Hi all, I know sea water is not good for anyone. But how can I stop Vanilla swallowing it fully? She will chase the waves and by doing this obviously gets seawater in her mouth. She does not always swallow it, as she does shake her head and kind of spits it out. Have normal water to show her what she should drink and to try and teach tight from wrong. But it is very difficult to be at the right place, as I obviously want her to have fun and not totally say no to her. Timing is very difficult with a nearly six month old. To quick for her own good... Especially after yesterday's stealing of thongs from some kids and then their ball and just too top up off wanted to help them build their sandcastle in her way...we all know how that worked out... Appreciate any advice re:seawater....
What I did with Dozer was let him play about 15 minutes in the waves then I would take him for a walk or let him dig in the sand for about 30 minutes and all the while providing him with plenty of drinkable water... After 3 or 4 times we would go for a long walk then rest for at least an hour, again providing him plenty of drinking water. We did no more than 3 times a day. He never had any complications as a result but as the day got later he slowly lost interest in the water and was more interested in exploring the beach.
Being from the UK, I still find that hilarious to read! he he Lilly's first few visits to the beach were the same and resulted in quite a purge - both vomiting and watery diarrhoea - luckily still whilst we were out and in woodland walking and NOT in the car on the way home. I don't think we specifically taught her not to drink it, I think she learned herself. We do sometimes see her drinking what I would have thought "seawater" but in fact I think must be mixed river/sea water or rainwater/sea water which is more palatable and this doesn't affect her at all. I would be pretty cautious with little ones in particular though. I think it was one of @Dexter 's beach-buddies that ended up quite seriously ill at the vet on a drip after drinking a load of sea water.
Thanks I don't actually think she drinks it just more when she explores she gets a bit in. I will just keep plenty off water with me (more than currently)...
Going to the beach 2-3 times a week his whole life, Brogan never ever ever...ever... learned that salt water was not good to drink. EVERY time he'd run into the waves and dip his head down to take a big old drink, indeed take a gulp, then turn his head to me as if to accuse me of putting salt in "his" water. He never learned...but it also never made him sick. So Vanilla may learn (or not) but not sure how actually harmful it is, as long as the sea/ocean where you are is clean enough to swim in.
