In the last article regarding the summer holidays, we spoke about the safety of our kids, starting from what is the best holiday destination to choose with a small child, which transportation to take best and what should we pack in the first aid kit for children. Read the complete article here.
Today we speak about one of the most important and at the same time, problematic things to do in the summer: protecting children’s skin.
Sun safety can be a huge hassle when you have young kids. Applying sunscreen seems to take forever, especially the ones that are toothpaste thick. It can get in your kid’s eyes and on your clothes because the ordeal is like wrestling a crocodile. Sand + sunscreen = hell. Kids hate hats. Beaches don’t have trees. The list goes on.
In the case of the children, it is very important – even necessary! Even if you love to “shine on the ebony”, children should not sunbathe. Not only is this unhealthy (probably I do not have to convince anyone about skin cancer), it badly affects the complexion, but in children, it is simply much easier to burn and what is related to it – pain and suffering.
The UV radiation damages the skin by accelerating the aging process. If you do not believe, look for a photo of Bill McElligott on the internet – a truck driver who only exposed half the face to the sun for 28 years.
Therefore, firstly, children should avoid the open sun. Whenever possible, look for a shadow. Secondly, always before going out into the sun, we should coat the child’s skin with a cream with a filter adapted to the child’s age. For children, SPF filters are recommended, min. 30, and below the age of 3 SPF 50. Choose (especially for babies) rather than mineral filters, avoid chemical penetrating filters.
I do not need to remind you that during the stay in the sun, the application of the cream should be repeated, especially if the child is playing in the water. Even if the inscription on the cream says “waterproof”.
When planning a beach vacation, it is worth considering buying clothes with a UV filter for the youngest children. Contrary to appearances, not all clothes 100% stop radiation.
How to protect children’s eyes in the sun
The eyes should also be protected from the sun. We willingly put on sunglasses and what about kids? For older children, sunglasses can successfully protect their eyes. It is important to buy sunglasses with filters and approvals. However, in infants and children up to 2-3 years old it is not recommended to use sunglasses because they reduce the field of view and hurt the development of the eyesight. So how do you protect these tiny eyes? It is best to put on a baseball cap or hat with a brim.
The best sun protection for children under 6 months old
If your child is younger than 6 months old, it’s best to keep him or her out of the sun as much as possible, or to cover up your baby as much as possible with long sleeves and pants to reduce sun exposure. But if you and your infant need to go on an outdoor adventure, use a sunblock that has an SPF rating of 50+ and features titanium and zinc oxide. There are numerous hypoallergenic products on the market that use these safe sun-blocking compounds, and these may be a good choice for your family. Whether you go the organic, non-organic or hypoallergenic route, make sure to apply sunblock to your infant 15 minutes before going outside, then every two hours, to ensure your baby’s skin stays safe.
The best sun protection for children ages 6 months to 5 years old
When spending time outside with your toddler or preschooler, continue to choose SPF 30+ sunblocks with zinc and titanium oxide. Pay special attention to your child’s burn-prone areas like the ears, nose, shoulders, and back of the neck, which are especially vulnerable to the sun. Steer clear of sunscreens that use chemical formulas to achieve long-lasting sun protection, which may or may not provide better protection but undoubtedly feature more chemicals to bolster this claim.
The best sun protection for children ages 5+
Once kids hit school age, they’re much more likely to spend extended periods outside. At age 5, many skin sensitivities go away, which leads some parents to begin using chemical sunscreen formulas rather than blocks.
There haven’t been any studies to date that show chemical sunscreens are unsafe in the long-term, and the FDA continues to OK these products as sun protection. However, the jury is still out on whether chemicals that convert sunlight to surface heat are good for a kid’s sensitive skin.
The takeaway: Go with sunblock at least until your child is 5 years old, if not longer, as an added skin precaution.
An appropriate dress in the sun and heat
The child’s skin cover is also an appropriate dress.
A very important aspect of protecting a child against sunburn and sunstroke is the appropriate clothing. The child should wear clothes made of breathable fabric in a light color. It is a good idea to buy a trip with fabrics with a UV filter (you should look for signs on clothing labels). Do not let your child wear tight clothing that will constrain the movements and wipe the skin, causing additional irritation. An essential element of clothing is a headgear – also airy in bright shades. It is worth it that a hat should cover not only the head but also the face and neck of the child. We put on the headgear when the child is in the sun.
Avoid covering when the toddler is playing in the shade – the child’s head is a large surface that plays an important role in heat exchange and body temperature regulation. In the heat, let’s dress the child like yourself, because she’s hot too. Regularly check the temperature of the child on the neck and react when it is too high or low to undress or dressing a toddler.
Child sunburn or sunburn – what to do?
In case we suspect that our toddler is overheated, we should go home. I change my sweaty toddler into dry clothes. We do not cool rapidly but gradually to avoid colds. If a child gets a sunburn, we must first of all:
- cool the burned area on the skin – cool compressing (for example, a wet diaper) will work best
- call the pediatrician if your child is under age 1 or if she’s older than 1 and has blisters, severe pain, lethargy, or a high fever
do not apply grease to oily creams, or cover it with a bandage - increase his or her fluid intake to facilitate healthy healing
- it is recommended to use scalding preparations available in pharmacies
- after first aid and until the burn has healed, avoid sun exposure
Hydration of a baby
It is very important to give your child fluids (especially water), especially when there are high temperatures outside. Children up to 6 months of age who are exclusively breastfed may be more likely to ask for milk – do not refuse to breastfeed. Older children should be accustomed to drinking water and served it in small portions throughout the day. A toddler aged 1-3 years should drink about 1300 ml of liquids a day, including water.
I hope those easy to use tips might be useful for you and your family.
I wish you al safe and happy holiday season making life lasting memories with your kids!
