Keeping your baby safe in summer

Cover up, wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water… There’s lots to remember before heading out for fun in the sun. Lucklily, M&B’s helpful guide makes it easy to ensure your baby will stay safe all summer

The heat is on, and you’re looking forward to a summer of picnics and sand castles on the beach. Luckily, there’s no need to hide your baby inside all summer long. “The sun helps to synthesize vitamin D in the body.

There’s also increasing evidence that sunshine helps prevent cancer,” says Rebecca Russell, SunSmart campaign manager for Cancer Research UK (www.sunsmart.org.uk).

“But sunburn in the first 15 years of life dictates your risk of skin cancer when you’re older so be sensible.”

Keeping baby cool

As a golden rule, keep your tot inside or in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. “Even five or 10 minutes in the sun at midday will burn a child without any protection,” says Dr Heather Payne, consultant paediatrician.

“Make a big deal about getting in the shade for lunch and a nap.”

At other times, keep kids protected and cool with a hat, sunglasses, a sun shade for the pushchair and clothing.

UV clothing is a great way to provide extra protection to the skin. “Pick fabric with a close weave -- hold it to the light and see how much light penetrates through,” says Rebecca.

Erin Cameron, 26, lives in Glasgow and is mum to Ryan, two.

“On hot days, I put up a UV-50 sun tent in the garden and serve Ryan a picnic inside the tent. He sees it as an adventure sitting in the ‘magic tent’, and I have peace of mind that he’s sitting in the shade in the hottest part of the day.”

Apply sun cream correctly

Before six months, babies should never be in direct sunlight so shouldn’t need sunscreen. “Young babies’ skin is especially thin and delicate so burns more easily,” says Heather.

For older babies and toddlers, you will need more tools in your armoury. “Sunscreen shouldn’t be your only protection,” says Rebecca. “The first lines of defence are spending time in the shade, wearing clothing, a hat and sunglasses.”

However, sunscreen is crucial protection for exposed skin. “Slather it on half an hour before going out so it’s absorbed,” says Dr Jennifer Jones, consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation.

And be generous – use enough so that when you first apply it, there’s a visible layer. “Use SPF 50 specifically designed for babies and toddlers all over their body and face even under clothes – then you know you haven’t missed a bit.

In sunny climates, black and Asian children also need protection and it is always safer to use a high SPF,” she continues. “Most sunscreens designed for babies are SPF 50. But you also need to check the rating for UVA protection.”

Reapply sunscreen every few hours or more frequently if your child has been swimming. “And if it’s cloudy, you’ll still need to slap on the high factor cream,” says Jennifer. “UV rays penetrate cloud, even in the UK.”

What if your baby busily licks off all your hard work? “It won’t harm them,” says Heather. “Play a game when putting it on and hopefully they’ll be distracted.”

Tania Atfield, 36, lives in Andover, Hants and is mum to Jude, two and a half, Joel, seven, and Phoebe, 10.

“Jude likes to help put sun cream on his skin -- I always put a tiny splodge in his palm and while he’s busy rubbing that in, I concentrate on the rest of him.”

Don’t let them overheat

Babies and toddlers don’t regulate their body temperatures as efficiently so can easily overheat, leading to heat exhaustion -- a mild form of heat stroke -- with symptoms of tiredness, tummy pain and headache after being out in the sun.
They may also be dehydrated.

“Kids have a bigger surface area compared to their body mass than adults so they dehydrate quicker,” says Heather. Symptoms include no tears when they cry and dry nappies. “A child needs to wee every three hours. Later signs are lethargy, vomiting and listlessness.”

If you suspect your child is dehydrated or has heat exhaustion, bring them somewhere cool, out of direct sunlight. “Sponge water on their foreheads, and get them to drink some water,” says Heather. 

“See a doctor immediately if concerned, or if your child is confused or disorientated as this can signify more dangerous heat stroke, in which their body temperature starts rising.”

To keep your child hydrated while playing this summer, offer formula-fed babies and toddlers regular drinks of milk or water every hour on top of their normal feeding. “Offer them as much as they want,” says Heather. “Breastfed babies will usually adjust themselves – so you only need to provide water if it’s very hot or they seem constipated.”

Heat rash is a different problem. This bumpy rash appears when your child overheats – when children sweat a lot, their pores can get clogged. “The skin can be itchy so if this is the case, use a mild steroid cream for kids over two years and ask your doctor for advice for younger tots,” says Heather. “Sponging down with cool water can provide relief.”

On a hot night, less is more. “A t-shirt or bodysuit plus light blanket or sheet is fine.”

And never leave a child in the car in the sun even for a minute or two.

“Temperatures rise rapidly inside a car, and because children don’t sweat as efficiently, they are unable to reduce their body temperature and the consequences can bbe very serious.”

Mary Jones, 34, lives in north London and is mum to Mia, two and a half.

“Last summer, I carried water around and made sure Mia had regular sips. But I also offered her chunks of watermelon and melon as snacks as they have a high water content.”

Insect problems

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying – they also carry diseases like West Nile disease, encephalitis and malaria. “Bring an insect net if travelling to a hot climate,” says Heather. “It means you don’t have to apply bug spray to their skin as this is an insecticide that can be toxic. At dusk, dress your child in long trousers and long sleeves and use natural candles like citronella to keep the insects at bay.”

Lucy Land, 35, is mum to Tommy, 23 months, and Benjamin, seven months. She lives in Winchester, Hampshire.

“We took Tommy to see his grandparents in South Africa when he was four months. Before bed, we applied a special insect repellant designed for babies to his sheet and also put a mosquito net over the cot. He didn’t get bitten once.”

Two readers’ fun tips

Carey Stevenson, 23, lives in Glasgow and is mum to Lana, three.

“We throw plastic shapes, colours and numbers in the paddling pool. I then shout out a different one and Lana splashes about looking for it. It’s fun but also educational.”

Lara Green, 30, lives in New Barnet, Herts and is mum to Fin, three, and Bay, 15 months.

“We spent many hours last summer 'painting and decorating' the garden – I filled a bowl with water and gave my son a big paintbrush to ‘paint’ the path, shed, house and tree. He loved watching the walls, wood and concrete change colour.”