Baby Sun Skin Care for the Summer

The hot days of summer are getting more intense with every year. Especially if you’re in the Northeast where we have a a sun-driven heatwave. Regardless of what zone you live in, smart skin protection is the best medicine to keep your child skin safe in the sun.

You probably remember your first sunburn and maybe even your latest one because it’s so easy for adults to splash sun screen on their kids, and forget to put it on themselves.  As you know, infant skin burns much more easily than adult skin. That’s why it’s important to take extra care with infants and toddlers when they are out in the sun.

UV Rays
It’s no secret that the depletion of the ozone layer has changed our way of thinking about sun protection. There is no doubt that the sun rays today are stronger and more intense those of 60 years ago.

Extended exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun causes skin damage and premature aging. However, it is important to remember that sunlight is important to good health. Small amounts of ultraviolet rays stimulate the body to produce vitamin D, an essential vitamin for good health. Deficiency of vitamin D is a serious health concern and leads to conditions such as rickets in children. In short, moderate sun is healthy, but sunburns are not.
Too much exposure to sunlight can result in immediate pain and long-term harm. Without getting too scientific here, sunburn is caused by extended exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Short-term results can be pain, allergic reactions and heat stroke.  In the long term, researchers say that victims of sunburn can suffer from lupus, cataracts, premature skin aging and an increased risk for skin cancer.

Skin Type
A person’s sensitivity to the sun is related to his or her skin type. An individual’s skin type determines how easily that person can become sunburned. Those with fair skin, freckles, blue eyes and/or blonde or red hair sunburn much easier than those with darker skin, eyes and hair.

Children younger than 6 years of age and adults older than 60 years are at an increased risk for sunburn. Skin type affects how easily you become sunburned. People with fair or freckled skin, blond or red hair, and blue eyes usually sunburn easily. Your age also affects how your skin reacts to the sun.

Young Skin is Sensitive
The skin of children under age 6 and adults over age 60 is more sensitive to sunlight. Premature aging from sunlight can affect people of all skin shades. A sunburn can be caused by the sun or by artificial tanning sources, including tanning beds and sun tanning lights. You can even get sunburned not only in the summer, but also in the winter.

Here are some basic sun care tips:

• Sunlight is most intense between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so avoid exposure during these times
• Avoid exposing babies younger than six months of age to direct sunlight
• Dress your child in light, loose clothing that covers the whole body
• Use a sun hat or bonnet, and keep the sunshade up on the stroller up This is good advice for young babies
• Toddlers often resent the restrictions of clothing, and feel it’s best to run around naked. For these free little spirits, use a gentle, natural sunscreen with organic ingredients, available at your health food store
• Slather on sunscreen generously and reapply, even on cloudy hazy days
• Never put sunscreen too close to children’s eyes or on their hands, as they might rub their eyes and cause irritation
• Keep your child and yourself well hydrated. Keep water bottles handy or nearby
• Bring a beach umbrella to the beach or park(if there are no shady trees nearby)

Have fun in the sun this summer, but do take care of the tender skin.

Making a Safe Family Bed: Part 2

If you and your partner want some time alone in bed at night, you can start your baby off in a bassinet or crib and bring baby into bed with you when you are ready to. Some parents find this is a wonderful arrangement that keeps everyone happy.

If you find that you feel cramped in bed with your baby, you may want to consider getting a bigger bed! A king-sized bed is a wonderful investment for years to come. You might also choose to make your bed bigger by adding a twin-sized mattress beside it. Some families literally have a “bed room!

Other families want to share sleep but don’t want the baby directly in the bed. There are yet more co sleeping options if this is how you feel. A sidecar arrangement can be made in a number of ways. You can sidecar your baby’s crib to your bed, you can buy a co sleeper, or you can put your child on some type of mattress on a lower level than yours.

You may choose to lower or remove one side of your baby’s crib and adjust the mattress to the height of your mattress. You can then use clamps to clamp the crib to the side of your bed. Some parents find that putting a piece of plywood under baby’s mattress and under theirs helps the sidecar. If there is a gap you can fill it with tightly rolled blankets. Another solution is to put a pool “noodle” (made of a very firm foam) in the crack.

There are also commercial co sleepers. Some moms love these, and enjoy the piece of mind from a product made especially for co sleeping. Arm’s Reach makes a wide variety of options. Once your child is older, you may wish to put a firm crib mattress or futon down beside your bed for him to sleep on. This works well for some families transitioning from the family bed, or who are adding a new baby. The older child still feels the security of being with the family, but is not directly in bed with parents.

You can also choose to have your baby’s bed in the room with you, but not have baby in bed with you. By having your baby’s bassinet or crib in your room, you can quickly respond to his needs.

If you are trying to work out a family bed with a growing family, there are several choices for you. You might want to invest in a king sized bed, or even add a twin sized bed mattress next to your king mattress. You will want to separate your toddler from your infant (see safe co sleeping.) You can choose to have your toddler on one side of you and your infant on your other side. Or you may want to have your toddler on the opposite side of your bed, next to your partner.

