Although more babies are born during the summer months than any other time of year, the season can be a tricky one when it comes to knowing how to dress your baby.
To celebrate the First Day of Summer, Dr. John LaCount, a pediatrician with St. Elizabeth Physicians’ Florence office, offers five tips on how to keep your baby comfortable in warm weather and protected from the summer sun:
Use sunscreen, or a sunscreen alternative
In the past, LaCount said, pediatricians told parents not to use sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months old – or to use it sparingly – because of how thin and sensitive their skin is and because of the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Today, however, they’ve changed their tune.
“I tell families that if they have the choice of either applying sunscreen to their baby or of their baby getting burned, put the sunscreen on and, if there’s a reaction, we’ll deal with it then,” La Count said.
If you’re nervous about slathering your baby with sunscreen, there are alternatives, however. You can dress him or her in long sleeves, or you can dress your baby (or toddler) in sun-protective clothes that have UPF (ultraviolet protection) built into them. You also can buy a cover for your baby’s car seat that repels the sun’s rays.
Don’t forget a hat
Most babies aren’t born with a lot of hair, and there’s always a risk that their scalp could get burned. Other important places hats protect are noses and ear lobes, which are popular locations for skin cancer to start showing up in adulthood due to repeated sun exposure, LaCount said.
Don’t worry too much about hydration
Although it’s hot and they’re going to sweat, babies don’t normally need additional fluids.
“As long as you’re monitoring their urine output and they’re going to the bathroom, they’re probably OK,” LaCount said. “If they’re going to the bathroom and their urine is lemonade-colored, that’s still fine. It’s when it starts looking like apple juice that it’s a problem and you might need to give them some extra fluids.”
Be careful around water
Even if you’re on a boat with shade above you, the water will still reflect the ultraviolet rays onto your face and cause sunburn.
Don’t forget insect repellent
If you’d rather not spray insect repellent directly onto your baby, you can spray it on the baby’s clothes, which will often keep for four or five washes.
“That will, hopefully, keep your baby from potentially having a reaction to the spray,” LaCount said.
Keeping your baby comfortable in the hot, summer months isn’t necessarily easy but it is possible. And, remember: “The primary thing to note is that it doesn’t matter what season it is for the most part,” LaCount said. “If you’re outside, you’re always going to need to have your baby covered and protected from direct sunshine, especially on high ultraviolet days.”
SmartHealthToday is a service of St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
