The long hot summer is one of the many reasons we all love living in Spain, yet it’s important to protect babies and toddlers from the harmful rays while still enjoying getting out and about and having fun on the beach and at the pool.
To make the most of this summer in Spain, follow our tips for a safe sunny summer!
Babies, Toddlers and the Sun in Spain … The Facts!
Well the
good news is that summer does mean we can spend more time outside and research does suggest that babies and toddlers who spend lots of time outdoors each day are happier and sleep more soundly! However exposure to the Sun’s Ultraviolet rays, also know as UV rays causes the skin to burn and dry out and can lead to skin cancer.
In fact Cancer Research in the UK recently stated that sunburn during childhood can double the risk of skin cancer melanoma’s in later life.
It’s no surprise that
young skin is far more delicate and therefore vulnerable to the sun than adult skin. A baby’s skin is actually only a 5th as thick as an adults skin meaning children therefore burn a lot more quickly than an adult when exposed to the sun. Children with far or red hair, pale eyes and freckles are at most risk
but all children should be completely protected from the sun when outside, with babies being kept in the shade as much as possible.
A baby’s skin is so sensitive that it can only take 10 -15 minutes of exposure to the sun for a baby to burn.
Sadly twice as many adults get skin cancer now than 20 years ago, so protecting your baby or toddler is of huge importance. Enjoying the summer is about balance … let your baby or toddler enjoy their time outside but ENSURE they are protected. Don’t forget however that babies under six months are less able to regulate their body temperatures and so will probably prefer to be in the shade or indoors during the hottest parts of the day to ensure they don’t overheat.
Once babies are on the able to crawl and on the move however they are in danger of burning and must be constantly protected from the strong UV rays. Babies heads are most at danger and should always be covered with a hat or sunshade. Don’t forget too that babies need plenty of fluids in the hot summer sun.
Whatever the age of your child, experts recommend keeping babies and toddlers out of the midday sun altogether and indoors or in the shade between
11am and 3pm. Don’t forget the sun can still damage your child’s skin even if it is cloudy!
Babies in particular with their thin and delicate skin burn easily on a cloudy day because it’s not just the visible sunny heat that does the damage, but the invisible UV light.
Protecting Your Baby and Toddler From the Sun in Spain...
· Choose a
sun cream that’s specifically for babies or small children, these will be a high factor and anti allergy. Don’t forget sun creams do
GO OFF so last years probably won’t be any good. Don’t forget to
reapply sun cream throughout the day even if waterproof. If your child resists a lotion, then buy a spray as toddlers often find these more fun!
Experts recommend applying cream approx 30 mins before first going out in the sun.
· Invest in some proper
baby/toddler sunglasses … these might seem a bit of a gimmick but if they are proper UV glasses they will protect your child’s eyes from the glare of the sun and UV rays.
Toy sunglasses can do more harm than good.
Indybel stock the Baby Banz range of protective UV baby sunglasses in Spain. Click here to find out more ....
·
UV tents are a great invention, not just for the beach but for back gardens too. Encourage your children to use the tent as a play area or use for babies to shelter on the beach. UV tents are particularly good as the sun is more intense near areas where there is water, or surfaces such as white walls or cement. If you spend a lot of time near one of these ‘suntraps’ a tent is a great way to ensure your child has somewhere to go that is totally protected.
UV tents are a good investment for families who live in hot climates. Indybel now stock the JoJo Maman Bebe family sized UV pop up tent in Spain. Click here to find out more ....
· If you don’t have a tent ensure your outside space has lots of extra shade by fixing canopies from trees and umbrellas.
· Keep your baby and child covered …
invest in loose, cool, cotton long sleeve clothing for running around or for your baby to wear when sitting in a hot buggy. For toddlers the UV protective swim ranges are a good investment and loose T Shirts are a must for running around.
Don’t forget wet clothing looses up to half it’s UV protectiveness so change your child into dry clothing after their swim.
· Make sure your
car has sun shades on the window as it is actually possible to get sun burnt through glass and try to cool the car down before putting your children inside.
· Babies can get
heat rashes, burn’t and become
uncomfortable in their pushchairs in the hot summer months. Minimise clothing and ensure you have a good sunshade which provides total protection to both the top of the head and the rest of their bodies from all directions.
Small parasol type sunshades and hoods are not good enough to provide total protection.
Indybel stock the Shade-a-babe sunshade which offers complete and total UV protection for babies in pushchairs and total piece of mind for parents in Spain. Click here to find out more ...
cated to helping you protect your baby and toddler from the sun this summer. 
