The summer is upon us, and while this is a very exciting time because it means sun, barbecues, and beaches, it is also a time to ensure you are responsible in the sunlight. For parents with young children as Uncle Ben would say: “With great power comes great responsibility”. We as adults, are able to care of ourselves without having to rely on anyone or anything, but children can’t do that just yet – they need you.
As the weather starts to heat up and we see glimpses of the big golden thing in the sky, it’s important you make sure that you have all the things you need to keep your child safe.
Here are just a few of the best bits of advice:
Keep them hydrated
We all know that being out in the sun, or just general hot weather can make us really thirsty. This is because all the sweat we are losing is essentially vital water from our bodies, that’s why it’s so important you keep topping yourself up. While your little one may not tell you they want a drink, you need to make sure they’re getting some regularly. In some serious cases, lack of liquids can result in sunstroke, along with an excruciating headache, so ensure you always carry a bottle of fresh water around with you when you leave the house.
The appropriate accessories
When in the sun, you don’t want your child to be struggling to see because it’s so bright out, as this is why we wear sunglasses. There are tons of children’s shades you can buy, but sometimes young children don’t like the idea of wearing them as they may find it annoying and don’t keep them on. The alternative to this is sun hats. My Little Duckling has many wonderful products on offer that not only protect your children from the negative effects of sunlight, but tune into their fun side with an array of different colours and designs to suit your child.
The strongest SPF
SPF, otherwise known as sun-cream is an absolute essential. Child’s skin is so much more sensitive than ours the younger they are, so if you know that they’re going to be in the sun, then they need to have cream applied. The strongest you can get is factor 50 – it’s a much thicker formula than the others. Make sure that you apply it all over the face, not forgetting their ears, as well as the rest of their body. Even if the sun isn’t necessarily shining because it’s behind clouds, its rays can still be very harmful, so apply SPF regardless of whether it looks sunny outside or not.
Keep in the Shade
When the sun is at it’s strongest it’s recommended to keep kids sheltered in the shade. Always bring a pop up tent to the beach and on holiday, especially if you have a young baby. A teepee makes a fun shelter from the sun in the garden.
These are some of the most important areas to cover to ensure that your little bundle of joy stays safe and protected through the summer period. As long as you pay attention at all times, there’s no reason you should have any issues.
What are your tips for protecting children in the sun?
Lots of great ideas – being sun safe is always a high priority
I live in a tropical country and it gets even more hot during the summer. Thanks for these reminders! I make sure my kids drink enough water per day, and I always remind them to bring their own umbrellas and apply sun screen.