PROTECTING BABIES AND TODDLERS IN THE SUN
Damaging ultraviolet sun rays present a risk of skin cancer (melanoma), sunburn and heatstroke, some of the dangers caused by the hot sun and just a few of the reasons for protecting children as much as possible whilst they play in the sun. So how can you keep your children safe during those hot summer months?
Avoid the midday sun. Try to avoid taking your children out when the sun is at its peak, which is generally between 11am and 3pm and completely avoid exposing babies under 6 months to direct sunlight where possible. Should you need to venture out during peak hours, it’s advised that children should wear light-weight loose fitting clothing complete with sun hats that cover their ears and back of their necks.
Attach a buggy sun shade. When taking children out and about in a pushchair, pram or back carrier it’s important to shade and protect them with a suitable parasol or sun shade. The Safetots Buggy Sun Shade is multifunctional and clips easily to most buggies, pushchairs, playpens and car windows. With a UPF50+ this versatile Safetots sunshade provides the ultimate protection from harmful ultraviolet sun rays.
Attach a sunshade to car windows. If you are travelling by car ensure the car is cool before putting the children in and setting off. Invest in car sun shades such as the Dino Sun Stoppers 2 Pack Baby Sun Shade and protect both front and rear facing children from sun and glare. Car sun shades attach in seconds and fit most cars, mini vans and SUVs.
Apply sun screen. Apply sun screen to young skin, 15 to 30 minutes before heading outdoors and every 2 hours there-after ensuring good coverage of the back of the neck and shoulders. If your child ventures into water, it is recommended that you apply a water resistant sun screen and re-apply sun lotion once they are out of the water. For children a sun screen with no less than SPF 15 with UVA and UVB protection is advised. However a water resistant SPF 50+ provides the ultimate and best protection for young skin, keeping them safer for longer.
Stay hydrated. Most importantly, make sure children stay hydrated, frequently offer them plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. If it proves challenging getting your infant to drink water, try making homemade fruit juice ice lollies, or offer diluted fruit juice. If your baby is still breastfeeding they may require shorter and more frequent feeds. Offer bottle fed babies cooled boiled water in addition to their normal milk feeds.
There are many products available, designed to protect children from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays:
The Safetots Kids Sun Shelter – UV Protection Beach And Garden Tent provides the ultimate ultraviolet protection for children at the beach, park or simply in the garden. With a UPF30, this spacious sun shelter keeps children safe in the sun whilst ensuring space for all the family. The Safetots Kids Sun Shelter is durable and robust when erected yet folds into a small travel storage bag when packed away, designed for ease of packing for family holidays abroad.
The Koo-DI Pack-It Sun and Sleep Stroller Cover fits most pushchairs, strollers & buggy's (including 3-Wheeler's) and is a compact "Pack-it Universal Sun and Sleep Shade", the ideal item to keep in the basket of your stroller or in your change bag at all times to protect your little one from the sun. Its blocks 93% of all UVA and UVB rays.
The Diono Solar Eclipse Sun Shade is a 2 in 1 car window shade that can either provide full shade or screen the shade but retain the view. This two in one roll up window shade provides full shade protection of UPF50+. The Diono Solar Max Car Window Sun Shade Pack Of 2 provides shade to both back, side windows. The Diono sun shades fix to windows with either suction cups or window hooks and come complete with a button rewind.
The Dreambaby Clip On Stroller Fan features soft foam fins, a flexible neck, on/off switch and an alligator clip. This clip on fan can be attached to most strollers, cribs and playpens and will keep your child cool during the summer months.
The LittleLife Family Beach Shelter is lightweight and simple to erect, provides sun protection for all the family and comes complete with a compact carry case with a shoulder strap for ease of travelling. This Little Life Beach tent is ideal for taking with you on beach holidays or simply to the park. Providing protection of up to UPF50+ this sun tent provides the perfect shelter for your child during the hot weather.
The Littlelife Arc 2 Travel Cot And Sunshade provides a safe and comfortable sleep zone for your child, complete with a sunshade this compact cot provides the perfect environment for your child to sleep safely away from home, on holiday or in the garden. The Littlelife Travel Cot has insect proof mesh on the sides and top, is easy to erect and fold away and packs up into its own carry case when not in use.
The UV Shirt, Shorts and Sun Hat can be worn in and out of the water to provide the ultimate sun protection for your child, ideal for holidays or playing in the park. Fast drying swim and sun wear with protection up to UPF50+, the sun-hat, complete with a back flap further protects the neck as well as providing shade to the face thanks to its flat peak.
The Nsauk 3 In 1 All Weather Protector fits most infant car seats and travel systems. This lightweight and portable multi layered all weather protector provides UV protection from the sun thanks to the UV sunshade. The splashproof rain cover provides protection in the rain and conveniently zips away when no longer required. Comes complete with a thick mesh layer for ventilation and provides further protection from insects.
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