The skin has components that protect itself from the damage caused by sunlight, but these may not be enough for prolonged sunlight exposure. Babies are more vulnerable to sunburn because their young skins are not yet used to the climate. Protect your baby’s delicate skin from sunburn through these actions.
The skin has components that protect itself from the damage caused by sunlight, but these may not be enough for prolonged sunlight exposure. Babies are more vulnerable to sunburn because their young skins are not yet used to the climate. Protect your baby’s delicate skin from sunburn through these actions.
Stay in the shadow. Babies need sunlight to get vitamin D, which makes them have healthy bones and prevent cancers and other diseases. However, there are times in the day when the sunlight is more harmful than helpful. This is usually from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon, but it depends on your location. The sunlight is more potent in higher elevations such as mountains, and at places near the Earth’s equator. When the sunlight’s rays are potent, avoid direct sunlight. Don’t expose your baby in harsh sunlight and seek the shade. Know what time of day it is, and pay attention to how hot the sunlight is.Use umbrellas. If you can’t stay away from the sun, bring an umbrella with you. An umbrella is usually enough to keep sunlight off your baby’s skin, but it is better if you use one that has an anti-ultraviolet light coating on it. Avoid using damaged, thin or transparent umbrellas that allow light to pass through.Use a stroller with an overhead cover. Some strollers have a built-in canopy in them. Open this canopy to protect the baby from sunlight when he’s in the stroller.Avoid drinking alcohol and taking perception-altering drugs. Alcohol and certain drugs numb your body and slow down your thought, so you might not notice that your baby may be sunburned. In that note, avoid taking these substances if you’re taking care of a baby.
Know the effects of your baby’s medications. Certain medications increase the skin’s vulnerability to radiation from the sun. Ask your doctor about the side-effects of your baby’s medications if he’s receiving any. If the medications increase your baby’s risk of being sunburned, ask for alternative medications.Let your baby wear protective clothing. Protect as much skin as possible. Make your baby wear a wide-brimmed hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. Though, make sure that the clothes are comfortable and light so that the baby won’t get too hot. There are clothes that are resistant to ultraviolet radiation; let your baby wear these if he has to stay in the sun without umbrellas.Apply sunscreen on your baby’s skin. The sunscreen’s purpose is to form a protective barrier between your baby’s skin and the sun. It’s better if the sunscreen you use is approved by a dermatological agency. Take note of the SPF level: the higher, the better. Let the baby’s skin absorb the sunscreen by applying it half an hour before going into the sun. The sunscreen may come off when swimming or perspiring, so reapply it every two hours.
