How Can I Protect My Baby’s Skin in Summer?

Babies require attention throughout all seasons. On the other hand, the summer's high temperatures can bring their own set of problems.

The high temperatures of summer can offer their own set of problems, which may make your infant fussy and uncomfortable. If your infant has a heat rash, is sweating excessively, has flushed cheeks, or wet hair, it's likely that he or she is overheated. Your infant has to be calm and content all the time, and you are responsible for that.

Your young one's pudgy arms and dimpled knees will be on full display when you trade in his or her diminutive snowsuit for a tiny bikini. However, your baby's delicate skin is more vulnerable to the sun's UV rays and insect bites when the weather is warm. This summer, it's your job to keep that kissable surface in pristine condition by following these easy skin care guidelines. Online baby product directory at My Baby Nursery.

Infants and young children, in particular, are vulnerable to heat illness. It's possible that these things could have a significant impact on their health:

• sunburn
• dehydration
• Heatstroke and heat exhaustion

To protect your youngster from melting down and healthy in the heat, try the following.

Sun Safety

Shade your infant from the sun and keep them cool.

• Young infants (those younger than six months old) should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Their skin lacks the protective pigment melanin, which also gives skin, hair, and eyes their colour.
• Babies of any age should be protected from the sun as much as possible, but especially during the summer months and between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Put a sunshade or parasol on your baby's stroller if you have to go out in the heat.
• Protect your infant's skin from the sun by applying a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Make sure that both UVA and UVB rays are blocked by the product. Sunscreens designed for infants and toddlers are available from a number of popular companies since they are less likely to contain any ingredients that could aggravate the skin. Sunscreen should be applied frequently, especially if your child is constantly getting in and out of the water, such as at a beach or a kiddie pool.
• You should protect your child's head and neck from the sun by having them wear a sun hat with a wide brim or a wide flap at the back.

Avoid Dehydration

Babies and young children, like adults, need to consume plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

From 0 To 6 Months

• Babies who are being exclusively breastfed do not need to drink water until they begin solid foods. They may feel the need to breastfeed more frequently during hot temperatures.
• Babies who are bottle-fed can benefit from a small amount of cooled boiled water added to their normal milk meals. If your infant gets up during the night, they will likely be hungry. Try giving them cooled boiled water in addition to their regular milk feeds if they have already gotten their fill.
• Keep in mind that you can always see a health expert, such as a health visitor, for guidance on any aspect of caring for your infant.

From Around 6 Months

• Water from a sippy cup or beaker should be offered with each meal once your baby has graduated to solids. Keep in mind that for the first year of life, the primary beverage should be breastmilk or infant formula. Extra water outside of mealtimes may be necessary in hot weather.

From 12 Months

• Your infant should mostly consume water, breast milk, or whole cow's milk. During hot weather, you can help children stay hydrated by feeding them frozen lollipops prepared from water or very watered-down fruit juice. Sugary treats like lollipops produced from watered-down fruit juice should be reserved for mealtimes to prevent tooth decay.
• It's important to keep older kids hydrated, so feed them lots of fruit and salad. Keep in mind that children under the age of five should not be fed 100% fruit juice or smoothies.

Keeping Cool

Here are some suggestions for keeping your kids comfortable and safe in hot weather.

• Babies and young children can enjoy the refreshing water while having fun in a paddling pool. Pools should be kept in the shade during hot weather, and children should be closely supervised at all times.
• Give them a refreshing bath right before bed.
• Close the blinds or curtains to your kid's room to keep the cool air in during the day. Use a fan to help move the air about the room.
• Reduce the number of layers you wear to bed. You may want to consider just putting your baby to bed in a nappy with one well-secured sheet so that it doesn't flap about and cover their face or get tangled up with their arms and legs.
• To keep tabs on the temperature in your baby's room, use a thermometer designed for use in a nursery. The ideal temperature for your baby's room is between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius.

What You Should Know About Sunburn In Toddlers And Baby

Babies can become burnt due to their skin's thinness and fragility. Because you've been there, you know how painful that can be. What's more, the risk of developing malignant melanoma, the worst form of skin cancer, later in life is doubled if a child suffers from even one severe sunburn. Sunscreen should naturally become associated with summertime skin care.

