the fact that it tilts.

Another beach accessory that’s better for more local travels is this handy popup tent.

While you wouldn’t want to lug it around an airport, it’s great to throw in the trunk for a road trip. It provides a spacious, shady, and comfortable environment for your kiddo(s) to crawl around and enjoy outside time while also protecting them from the sun.

I’d also recommend it for little ones who aren’t yet able to wear sunscreen, as they’ll have that added layer of protection.

Also, you can actually forego the beach umbrella if you wanted to, as baby will have plenty of shade in one of these. My sister-in-law used this a ton when her baby was under one.

Although I’ve filed pool floatie away under “fun add-ons”, I honestly can’t imagine not having this accessory for my little water baby.

We have this adorable (and super portable!) light pink floatie and I can definitely say this purchase has paid for itself and then some.

In fact, it’s now the highlight of all of our summer days by the pool.

Other than being super adorable and the perfect size for my 7-month-old daughter, this floatie is very compact and perfect for travel – I actually fit it and its accompanying canopy and pump into her carry-on suitcase! (And I also slip it into the storage sling at the bottom of our stroller when we walk to the pool/beach.)

It comes with a detachable canopy which can be handy for providing shade, though I tend to skip it in lieu of a swim hat.

While my little lady isn’t quite ready for her own sand-bucket set just yet, I’m definitely scoping out some fun options for the future!

I particularly like this cute sand-bucket set that I’m planning to grab for one of our next beach vacations.

While this is a beach-focused baby packing list, don’t forget to pack some comfy outfits to change your little one into after fun in the sun!

In truth, I’ve tried out many different clothing brands since my daughter was born, and I’ve finally found my tried-and-true favorites.

Here are my go-to brands and boutiques for baby clothes:

• Jamie Kay
• Kate Quinn
• Colored Organics
• Caden Lane
• Rylee & Cru
• Copper Pearl
• Little Sleepies (the best bamboo pjs)

These items aren’t (necessarily) beach-related, but you’ll likely want to pack at least a few of them. I brought the majority of the items below along on our trip to Mallorca.

• Baby’s passport – This is a non-negotiable when traveling internationally with your little one. You can actually book an appointment to apply for your baby’s passport as soon as he/she is born. (We applied when our daughter turned two months, since I wanted her to have her vaccinations first.) If you’re based in the US, this is what you’ll need to apply.
• Passport holder – I need to officially order one of these, but I have my eye on this cute passport holder for our next trip.
• Diapers – Many parents find that packing diapers is a waste of suitcase space and prefer picking them up on vacay, but I personally appreciate having our favorite brand along with us. We’re a Pampers-Swaddlers family.
• Wipes – Again, wipes are something you can easily pick up in your destination, but I swear by WaterWipes and use them exclusively.
• Car seat/stroller – Many people opt to rent a car seat when traveling, but I prefer bringing ours along with us, especially since it’s compatible with our stroller. We have the Nuna PIPA URBN + TRVL Travel System in hazelwood. It consists of a car seat and stroller that fit together. I love that the stroller is super lightweight and easy to fold up/stow away. Although we gate-checked ours, I’ve read that certain airlines allow it as carry-on in their overhead bins!
• Car seat carrying case – We purchased this super affordable carrying case for Mallorca and it was perfect for keeping our car seat protected while in transport.
• Carrier/Bjorn – This is my personal favorite baby carrier and the one we rely on for outdoor adventures like hiking. It’s suitable for babies up to one year old.
• Travel changing pad – Despite having splurged on the fancy Keekaroo Peanut Changer for the nursery, we pretty much exclusively use this cute travel changing pad. Fun Fact: I actually own three of them – one that lives in our room, one for our downstairs changing station, and one that lives in my office at my hubby’s business. (And yes, I’m actually planning to grab a fourth “on-the-go” one for the car/diaper bag/etc.)
• Crib sheet – Since I don’t like to lug a pack and play on the plane, I personally request a room with a crib when we travel with our daughter. (Heads Up: If you request a crib in Spain, you’ll actually get a pack and play, as that’s what they mean by “crib”.) That said, I’m picky about having a fitted sheet (which many European hotels don’t have), so I bring one from home. This muslin crib sheet of ours is a personal favorite.
• Pacifiers – I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without my baby’s “suckers”, as I call them. She’s obsessed with these Itzy Ritzy pacifiers and they’re the only ones she takes.
• Teethers – Teethers come in a crazy variety of shapes and sizes, so it’s hard to say which your baby will love. My daughter is personally obsessed wih Lil’ Llama and also likes her mini cactus teether and this handheld chicken teether. As for a stuffie with a teether, she’s besties with her Itzy Ritzy llama.
• Cloth Bibs – After experimenting with an embarrassingly large number of cloth bib brands when my baby was born, I finally found “the ones”! Needless to say, I’m obsessed with these muslin bandana-style bibs from Loulou Lollipop.
• Silicone bibs – Now that our girl has started solids and feedings have gotten a lot messier, I’m all about the silicone bib life. I’m staying brand-loyal with this cute silicone one from Loulou Lollipop.
• Baby detergent – One of my favorite mom travel hacks is to pour some baby detergent into a travel-size bottle and pack it along with my toiletries. We use All Baby.
• Diaper bag – I have an Elkie & Co convertible diaper bag. Although I think it’s super pretty and love the interior pockets, it’s not ideal as a backpack (although it can convert into one). I’m actually thinking of upgrading to this one in the backpack style.

*Please Note: I’ve also included items to pack if you’re bottle-feeding (as that’s what we do), but these items obviously won’t apply if you’re exclusively breastfeeding.

I didn’t include additional feeding items for older babies (like cups, bowls, spoons, etc), but let me know if you’d like me to link any new favorites.

Additional items to pack if you’re bottle-feeding:

• Bottles – We’ve been using MAM bottles since our baby was born.
• Formula – We personally love Bobbie formula. I bring it along on our travels since it’s not easy to find overseas.
• Portable bottle warmer – We brought this portable bottle warmer with us to Mallorca and it was super convenient for on-the-go feedings. Keep in mind that you’ll need to press and hold the lock button for five seconds and then press and hold the power button for five seconds to turn it on (and off). (We finally discovered this after much troubleshooting!)
• Formula dispenser – The portable bottle warmer I linked above actually comes with a formula dispenser, but here’s another that would work great.
• Portable bottle cleaning kit –If your baby is bottle-fed, you won’t want to be without this portable bottle cleaning kit. This made cleanings so convenient for us while traveling (particularly without having a kitchen in our accommodations). It even comes with a nifty little foldable drying rack so the bottles can stand as they dry.

I hope this baby packing list will come in handy as you prep for that exciting beach getaway with your little one!

In the meantime, what else can I link to on this beach vacation packing list for baby to make your trip easier? Or do you have some general questions about traveling with a baby that I can answer for you?

Let me know in the comments below!