Bounty feature

Sunshine babies

‘Experts believe that sunburn during childhood can double the risk of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, in later life,’ says Genevieve Frisby, Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign manager.

‘Young skin is delicate and especially vulnerable to damage from the sun,’ says Frisby. ‘Children, like adults, with fair or red hair, pale eyes or freckles are at most risk, but all children, whether they tan easily or not, should be protected from sun damage… and should never get sunburnt; babies should be kept in the shade.’

• Covering up and staying in the shade when it’s really hot: pop-up UV sun shade tents or cabanas are brilliant for beaches and back gardens. Kit your kids out in long-sleeved UV swimsuits and keep babies safe with an adjustable parasol.
  
  
• Sun cream alone can give you a false sense of security. Slapping on the high factor cream (15+) is important, but to make it effective, it needs to be applied generously and often – we tend to use far too little sun cream for it to do a good job, say the experts. Make sure it’s waterproof and don’t use it as an excuse for your kids to stay out in the sun too long, especially between 11am and 3pm when the sun is hottest and UV rays strongest. For tiny tots, choose a sun cream that’s specifically for babies as it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Sun cream becomes less effective the longer you keep it, and the chemicals in it can deteriorate with time, so if there’s any left over at the end of the summer, throw it out.
  
  
• Cover up shoulders, backs of necks and heads – it can be a challenge to keep a hat on a toddler, but you just have to keep replacing it every time it comes off, or take them out of the sun.
  
  
• Sunglasses can protect little eyes from glare and UV rays, but are not the easiest thing to keep on a child – try a pair with adjustable band rather than traditional arms.
  
  
• In the car, attach sun shades to the windows on sunny days, and put up the sunshade hood on their car seat.
  
  
• If your baby is lying in a buggy a lot in hot weather they can get heat rash. Dress them in no more than a vest and nappy if the heat is on, and sponge them with tepid water as often as you can. Apply a suitable soothing cream such as Sudacrem if the rash seems to be bothering them.
  
  
• Vitamin D is created in our body by exposure to sunlight. There have been stories in the news that suggest staying out of the sun is leading to an increase in vitamin D deficiency. But experts say that kids (and adults) only need a few minutes of sunshine each day to get enough vitamin D, and should always be protected from the harmful effects of hot sun on the skin.
  
  

1. 1 - Remember you can burn in the UK - The Great British sun is quite capable of burning your child, so take extra care at home as well as abroad. For the daily UV Index, wherever you are, go to http://www.met-office.gov.uk/weather/uv
   
   
2. 2 - Know the shadow rule - If your shadow is longer than you are, then you are safe from the sun. When your shadow is shorter than you, the sun can burn you.
   
   
3. 3 - Use shade - Keep babies in complete shade: under trees, umbrellas, canopies or indoors.
   
   
4. 4 - Cover up - Dress children in cotton clothing that is baggy, close-weave and cool. Oversized T-shirts are good for covering most of their skin.
   
   
5. 5 - Use dry clothing - Remember that wet clothing stretches and can lose up to half of its UV protection – put children in dry clothing after playing in water.
   
   
6. 6 - Protect shoulders and necks - Don’t put children in vest tops or sundresses if they are spending a lot of time outdoors – shoulders and backs of necks get easily burned.
   
   
7. 7 - Wear sunglasses - Buy good quality, wraparound sunglasses for children, as soon as they can wear them. Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive brands, but toy sunglasses can do more harm than good.
   
   
8. 8 - Find hats they like - Encourage children to wear hats with brims, especially if they are not wearing sunglasses. The wider the brim, the more skin will be shaded from the sun.
   
   
9. 9 - Use sunscreen wisely - Apply factor 15+ sunscreen before children go outdoors. Then reapply often to be sure of good coverage. Don’t forget their shoulders, nose, ears, cheeks and tops of feet.
   
   
10. 10 - Remember sunscreen washes off - Always use waterproof sunscreen (factor 15+) when children are swimming or playing outdoors with water. Reapply after towelling.