How To Care For Sunburn In Baby And Toddler

You should start by rubbing a cold, wet towel to the baby's skin for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day, till the redness subsides. Use aloe vera gel or another gentle, hypoallergenic moisturiser to calm the skin. Sunburns typically cause the skin to get red, feel hot, and hurt. A sunburn in a child younger than one year old warrants a visit to the paediatrician. Elderly children should see a doctor if they have a severe sunburn that includes redness, blistering, discomfort, fever, and chills. With your doctor's approval, you can give acetaminophen to infants as young as two months old and ibuprofen to infants as old as six months old for the treatment of fever and pain, respectively. Protect your child from the sun until the burn has healed.

Sunburn Prevention For Babies And Toddlers

Lots of measures can be taken to protect a child's skin from the sun throughout the summer. When the sun is at its highest, between 10 am and 4 pm, plan your indoor activities accordingly. Cover as much of the baby's skin as possible by dressing it in a hat with a wide brim, as well as lightweight clothing made of tightly woven fabric. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and designed for use on children 15 to 30 minutes before heading outdoors. For infants less than six months, it is sufficient to apply a small amount to small sections of exposed skin and to rely on shade and clothes, such as lightweight long-sleeve shirts and slacks, to accomplish the rest. Apply liberally, and reapply every few hours, particularly after water play, to older infants and toddlers.

What To Do To Protect Your Baby's Skin From The Heat Of The Summer Sun

There has been a dramatic shift in the meaning of "parent" over the past two decades. Parents used to wait until their infants were at least six months old before taking them out in public. Parents nowadays are eager to introduce their infant to as many new experiences as possible. They hope to take advantage of every opportunity to have fun, take pictures, and create precious memories together. It's great to get some fresh air and sunshine with the little one, but since solar damage accumulates over time, it's important to keep newborns out of direct sunlight.

Apply The Appropriate Sun Protection Cream

Even infants younger than six months should be protected from the sun with sunscreen. Twenty minutes before going outside, cover your infant completely in sunscreen, including his or her face.

Babies are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and long-term skin damage from UVA (ageing rays), UVB (burning rays), and infrared (heat) radiation. Therefore, it is crucial to select a sun protection cream or spray that shields the infant from all three types of radiation (UVA, UVB, and Infrared). Make sure the sunscreen has passed dermatological testing and is safe for use on infants and young children.

Water-resistant sunscreens are also recommended, so that your baby's protective layer doesn't wash off in the water or when perspiring. If you're planning on purchasing one of these creams, it's a good idea to look at the PA rating listed on the packaging before you buy. Any baby cosmetic with a PA rating lower than 4 is probably not safe for the baby's skin.

If you want your kid to have a safe and fun summer, follow these guidelines to protect their skin from the sun:

• Medical professionals and paediatricians all agree that babies should wear sunscreen, especially on hot summer days. Parents should take extra care to shield their child from the sun and make sure he or she stays hydrated and cool.
• Babies may put up some resistance to sunscreen applications, but parents still can't afford to let them go outside without protection. In addition to sunscreen, parents of infants should stock up on caps, hats, and cotton cloths to protect their children's delicate skin from the sun and heat.
• Protecting young skin from the sun's damaging rays is a top priority, therefore it's important to pick a sunscreen that works well. One product should be able to withstand the rigours of swimming, travelling, and playing, so it's best to seek for a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) that is both water-resistant and easy to apply, as well as one that contains natural moisturising extracts.
• Many types of sun protection are available, including lotions, sprays, and other types of creams. Babies who prefer to be handled less frequently may respond well to bottled sprays. Even though it may take longer to apply, a creamy base is well worth it to protect your baby's fragile skin.

Bathing

Baby sweating is normal in the summer. If your baby enjoys being washed, giving her a bath on a regular basis (at least twice a day) will help her feel more relaxed and secure, allowing her to sleep better. Not too hot, not too chilly; just right. When giving your baby a bath, be sure to test the water's temperature. When washing your baby, focus on the delicate folds of skin around the baby's neck, armpits, and elsewhere. Make sure your infant is completely dry by patting her or him. Check out our range of nursery change table change mats here.

Cotton Wear

Put your little one in comfortable, breathable cotton garments. Your infant's discomfort and sensitivity to rashes may be exacerbated by wearing synthetic fabrics.

Dehydration

Don't let your infant get dehydrated. Although your newborn does not sweat, he or she will nevertheless lose some water. Some of the symptoms of dehydration in a baby are rapid breathing, restlessness, hot skin, and a reddened face. Water shouldn't be given to babies under six months of age. They merely require regular nursing.

Beware Of Sunburns

To protect your child's delicate skin from the sun, dress him or her in loose, light cotton long sleeves and slacks. To further shield your infant from the sun, a broad-brimmed sun hat is recommended.

