Going on vacation is a great way to de-stress and enjoy a break from regular life. Most of us look forward to kicking back and relaxing for a week in the sun, but if you have a baby, you might be wondering how you can manage a week at the beach. The good news is that you can take your baby to the beach and keep him safe from the sun. Read the following tips to find out how.
The Dangers of UV Exposure
All babies and children must be protected from the sun. Do not overestimate the importance of wearing sunscreen. Babies and children have more delicate skin, so they are more at risk of sunburn. A bad sunburn is painful and could increase your child’s risk of cancer later in life.
Using Sunscreen
Very young children should not be exposed to the sun without protection. Children aged 6-months and over can wear sunscreen. Medical experts recommend that sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ is used. The paler your child’s skin is, the higher the SPF you need to use.
Use a waterproof sun protection lotion or cream if you want to paddle in the water with your baby. This will not wash off if he gets wet. It’s a good idea to pick a colored sunscreen, as it is easier to see where you have applied it, so you won’t inadvertently miss any spots.
Protective Clothing
Sunscreen is essential, but babies also need protection in the form of clothing. Sun protective clothing is made from a special fabric that offers UPF50+. Pop your baby into an all-in-one sun suit to keep their body, arms and legs protected from the sun’s harmful rays. They can crawl around, paddle in the sea, or play with their toys and be completely protected.
Babies often dislike wearing a sun hat, but a hat will protect their face, head, and neck from the sun. Look for a hat with a brim that covers the back of their neck, and if they are in the habit of flinging off their hat, find one that ties under the chin.
Beach Tent
A beach tent is ideal if you plan on spending the day at the beach with a baby. Good quality beach tents provide UV protection and are great for babies and younger children. Set up your tent and make it a base for the day. Your baby can sit or lie in the tent, play with his toys, or sleep in complete safety. It also offers protection from the wind, which is handy. Many beach tents are pop-up and can be erected in less than a minute.
Sun Shade
Sun shades are a piece of fabric that ties to a tree or pole. These are less protective than a beach tent, but they still offer some shade.
If this is a last-minute decision and you don’t have a beach tent handy, find a nice spot under a shady tree or in the lee of rocks and set up camp there. Be careful to move once the sun finds you.
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