Living in Britain, we like to make sure we take advantage of the 5 or so days of sunshine we get every year, and I’m sure you want your little one to join you outside soaking in the glorious weather. However, you have to be very careful as at early age, the sun can be very damaging to baby’s skin and overall health. It is advised that when he/she is still tiny it’s best to keep them out of the sun altogether, only once they get a little older should you let them join you out and about in the nice weather. Even so, it is best to keep their skin fully protected, and make sure they’re wearing a nice big sun hat to keep cool. Even with these measures in place, it is not recommended to take your little one out in the sun while it is at its hottest (11am-3pm).
When purchasing sun cream there are a couple of things to remember; firstly, you should apply sun cream that is at very least factor 25, and also make sure that it has a broad spectrum with a 4 or 5 star rating. (That will make sure it covers UVA and UVB protection). When applying the sun cream try to use much more than you would on yourself, a big dollop usually does the trick, making sure to cover all areas of skin not covered by clothes or a hat. Try to apply at least 30min before contact with the sun, and remember to re-apply every few hours.
When out and about try to keep your baby in the shade as much as you can, perhaps under a tree or take a large sun canopy with you to the beach. The best types of clothes for this time of year are lightweight closely woven fabric items such as cotton; these will allow your babies skin to breathe easier and help to keep them cool.
Sunglasses are a must for your baby as they will help protect their growing sensitive eyes. There is no need to purchase expensive glasses, but ones that work well and are durable are most recommended.
If using a pram/pushchair while you are out, remember to use the sun canopy to block out any intense rays, also try to get a sun parasol to attach to the pushchair, this will help to block out further sun rays that the canopy itself misses. Most pushchairs have parasols available as accessories, or you can buy universal ones that attach to most pram bodies.
Pushchair Parasols