Top Tips ... Keeping Children Safe in the Sun

The mercury is rising and this week looks set to give us some Vitamin D and some much needed sunshine!

It's a great time to get outside, enjoy the glorious weather and bask in the sunshine!  However, if you've got little ones, you just need to be extra careful to ensure they stay sunsafe.  To help, we've pulled together our top tips for keeping babies and toddlers safe in the sun.

1. Wear Sun Screen

Even if your baby is going to be in the shade, it is really important that they are wearing sun cream – even when it is cloudy.  Equally important is to re-apply every few hours, or straight away if they've been for a paddle.  

A baby's skin is so delicate and thin so opt for a sun screen that is specifically aimed at your children and which is at least SPF 30 and contains maximum UVA and UVB protection to block out the harmful sun rays.

Top buy: Evy 

Evy comes in an easy to apply mousse which is gentle, protective, highly efficient and extra water resistant making it a top choice for parents.  The formula is hypoallergenic and counteracts sun eczema and strengthens the skin bar, which gives an efficient protection even against chlorinated and salt water.

2. Keep Hydrated

Equally important is to ensure that your child keeps hydrated when in the sunshine.  

Young children love to run around and keep active and this can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  It is therefore super important to keep fluids up.

For breastfed babies, they will want to feed more in the heat and with bottle fed babies, it is a good idea to offer cooled boiled water in between feeds to increase their fluid intake.  For toddlers and children, make sure there is easy access to water and other soft drinks available so that they can keep topping up! And fruit and salad will also help to prevent dehydration.

3. Always Pack a Sun Hat

Ensuring your little ones wear a sun hat which covers their face and neck when they are in the sunshine is a great way to keep them sunsafe and shaded.  If your child is averse to wearing a hat, try encouraging them by wearing one yourself or buy a hat which has chin straps which they can't take off.

Top Buy: Lorna Murray Child's Capri Hat and Briar Baby Sun Hats

4. Keep them Covered

Another great tip for keeping your children safe in the sun is to ensure that they are wearing suitable clothing.  It is highly recommended to keep baby's and toddler's arms and legs covered when in the sun to avoid too much sun exposure.  Wearing rash guards when they are in the water is a great way to allow them to enjoy a splash about whilst ensuring that they are protected, and equally, loose cotton clothing is ideal for when you are out and about.

Top Buy: Folpetto Rash Guards 

5. Stay in the Shade

And finally, try to get in the habit of staying out of the sun between the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest.  Taking your child inside during this period is best but if that's not possible, ensure that they are in a shaded place such as under a parasol or in a sun shade tent to keep them protected.  Sun stroke is very dangerous and it is really easy for a child to get it if they have too much sun exposure and they are not used to it.

Top Buy: Business and Pleasure Beach Tents

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Wishing you sunshine all the time xxx