When the sunshine comes out families often want to make the most of it. Packing up picnics for a trip to the beach or park is a traditional way to enjoy the warmer weather.
But days out don't come without their risks. Most of us already know to slap on the sunscreen for children as they play outside.
But what are the risks for a baby? According to skin experts babies with their delicate skin can be at much greater risk of being burned.
And those who are affected when they are tiny have an increased risk of developing skin cancer as they get older. So since babies are much more prone to sunburn than older kids, it's especially important to protect them from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Dr Megha Tollefson, M.D., a Mayo Clinic paediatric dermatologist, warned: "Sunburns can be very painful. They can be a setup for infection if they're fairly severe."
While sunburns are thought to be short-term concerns, there are also long-term risks to sun exposure. The more UV exposure a child gets — especially the younger in life that it starts — and the more sunburns they have, the higher their risk for skin cancer later in life," Dr. Tollefson says.
Sun protection in the first 20 years of life is the most crucial for protecting against long-term skin cancer risk. So what is the best way of keeping your child safe in the sun?
- Avoid peak times: Dr. Tollefson says sometimes it is better just not to go out if possible. She said for infants, it's best to avoid peak sun hours from 10am to 4pm.
- Cover baby: She advises if you have to take a baby outside it is best to cover the baby with shade or long-sleeved clothing and a hat.
- Use sunscreen: Dr. Tollefson also recommends using sunscreen on areas of exposed skin. "We would recommend that, at that age, parents use the sunscreens that have physical blockers rather than chemical blockers because they're better for sensitive skin," she says. Look for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide when selecting a sunscreen for baby. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours or right after swimming or sweating.
The NHS has also advice on both what to do and what not to do when the sunshine hits. NHS Berkshire has drawn up a list of dos and don't for parents.
How to dress your baby in the heat?
According to NHS Berkshire babies should always be kept in the shade as their skin is still so delicate and can burn easily. Dress them in light clothing such as just a cotton vest and don’t be afraid on a very hot day to have them just in a nappy.
Should I give my baby water?
It also warns breastfed babies should not be given any water, as breastmilk naturally adapts to the hot weather and becomes more watery. But on a very hot day a formula fed baby can be given a very small amount of cool boiled water.
What is the best nighttime temperature?
Ideally the room temperature for your baby at night should be between 16 and 20 degrees. In this country during a heatwave it can be very difficult to keep the temperature down, says the NHS.
Close the curtains to stop the sun shining though in the day and also keep the windows closed to stop the hot air coming inside. A good tip is to have a room fan (not pointed anywhere near the baby) with a bottle of ice in front to circulate cooler air.
But what not to do?
According to NHS Berkshire there are some things that you should never do to protect a baby from the heat. Never cover the pram with any sort of blanket or even a muslin as it causes the temperature in the pram to rise significantly. Invest in a parasol that you can attach to the pram handle and move around depending on where the sun is. This allows air flow which will keep your baby cooler.
