Beach Babies
Before family life you might have been a beach babe soaking up the sun from dawn until dusk, but now with a child in tow it’s time to head for the shade.To help you Jill Barker has put together a ‘safety in the sun’ holiday guide to ensure the whole family has a happy, healthy holiday and mum doesn’t end up feeling frazzled and fraught.
Barker comments, “Whether you are a new mum going away with your baby for the first time or if you are taking your child to hotter climes, it is important to be prepared so you don’t get caught out in the heat. Remember your child won’t be able to tell you when they’ve had too much sun, you have to watch out for them.”
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Looking after your child in the sun
Block it out
 Small children have very delicate skin, which means that they can burn easily. Make sure they wear a high factor sun cream at least SPF 30 or sunblock, which will protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Apply sun cream 20 minutes before going out in the sun and ensure that you reapply it every two hours, especially after paddling in the sea!
Head for the Shade
Keep your child out of the sun between 11am- 3pm, as this is when it is at its hottest. If you are heading for a day out, take along a big bottle of water to rehydrate parched mouths.
Cover Up
Dress your child in loose fitting organic cotton clothing that will keep him cool and don’t forget to put a high factor sun cream underneath clothing as harmful rays can penetrate cotton. Alternatively try dressing him in a sun suit and sun hat with UV protection, which provides protection from the sun from head to toe.
Cool Dude
Children have sensitive eyes, so it is really important that they wear sunglasses when they are playing outside to shield their eyes from UV rays. Don’t put sunglasses on inside as it is likely that your child won’t like them, instead pop them on when you are outside so he/she can appreciate the benefits.
Busy Beaches
Always keep an eye on your kids whilst they are playing on the beach and make sure that you don’t doze off in the sun, you don’t want to lose sight of them in herds of holiday makers.
Take it in turns
When you’re on the beach, take it in turns with your husband to keep an eye on the kids, so that you can sneak in some ‘me time’.
Splashing around
If your child is a water baby, invest in some UV swim nappies – they’ll keep their bottom safe whilst splashing around. Don’t forget a sun hat to give your child extra sun protection.
Looking after your newborn in the sun
Babies under 6 months must stay completely out of the sun. Baby’s skin is so thin and delicate that your little one can even burn through sun block. It could only take between 10-15 minutes for skin to burn.
If you are out and about ensure that your pram has a parasol attached to it and that your baby always wears a sun hat and lightweight, loose organic cotton clothing during the day to keep him as protected as possible.
May 2008
Jill Barker is the founder of Green Baby
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