Pop-Up Cabana: Good Idea?

[August Mom]

I wasn't sure where to post this question, so here it is by default. We are planning a beach vacation when DS will be 12 months. DS is very fair and, if he takes after mom and dad, will burn very easily. Consequently, I've been thinking about how best to protect him from the sun. I saw some cabanas in the One Step Ahead catalog and in the BabyCenter store. If you've used one or have friends who have used one, please let me know what you think. If you have any brand recommendations, please let me know that as well. Also, do you think it would be better to get a small cabana just for DS or would I get more use out of a larger, family-cabana? TIA

Below are examples of cabanas I'm considering:

http://store.babycenter.com/product/gear/activity_equipment/arches_and_gyms/8086

http://store.babycenter.com/product/safety_health_and_babycare/safety/safety_products_for_toddlers/3777

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1289&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C117%2C43%2C45&KickerID=64135&KICKER

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=1212&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=1212

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=1213&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=1213

[egoldber]

Well, your average 12 month old will NOT sit still in one of those tiny cabanas. Even if your babe isn't running around, they are likely to be crawling up a storm. If anything, I would get a family size one. But you're probably better off with a sunhat, sunscreen and protective clothing.

Is this a car trip or are you flying? If flying, I wouldn't bother.

HTH,

[August Mom]

We're driving (we're not brave enough to fly with a 12 month old :)) and meeting my SIL and BIL. Their DS will be 9 months old at the time. We'll be on Hilton Head Island in a time share near the beach.

What brand and items of protective clothing do you recommend? We'll have sunglasses and a hat. What else?

[egoldber]

Some people really like clothing made with Solarveil, which is one of the UV resistant fabrics. Personally, I think that's overkill. A T-shirt/cover-up and very lightweight pants/long shorts sould be sufficient. That is what we used with Sarah in Jamaica and it was fine. Actually, I mainly just let her run around in a swim diaper and a hat and she was fine. I just made sure to really slather her with 30 SPF sunscreen every 2-3 hours and immediately after going in the pool or the ocean. She had no problems with the sun.

HTH,