Keep Your Baby Safe From The Harmful Effects of Sun!
I live at the beach and I'm always a wreck when I see Mom's and Dad's not properly safeguarding their babies from getting sunburned and other potentially ill effects that are harmful from the sun's powerful rays. I found this article so informative that I found on BabyCenter.com that I wanted to share it with all of you. It was a post contributed by PureandFree (a BabyCenter.com's member). It's a guide to keeping baby safe from the harmful effects of the sun. It's short, easy to read, written well and (in my opinion) will save a lot of children from harm if parents use it. The article is pasted below; but you should also take a look at the BabyCenterCommunity page I found it on. You will find oodles of good information on this very cool mommy and mommy-to-be website. I've also inserted the link to the guide directly below.
Neutrogena_Baby-Suncare-1-Sheet.pdf
Your baby’s skin is 10 times more sensitive to the elements. With a thinner skin and still-developing natural protection system, a baby needs special protection from the sun and irritating chemicals. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as ingredients safe for young and sensitive skin.Everyday Protection It’s important to protect your baby’s delicate skin every day, not just on those summer days on the beach. Incidental sun exposure can add up and result in early damage to baby’s still developing natural protection system. You should also practice sun safety everyday. Here are a few simple steps:• Protect your little one with a hat, avoid the sun during peak hours (10 am - 4 pm)• Put sun safe clothing on your baby,• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen and reapply as directed• Play in the shade.Your baby’s skin is different. It needs a different kind of sunblock.How to apply Sunscreen to a Squirming Baby We know that it can be hard to apply sunscreen to a baby that just wants to play. But by using some baby massage techniques, you can have your baby protected and ready in no time. Dr. Lawrence F. Eichenfield Professor of Pediatricsand Dermatology,University of California, San Diego “As a pediatric dermatologist I educate my patients that sun damage can occur at any age and babies may be even more susceptible to sun damage. That’s why I recommend a variety of sun protective measures: clothing and hats, shade seeking, awareness of the peak times of the day that cause sun damage, as well proper application of a physical sunblock, such as Neutrogena® Pure & Free™ Baby.”Ask your doctor about using sunscreen on infants under 6 months of age. Step 1 - Getting Started Ensure that your baby is comfortable-perhaps you can lay down a terry cloth on the changing table, or a comfortable blanket if you’re outside. When doing so, try not to apply sunscreen right after mealtime, as this can cause fussiness. Also, try talking or singing to help soothe your baby while you apply sunscreen. Step 2 - Heads Up Lay your baby down and take a quarter-sized dollop of lotion and begin with tiny circles on your baby’s head. Continue by smoothing your baby’s forehead, starting at the center and gently pressing out. Don’t forget the ears! Step 3 - Front and Center As you move down the body, rub your baby’s chest and tummy with the same motion-from the center pressing out, as if you were gently flattening the pages of a book. Now, sit your baby up and roll each arm and leg between your hands, being sure not to miss the toes and the spaces in between toes. Step 4 - Take It Back Gently turn your baby over and rub the back using a back-and-forth motion, followed by long strokes from shoulders to feet. You can repeat this process every 2 hours, or however often you need to reapply. Just end it with a kiss and get outside!
Comments
Dana said:
This is great information. I think that most parents don't know how important sun protection is and don't know how to go about using sun protection.