My daughter’s first trip to the beach (Litsa’s) consisted of limited sun exposure! Not because I really thought about the intensity of the heat or hot Mediterranean sun but mostly because I was a nervous mom—making sure she was comfortable with food, milk, morning and afternoon naps, clean diapers…
Although she was sporting her first mini bikini, shades and sunny beach chair, Sophia wasn’t overexposed to the sun. Her mom (I) was ready to run for the comfort of the hotel room—-or our siesta!?! So luckily we avoided sunburn………
I was reminded how horrible sunburn and babies/children can be when I recently read Real Simple’s Health guide in the June 2014 issue. The contents of the information was worth repeating here on the blog as a cautionary approach for new moms like me that didn’t think through sunburn when hitting the beach for the first time (although any prolonged sun exposure can create sunburn—not just at the beach!?!).
The health guide stated, “If she is dizzy, weak, sick to her stomach, or spiking a high fever—or if the burn is sever (oozing blisters form within 48 hours) and covering a large portion of her body, like her entire back and legs, take her to the ER. A doctor will check her heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs and determine a treatment, such as pain medication or creams. If her only symptoms are discomfort and redness, apply cool compresses (for 10 to 15 minutes, twice a day) and aloe vera lotion and give her children’s ibuprofen (such as Advil, which is anti-inflammatory, unlike acetaminophen). Avoid lotions with pertorleum, which can cause infection, or anything ending –caine (benxocaine, lidocaine). When not administered by a professional these drugs may be dangerous.”
The read between the lines memo here is that sunburns are not worth it! Limit sun exposure and reapply sunscreen often. If you have readily reapplied sunscreen and continue to see RED, remove children from the sun.
What precautions do you take with your children and sun exposure?
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Credit to Real Simple June 2014 for Health Info.
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I made my own sunscreen this year and it works great!! It’s 50 spf and fairly waterproof. We just tested it at the beach this weekend, and the only areas that got burned were where the kids rubbed their faces after being in the water. And that’s really something!! We’re Irish and Scottish, so not much hope in the skin dept.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for sharing your experience with homemade sunscreen! I will look into how to make it. Do you have a recipe to share?
Renae