Baby Talk - 7/6/17

If you take your baby to the “real” beach this summer, it is so important to protect them from the damaging rays of the sun. Not a problem with the studio set!

Pediatricians do not recommend using sunscreen on babies under six months of age. Since a baby’s skin is less mature than that of older children, exposure to the chemicals contained in sunscreen can increase the risk of side effects. The best advice is to keep baby in the shade and out of direct sunlight, creating it yourself, if necessary, with an umbrella or stroller canopy.

Dressing baby in protective clothing, including a hat with a brim and sunglasses, is essential. Baseball caps may be cute, but do not protect baby’s ears and neck. Lightweight clothing keeps baby from overheating, since their ability to sweat is not yet fully developed. Sweating allows older children and adults to cool down in hot weather. It is important, therefore, to avoid dehydration when baby is out in the heat and usual feedings of breast milk or formula should remain on schedule.

If your baby is older than six months, pediatricians recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Be generous in your application of sunscreen and reapply every two hours, or more frequently if your child is in the water. Sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, hypoallergenic ingredients, are less irritating to a young child’s skin. Prevention is still the key, so minimize your child’s sun exposure between 10am and 2pm, the sun’s peak hours. Research has shown that one bad sunburn as a child can double the risk of developing melanoma later in life.

What other summer sun prevention ideas have worked for you? Please, share.