From beach days and family barbecues to long walks in the park, we can all agree that there’s nothing quite like a beautiful summer’s day. While the warmer weather opens up a world full of fun, it's super important to keep your little one comfortable and protected during the summer months.
At LittleOak, we’re lucky to work with a range of experts across all aspects of children’s health and wellness, providing you with the resources and support needed to keep your little one healthy and happy. This summer, Claire Andrews, maternal child health nurse and founder of Safe Hands Early Parenting joins us to share her top tips for dressing and protecting your bub. We've also included some fantastic insights from paediatric nurse, Nicky Skinner, on how to choose a safe, non-toxic sunscreen for your little one.
For bubs up to three months old
- Use a broad-brimmed hat to help protect your little one's face, neck and ears from harmful UV rays. It’s important to note that sunscreen is not recommended for bubs younger than six months old as it may irritate their skin. Where possible, keep your little one out of direct sunlight and use sun protection when the UV is over 3.
- If swimming is on the agenda, a long-sleeved rashie top or bathers will provide broader sun coverage and protect sensitive skin from saltwater or chlorine.
- Aim to keep your baby in shaded areas so they stay cool and comfortable.
- Dress your little one in breathable, cotton-based loose clothing that covers their arms and legs.
- Consider using a mesh UV cover on your pram. It’s important not to use a muslin wrap as this will increase the temperature.
- To protect from bug bites, try some insect repellent stickers. You can simply stick these on your little ones’s clothing.
For bubs 6 months and older
Many of the same suggestions apply to your six-month-old: broad-brimmed hats, cotton-based clothing and long sleeve rashie tops are all important for protecting your child in the summer sun. Now that they're a bit older, we have a few extra suggestions to help keep them safe and comfortable.
- It’s safe to use insect repellent on your six-month-old, as per directions. However, try to avoid getting it on their hands because they might put them into their mouth! Claire says that you’ll also want to apply this after you apply sunscreen.
- Sunglasses that protect from UVA and UVB rays are great for protecting your little one’s eyes.
- Now that your bub is a little bit older, it's safe to apply sunscreen as per directions.
Choosing a safe sunscreen
There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral. While mineral sunscreens act as a shield and reflect the sun’s rays, chemical sunscreens absorb these rays before they penetrate the skin. Unfortunately, many chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that aren’t proven to be safe. Oxybenzone, for example, is an ingredient in many chemical sunscreens that causes allergic reactions, behaves like a hormone disruptor and can be harmful for children. Nicky recommends opting for a mineral sunscreen that has at least 15% zinc oxide, which provides excellent protection against UVB and UVA rays. Here are some of her top picks.
The Kind Sunscreen
Sol Goods Sunscreen
My Sunshine
To learn more from Claire or Nicky, visit their websites below.
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