It's hard to believe that summer is almost here. As summer approaches us we instantly think of spending more time outdoors. These outdoor activities may include swimming at the community pool, visiting the neighborhood playground, watching sport activities, attending family picnics, etc. As we and our children participate in these activities or events we have a tendency to forget about how to protect our children against exposure from the sun. There are many ways to do so through the usage of sunscreen as well as other methods. Providing this type of protection can vary according to the child's age (i.e. infant, toddler, preschooler and older).
Newborns (Birth to 6 Months Old) Sun Safety Tips
It is exciting to be a parent of a newborn. You want your child to have the opportunity to go outdoors, but at the same time you want to make sure that your little one does not get a sunburn, etc. Listed below are some tips on how to keep your little one protected from the sun:
- Should NOT be exposed directly to the sun
- Should NOT wear sunscreen (except for face and hands)
With infants as well as children ages 2 years and older, you have more options in keeping your child safe from the sun in comparison to newborns. Listed below are some tips on how to keep your child safe from the sun:
- Avoid outdoor activity from 10AM to 4PM
- Wear a hat that shades their neck, ears, eyes, and scalp.
- Wear UV sunglasses.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that covers the child's arms and legs.
- Wear sunscreen that has a SPF or sun protection factor of 20 or greater.
- Apply the sunscreen 30 minuter before going outdoors.
- Reapply the sunscreen every 80 to 120 minutes (make sure to read the directions on the back since sunscreens vary in reapplication times)
- Use a sunscreen that has UVA and UVB (the two different ultraviolet rays, A and B)
- If possible, look for clothing that has sunscreen protection already incorporated into it
There are many things that we as parents can do to keep our children safe in the sun this summer. Remember to keep the list of tips stated above the next time you head out to the pool, playground, etc. If we help keep our children safe from the sun now,
