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Question: baby at the beach...
So we bought an umbrella yesterday and covered Bella in sunscreen and took her on her first beach trip, it was a huge FAIL! 
I'm sad to say but it's true. The umbrella didn't really do anything except get in the way. She just wanted to nurse the entire time and be held. In all honesty, she's a pretty high needs girl, I'm not sure if it's because she's a preemie or what. DH says "she's just like you, she needs a lot of love", true fact! DH and I were thinking about going back to walmart and buying a beach tent and trying that (that way I can get in there with her), do you think that would work?
DH and I are trying to figure out if we should even have her at the beach. Do you think it's appropriate if she's not in the sun and has sunscreen on? Being a new parent is hard work! You are in constant struggle as to what's best for her and if we are making the right decision... Her MD said sunscreen is 100% fine as long as she's not in direct sunlight. She says most places say not to use it on babies less than 6 months because they dont want the liability of people leaving their small babies in the direct sun.
Re: Question: baby at the beach...
We have been using a Quik Shade tent. Sometimes they sell them at Costco. You can even buy side panels to keep the sun out. We go to the beach a lot, and this has been wonderful to have. Everyone can fit under it, and we set up the pack n play in case baby falls asleep. We took DD to the beach when she was about 12 weeks old and just kept her under the tent out of direct sunlight the whole time. At that time we did not put sunscreen on her. Our Dr. recommended this mineral based sunscreen, which we put on her now when she's out in the sun. I think it's a great idea to get out of the house and do something fun with your family. I am continually learning how to do things while toting baby along through trial and error! It takes time to figure out what works best for you.
I'm sorry. Traveling with a baby is really hard. I don't know what would help. I think babies want to breastfeed all the time when they are in an unknown environment. It comforts her. You may know more as a nurse about all that. As a mom, I can just say that you are not alone.
I'm not sure about the tent. Would you have to worry about wind blowing it around? If not, it's worth a try.
Newlyweds since 2007
It's fine to have a baby at the beach, don't worry about 'inappropriate vs appropriate'...as long as it's not an ordeal for YOU and hubby. I live across the road from the beach here and Maya's been a beach bebeh since she was a wee one (ok, a wee'er one than she is now).
I'd find either a cool shady spot or try the beach tent, yeah. As long as the tent isn't stuffy and hot. Sunscreen her up, make sure she's not too hot and sit her in shade. Get yourself in a comfy beach chair, a good book and sit back and nurse her if you have to...
I hear you re. having a 'high needs baby'. Maya was the same. I would look at other women's babies, laying there gurgling contentedly on a playmat or the like and I would wonder why Maya never allowed me to put her down like that. She was always wanting to be ON me and she wasn't shy in letting me know it when I tried to get out of THAT sometimes lol. That's why I took to wearing her. It WAS hard to take her out and about because she fussed a lot and wanted to nurse a lot too.
It really DOES get easier hon. I often wonder if babies such as ours are just frustrated because their mobility is so limited. I know that Maya was a lot happier once she could crawl (and then walk) around and didn't rely on me so much to move her around for her.
Also, I agree with the pp re. she is in unfamiliar surroundings and is comfort-feeding too. Her times might be a little out of whack too ie jet-lag/change of time zones.
I guess I would just worry about the heat. If she's looking flushed or getting really fussy, it's time to go.
It's not something I would have done with Marino at that age, but I wouldn't have travelled with him either (we were told to quarantine him until he was 4 months old and then limit exposure to other people through RSV season, so different scenario). He was very high maintenence for a long time as well - I basically had to hold or wear him 24/7 for a good 6 months.
We took Sean Patrick to the beach in Hawaii when he was 2 months and it was a fail too
We used sunscreen (it was an Austrailian brand recommended by our pedi, it's approved for 2 months and up) AND we had a tent but he just didn't love it. Dan took him and put his feet in the water, he didn't love that either. I ended up walking around with him in the stroller while Dan packed up our stuff.
I think they are just too young at this point to "enjoy" anything but to be near mama and her all-you-can-eat buffets
Not sure if it's about being appropriate as opposed to just doing what you want and can handle. I think the tent would be helpful though if you do want to give it another go. Good luck!