BABY STEPS WITH ÁINE: Hi everyone. For those of you who are new to my column, I’m Áine. I’m 26, Donegal born and bred and I have been living in London for the past 4 years. I’m a first time mum to my 10 month old daughter Ava.
Summer is finally here and fingers crossed this glorious weather sticks around for another while.
I’ve been doing some research recently on protecting Ava from the sun as we’re off on holiday in a few months. So, I thought I’d share my findings with you all.
Whether you too are off on a sunny holiday abroad or sticking closer to home, hopefully some of these tips might help you too.
Keep them in the shade:
You may already know this but baby’s temperature regulating systems aren’t fully developed. Because of this, they’re not as efficient as adults in keeping cool. Keeping them in the shade is important to prevent overheating.
This is sometimes easier said than done. Especially when your little one becomes more mobile. Pram umbrellas and pop-up beach shelters are a great way of achieving this. Keep in mind that the sun is at its highest and hottest between 11am and 3pm. Maybe plan some indoor activities or lunch during these times.
Dress them appropriately:
As if we needed an excuse to buy more clothes! Loose, lightweight clothes are considered the best option. Choose cotton clothing as they absorb perspiration better than synthetic fabrics. Wearing light colours will reflect the heat which in turn will help prevent your little one from overheating.
Babies scalps are very easily burnt so sun hats are a must. If possible, try and buy one with a wide rim to keep their little faces covered. It is an absolute mission getting Ava to keep a hat on. Sunhats with ties are great if this is a problem for you too.
If you’re thinking of taking your baby to the beach or pool, UV swimwear are recommended. We’ve opted for some short, lightweight UV wetsuits from Next to give Ava some extra coverage.
Sun Cream:
Did you know that sunblock and sunscreen were two different thing? This was news to me.
Sunscreen is one of the more commonly used type of sun protectant. It filters, or, as the name suggests, screens the suns UV rays keeping most rays out but letting some in. On the other hand, sunblock physically reflects the sun rays from the skin, blocking the rays completely.
Sunblock is the safest option for your baby. There are a few points to take on-board when choosing your sun cream. Make sure it is specifically for baby’s with a SPF no lower than 30. It should block both UVA and UVB rays. A water proof sunblock may be more beneficial especially if you’re are planning on beach or pool visits. Sunblock should be applied liberally every two hours to all areas of skin exposed to the sun. The neck, ears, backs of knees and armpits are the mostly commonly forgotten area’s so don’t forget these!
If your baby’s skin is very sensitive it might be worth spending a little bit extra on a good brand. We went for the Soltan baby sun cream from Boots and thankfully it has not caused any irritation to Ava’s sensitive skin.
Hydration:
A flushed face, skin that’s warm to the touch, restlessness and rapid breathing are some signs of dehydration. Babies over 6 months can start drinking water to help stay hydrated. However, if your baby is younger than this give extra breast milk or formula to replace any lost fluids. If you’re struggling to get your little one to drink more fluids, ice cubes, homemade fruit ice lollies and fruits like watermelon are a fun way of increasing their water intake on those hotter days.
Ava perfecting her summer pose.
In the unfortunate event that your little one gets sunburn, here’s some tips on what to do:
- Call your GP or allocated health visitor or nurse for advice.
- Give them plenty of fluids.
- Soothe the sunburned area. Soak a clean flannel or muslin square in cool water, wring it out, and gently place it on the sunburned area for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day.
- Apply a water-based moisturising lotion, aloe vera gel or calamine lotion to relieve itching, which can happen when the burn starts to peel.
- Monitor the burn. If it gets worse seek more medical attention.
Have a lovely Saturday and thanks for reading,
Áine x
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