Baby, summer sun, heat and skin care
Babies are sensitive and vulnerable to the heat, and when your baby is not less than 12 months old and the temperature is shooting up, you will need to take special care to make sure your baby is not affected.
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The ideal temperature inside the house over summer is around 20-22°C, but this is difficult to achieve when the surrounding temperature exceeds 35°C during hot weather. Read on to find out the ways in which you can make sure your baby does not suffer in these steamy summer situations.
Preliminary precautions for a summer baby
Even when your baby is still little, she can feel the heat the same way as you can. The most sensitive areas of your baby’s body are: the head, underarms, neck, back and the areas covered by the legs’ layers and folds. If sweat glands become enlarged, your baby can suffer from itchy red patches and rashes. So keeping baby cool and comfortable is important.
- Put your baby in lightweight, pale coloured clothing. Choose the right material like cotton, for example, which allows skin to breathe. On very hot days keep one layer on only.
- Ensure that your baby’s surroundings are fresh and airy (open the windows). When choosing between air conditioning and a fan, go for the latter so you can direct the airflow to reach your baby.
- Never leave your baby in the car, even for a second. The pram has a similar effect also as it gathers and conserves a lot of heat.
- Give your baby lukewarm baths during the day, and only once a day with soap to thoroughly cleanse the skin. It is true that cold water is refreshing but it makes your baby likely to perspire even more afterwards and a cold bath is too much of a change in temperature for a young baby.
Are creases in your baby’s skin covered with redness? Put her somewhere well ventilated and not under too many covers. Wet compresses will give any itchy patches light relief, but creams and oils are inadvisable. For more serious cases, see your doctor.
Limiting baby’s exposure to the summer sun
Sunshine is one of elements fundamental to all forms of life, and it ensures the health of babies and adults alike. Ultraviolet light causes chemical reactions in the skin that stimulate the production of vitamin D, which is crucial for growth and bone health.
This is why babies should ideally get a little sunshine everyday. This is even more important if you live in a climate where sunshine is rare… but too much sun is definitely not a good thing for baby (or you!).
- Take your baby out into the sunshine only between 7 and 10am, making sure you protect his head with a little cloth hat.
- Begin with short 5-minute spells and then extend the length of the exposure gradually. The maximum exposure for baby in the morning sunrays is 10 minutes without sun protection.
- If baby is going to be outside for longer periods of time, you will need to use special high factor sun cream for babies (factor 30 and above). Renew applications after 3 hours of exposure to the sun.
- If it is between 10am and 4pm, try to always stay in the shade and keep away from the beach (as sand reflects rays of sunlight).
What happens if you baby gets too much sun? Give baby lots of water to drink. Fresh, wet compresses will also sooth baby’s overheated skin. At the first sign of any real discomfort, take your baby to the doctor’s. As a last resort, they can prescribe a cream to reduce the symptoms.
Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo
Posted 27.06.2011
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