Whether you have a sunny summer vacation planned, or just spend a lot of time outdoors, it's important to protect your little ones from getting sunburned!
Vitamin D has SO many incredible benefits to our body and mind. However, we do want to stay protected from UV rays and possible sunburn.
Let's break down three ways you can protect your baby or toddler this summer!
Safe Sun Exposure: The easiest way to avoid sunburn or unsafe sun exposure is to go out either in the morning or in the afternoon and evening. The peak hours of harsh sun exposure are from 11:00 am-3:00 pm. It is best to avoid being out during those hours unless you know you will have access to shaded areas! There is an app available for Apple and Android called Dminder where you can track safe sun exposure throughout the day based on your location. I highly recommend it for summertime or when you're on vacation!
Protective Swimwear: Another great way to keep your baby or toddler safe from too much sun is by covering them up! Have them wear a sun hat, and a swimsuit that offers more coverage. Not only does this protect their skin by keeping it covered, but you don't have to apply as much sunscreen. One of my favorite brands that has full-coverage swimsuits for babies and toddlers is Rufflebutts. Plus, the material they use is UPF50 for the ultimate protection!
Use Sunscreen: When you know you'll be out during peak hours, or your little one will be in the sun for a long period of time, you should apply a non-toxic mineral sunscreen! I recommend the Badger SPF 40. They have a wonderful sunscreen for toddlers and kids and for babies (although babies under 6 months should not have sunscreen applied). A piece of advice I, unfortunately, learned through a non-so-fun experience is to apply sunscreen on your baby's face EVEN if they are wearing a sun hat in water. The sun actually reflects off the water and hits their face under the hat!
If your little one ends up getting a little too much sun, don't beat yourself up! There are a few after-sun products that will soothe and heal any irritation. YoungLivings Lavaderm Spray, Earthley After Sun Lotion, and Boiron Calendula Gel are all non-toxic and effective! If you are a breastfeeding mama, you can also apply that liquid gold directly to the affected area.
If you plan to spend a lot of time at the pool this summer, I highly recommend making a bottle of Vitamin C spray to counter the negative effects of chlorine! You can read all about that here.
Make sure to download my free Warm Weather Guide for Babies and Toddlers if you want ALL the best tips and product recommendations!
xo,
Jess
L E T ' S B E F R I E N D S!