You can put your infant in a side car arrangement while your older child is in bed with you. Or you can put your toddler on a separate mattress beside your bed. Maybe your older child feels ready for his own bed, but still in your room. A compact toddler bed may be a good idea for your family. Some older children like to have their own mattress or small bed at the end of their parent’s bed.

Co sleeping can be a joyful experience. There is nothing like waking up to your sweet baby grinning at you! At the end of a long day it can be delightful to cuddle up to your darling baby. It is a time of connection for a family, and millions of families all over the world have been enjoying co sleeping throughout time.

A Few Basics

Those first few moments with your baby, no matter when they come, are precious. Guard and treasure them to give you and your baby the best possible start.

Your first few days taking care of a baby may seem overwhelming. But baby care basics are really pretty simple and you’ll quickly master them.

Your baby really just wants to be with you – and be warm, full, clean and dry.

You’ll want to give your natural baby a bath after the first couple of weeks (or sooner!) – bathtime can be one of the most fun aspects of parenting your new child, and it can become very relaxing as well.

Following your baby’s bath with infant massage is a great way to bond with your baby. Mastering the gentle art of infant massage will also help you soothe your baby and learn his or her cues.

Routines and a baby schedule can help bring security to your baby as your baby becomes gently accustomed to them. I also have lots of practical advice on managing your home with a baby (and older children) that’s helpful as you develop a daily rhythm with your babe.

If you have been blessed with a baby boy you might find circumcision is an issue you need to consider. Please research very carefully, no matter what your religious or cultural background is. Caring for your uncircumcised son is actually quite easy!

In the early days, your baby will thrive on milk. But you may want to research starting solids so that you can be prepared when your baby is ready.

Baby’s Sensitive Skin

Your baby’s skin is highly sensitive. Before using any baby clothes or baby linens for the very first time, make sure to wash the baby items in a hypoallergenic soap formulated for babies. In addition, use only clean and natural products designed for babies when you bathe your little one. Products for adults are usually too harsh for your baby’s delicate skin.

It is not necessary to give your newborn a bath every day. Just be sure to keep your baby clean. Wash your baby’s face, head and diaper area daily. Wipe your baby’s face and head gently with a soft, wet washcloth or use dampened cotton balls. Make sure to get into all the skin creases, especially where dribbled milk and spit up can collect. Also, wash your baby’s bottom well with each diaper change to avoid diaper rash.

When it is time to dress your baby, choose loose-fitting, soft garments. Baby’s clothes can be layered for warmth. Be sensitive to your baby’s environment and make sure to peel off or add a layer or two when in a warm or cold car, store or restaurant. If you find your baby has little pimples along skin folds, especially on the neck, back, shoulders, chest or diaper area, he or she may have prickly heat, which can be remedied by avoiding heat and humidity. Give your baby cool baths and dress him or her in light, loose-fitting baby clothes.

It is healthy and recommended to take your infant outdoors to get fresh air. Simply dress your child appropriately. You may need to protect your baby from the sun and from insect bites. While the sun is an important natural source of vitamin D, it can also do damage to your child’s skin. Shield your baby from direct sunlight by keeping the stroller hood up. Once your baby is six months old, get in the habit of using clean but effective sunscreens on your child year round, even on overcast days. Choose a hypoallergenic, PABA-free sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. When applying sunscreen, avoid your baby’s eyes and keep it off your baby’s fingers as your child might rub his or her eyes. Also, avoid or limit exposure to the sun between 10am and 4pm. To keep bugs away from your little one, use an all natural insect repellent and for insect bites.

The Basics Of Healthy Skin Care

After the early months of babyhood have passed the skin of most children has a more than adequate layer of fatty ‘padding’ which gives it a beautiful smooth appearance, often described as having the quality of ‘purity’. All the functions are very active, and because the stratum corneum is functioning effectively the skin is very well hydrated. Indeed, by and large children’s skin is the healthiest we ever see.

A child’s skin shows little or no damage from sunlight. Children have more leisure time than they will ever enjoy again, however, and many of them play outside whenever they can, often spending most of the summer out of doors. There is often massive exposure to the sun during childhood, which will have long-term consequences.

The care of the skin of small children is almost entirely in the hands of parents or other carers. Nevertheless it is never too soon for them to begin to learn about skin care. The skin does not need moisturising unless there is atopy or eczema, or after prolonged exposure to sun or sea, but regular protection against the sun should begin now.

Products for babies and young children are usually highly fragranced. That sweet, recognizable aroma you could smell a mile away is nothing more than added fragrance, which we know can cause irritation. Moreover, baby products almost always have a pretty yellow or pink tint, which is contrived by coloring agents, another group of problematic skin-care ingredients for sensitive skin. If baby products were really gentler than those that adults put on their skin, they would be fragrance free and contain no coloring agents. Sadly, few of those existed just a decade ago. But now there are many clean, healthy skin care products lines to choose from.

Cosmetics and hair-care companies know that mothers have an impulsive emotional pull toward scents that trigger the image of their babies. That subconscious pull is difficult for a marketer to ignore, given the way women gravitate to the fragrance generated by other perfume-laden products. In other words, hair and skin-care companies don’t have much motivation to take these problematic ingredients out. That means you, the mother and consumer, as an advocate for your child, need to pay attention to this issue and choose fragrance-free and color-free products whenever you can!