Do Baby Clothes Offer Enough Protection Against Sunburn?
Parents have many things to safeguard their children against, and one risk that is frequently under-appreciated is that of skin damage from the sun.
Whether your youngster is wearing plenty of baby clothes and even sunscreen (which should only be used on babies older than six months, by the way), extra care is needed.
Most adults are now keenly aware of how important it is to protect skin from too much exposure to the sun.
It is vitally important that babies and children are adequately protected.
Many experts agree that the Victorians had it right because they considered it unfashionable to have a tan in those days.
Eventually though, and before we knew so much about skin cancer and the aging effect of the sun, having a tan was not only considered fashionable it was also regarded as being healthy.
Anyone living in a sunny climate realizes just how fierce the sun is and how little time it takes to burn.
Wearing sunscreen lotions, sunglasses, hats and protective clothing becomes a way of life especially during the hottest part of the day if you have to be out in the sun.
Particularly at risk are young children and babies.
Their skin is far more sensitive than adults and it burns more quickly.
So to repeat the warning at the top of these notes, please keep your young babies in the shade and not exposed to direct sunlight.
Be aware that sunshine can reflect off other surfaces and use baby clothes and a parasol or canopy to make sure there is no risk of sunburn.
A lot of people think that if they cover up with a T-shirt or blouse that that will be adequate protection from the sun however the amount of protection they afford very much depends on the color and the fabric.
The best everyday clothing to protect your child and yourself from the sun's harmful rays is made of closely woven material in dark colors not the white T shirt that you slip on at the beach.
Hats are a very important part of a child's summer wardrobe.
It is important to keep the sun off the back of the neck, ears face and eyes and a wide brimmed hat or a legionnaire's hat provide the most protection.
Protecting the eyes is just as important as protecting the skin so be sure to get your child to wear sunglasses to protect against future eye damage.
Technology has been used in an attempt to stop or at least minimize the effect of sunburn.
Some suppliers now offer clothing for children that has sun protection built in.
Right now, though, choices are limited and prices are relatively expensive.
In addition, a product called Sun Guard can be added to your washer loads of laundry and it claims to offer protection of up to UPF30, staying effective through twenty washes.
But not every part of the skin can always be covered by clothes and hats.
The skin that is left exposed needs to be covered by the right-strength sunscreen.
As awareness of the sunburn problem has increased, so have the varieties of products available.
Even sensitive skins are catered for.
Babies over six months old and children need a product with SPF15 or greater, according to leading dermatologists.
A common mistake is to apply sunscreen too infrequently, a mistake made by both adults and children.
Start applying it before you go into the sun (half an hour before) and replenish it at two-hour intervals.
Shorten the intervals if you're in and out of the swimming pool or sea.
Apart from babies who are no older than six months (they're always in the shade, remember), keep in mind that all exposed parts of the skin should be screened from the sun - that includes the back of the neck, the ankles and feet and the ears.
It is painful to see anyone, whether a baby a child or an adult, suffering from sore red skin or even blisters because of too much time in the sun or too little protection from sunscreen or clothing.
It is even more painful to experience it and it adds to the risk of skin cancer.
One immediate essential after an incidence of sun burn is to keep out of the sun until the skin has recovered.
We all need a little sun as it is our main source of Vitamin D to help us absorb calcium for healthier teeth and bones, but it only takes a few minutes to give us the necessary amount.
Whether your youngster is wearing plenty of baby clothes and even sunscreen (which should only be used on babies older than six months, by the way), extra care is needed.
Most adults are now keenly aware of how important it is to protect skin from too much exposure to the sun.
It is vitally important that babies and children are adequately protected.
Many experts agree that the Victorians had it right because they considered it unfashionable to have a tan in those days.
Eventually though, and before we knew so much about skin cancer and the aging effect of the sun, having a tan was not only considered fashionable it was also regarded as being healthy.
Anyone living in a sunny climate realizes just how fierce the sun is and how little time it takes to burn.
Wearing sunscreen lotions, sunglasses, hats and protective clothing becomes a way of life especially during the hottest part of the day if you have to be out in the sun.
Particularly at risk are young children and babies.
Their skin is far more sensitive than adults and it burns more quickly.
So to repeat the warning at the top of these notes, please keep your young babies in the shade and not exposed to direct sunlight.
Be aware that sunshine can reflect off other surfaces and use baby clothes and a parasol or canopy to make sure there is no risk of sunburn.
A lot of people think that if they cover up with a T-shirt or blouse that that will be adequate protection from the sun however the amount of protection they afford very much depends on the color and the fabric.
The best everyday clothing to protect your child and yourself from the sun's harmful rays is made of closely woven material in dark colors not the white T shirt that you slip on at the beach.
Hats are a very important part of a child's summer wardrobe.
It is important to keep the sun off the back of the neck, ears face and eyes and a wide brimmed hat or a legionnaire's hat provide the most protection.
Protecting the eyes is just as important as protecting the skin so be sure to get your child to wear sunglasses to protect against future eye damage.
Technology has been used in an attempt to stop or at least minimize the effect of sunburn.
Some suppliers now offer clothing for children that has sun protection built in.
Right now, though, choices are limited and prices are relatively expensive.
In addition, a product called Sun Guard can be added to your washer loads of laundry and it claims to offer protection of up to UPF30, staying effective through twenty washes.
But not every part of the skin can always be covered by clothes and hats.
The skin that is left exposed needs to be covered by the right-strength sunscreen.
As awareness of the sunburn problem has increased, so have the varieties of products available.
Even sensitive skins are catered for.
Babies over six months old and children need a product with SPF15 or greater, according to leading dermatologists.
A common mistake is to apply sunscreen too infrequently, a mistake made by both adults and children.
Start applying it before you go into the sun (half an hour before) and replenish it at two-hour intervals.
Shorten the intervals if you're in and out of the swimming pool or sea.
Apart from babies who are no older than six months (they're always in the shade, remember), keep in mind that all exposed parts of the skin should be screened from the sun - that includes the back of the neck, the ankles and feet and the ears.
It is painful to see anyone, whether a baby a child or an adult, suffering from sore red skin or even blisters because of too much time in the sun or too little protection from sunscreen or clothing.
It is even more painful to experience it and it adds to the risk of skin cancer.
One immediate essential after an incidence of sun burn is to keep out of the sun until the skin has recovered.
We all need a little sun as it is our main source of Vitamin D to help us absorb calcium for healthier teeth and bones, but it only takes a few minutes to give us the necessary amount.
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