Stay Indoors

To prevent your infant from developing heat rashes or prickly heat, which can be caused by excessive perspiration and the subsequent clogging of the sweat glands, it is best to keep him or her inside during hot weather. Carrying a baby in a sling or baby carrier for extended periods of time can cause overheating and discomfort for the infant.

Talcum Powder

The use of talcum powder can have mixed results: it can either cause skin irritation in infants or help keep the skin supple and comfortable. Make sure your infant doesn't accidentally breathe in any of the powder while you apply it by holding him or her away from the powder's application area. If you see any rash symptoms, you should stop using talcum powder immediately.

Oil Massage

During the warmer months, you can use any mild oil for massaging your infant. When you shower, give it a good scrub to get rid of it. Avoid using oily baby lotions or powders, as these can clog your infant's sweat glands. However, even the most oil-free products won't be able to dry out your baby's skin.

Baby Lotions

Summer is a risky time for skin allergies, so be careful while using baby wipes or body lotion. Some infants may develop skin irritation and dryness from their use. In order to prevent the skin from drying out, especially if your infant suffers from eczema or dry skin, you should always use a body lotion after bath time.

Be Vigilant 

Avoiding even mild sunburns is important since your baby has no way of telling you she has been exposed to too much sunlight. Is her skin red? If so, she may have been burned. Hurry and bring her inside.

Seek The Shade. 

Allow your child time in the fresh air and sunshine, but keep him or her out of the direct rays of the sun. To protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays when at the beach, park, or pool, bring an umbrella or tent equipped with a UV-blocking lining. To protect your baby from the sun, use sunglasses, a brimmed hat, and long, tightly woven clothing throughout the middle of the day.

Test For Allergies. 

You should test a small area of Baby's skin with the lotion to check whether she has an allergy. The most common allergen associated with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is another component. Benzophenones, Cinnamates, and anthranilates are also things to keep an eye out for. If your child's skin becomes sensitive while using the product, try switching to a different brand.

Look For A High Spf.

Underexposure to the sun can still occur with products that have an SPF of 15. Children should have their high SPF sunscreen reapplied every two hours when playing outside. If your baby sweats or gets wet, you should reapply the sunscreen every 40 minutes. The backs of your knees, ears, and hands should all be protected. Use sunscreen every day, especially on cloudy, chilly days.

What You Should Know About Heat Rash In Toddlers And Babies

Prickly heat, often known as a heat rash, is a common skin issue throughout the summer. It causes red lumps on the cheeks, neck, armpits, and upper chest and can make a youngster highly irritable. That's because breakouts brought on by perspiration being trapped in the skin due to blocked pores in the sweat glands are extremely irritating.

How To Care For Heat Rash In Baby And Toddler

Give your irritable baby a lukewarm bath. It's best to wash your face with a gentle soap and avoid applying any powder or lotion afterwards, as they might clog your pores even more. Bumps and swelling may indicate a yeast or bacterial infection and may prompt a visit to the doctor even if the rash normally disappears on its own within a week.

Heat Rash Prevention For Babies And Toddlers

Protect your infant from overheating and discomfort. Dress your child in light, breathable clothing and limit the amount of time she spends in a sling or carrier when the temperature outside is high.

What To Know About Baby And Toddler Insect Bites

Do insects bother your infant? While most insect bites aren't anything to worry about, the occasional sting or itch can be annoying for your child.

How To Treat For Insect Bite In Babies And Toddler

Use soap and water to clean the area. Then, to ease the discomfort, place a cold, wet washcloth on the area. If you've been bitten and your skin is itching, calamine lotion may help. Please contact your child's paediatrician immediately if you observe any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including but not limited to, extreme pain or swelling, trouble breathing, hives, or widespread itching.

Insect Bite Prevention For Babies And Toddlers

Chemical-free defences are preferable for infants younger than two months: Lightweight long-sleeved clothing, long pants, a cap, and socks can help protect infants from mosquito bites. Spraying clothing with a bug spray containing 0.5% permethrin will protect against mosquitoes and ticks for multiple washes. At dusk, once the mosquitoes come out, you can cover your baby's pram with bug netting and bring him or her inside. My Baby Nursery is your one-stop baby product store.

The good news is that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says it's okay to use DEET and picaridin treatments on infants older than two months to protect them from biting insects, as long as you stay away from products with more than 30% DEET or 10% picaridin. If you must apply insect repellent on your child, remember to limit its use to once per day and keep it away from her face, especially her eyes, mouth, and hands. When you get inside, use soap and water to remove it.