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Health Tips

Fun In The Sun Keep Your Baby Safe

Warm, sunny days are wonderful- the sun feels so good on your skin. But what feels good can be very bad for you, your family, and especially your baby. The sun provides energy to all living things on earth. But it can also harm us. Its ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburn and skin cancer.

The sun is the main cause of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States. There will be a million new cases of skin cancer this year. Skin cancer can and does occur in children and young adults, but most of the people who get skin cancer are older. Older people get skin cancer because they have already received too much of the suns damaging rays. Your skin remembers each sunburn and each suntan year after year.

All skin cancers are harmful and some, especially malignant melanoma, can be deadly if left untreated. Malignant melanoma is the most common form of cancer in women 25 to 30 years of age and is second only to breast cancer in women 30 to 35 years of age. Sun exposure in early childhood and adolescence contributes to skin cancer.

Your babys skin is very delicate and its up to you to protect it. Sunburns hurt. Sunburns can also cause fever and dehydration. Too much sunburn and too much sun exposure over the years can cause not only skin cancer, but also wrinkles and possibly cataracts of the eye.

Most of our sun exposure- between 60% to 80%- happens before we turn 18 years of age. Thats because children spend more time outdoors than most adults, especially in the summer. Research has shown that two or more blistering sunburns as a child or teen increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Therefore it is very important to protect babies and children from sunburn.

* A babys sensitive skin is thinner than adult skin and a baby will sunburn more easily than an adult. Even babies with naturally darker skin need protection.

* Its up to you to protect your baby. A baby cant tell when he or she is too hot or beginning to sunburn. Your baby cant move out of the sun and into the shade without your help.

Follow these simple rules to protect your baby from sunburns and skin cancer later in life:

Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy.
Dress your baby in clothing that covers the body, such as comfortable lightweight long pants, long sleeved shirts, and hats with brims that shade the face and cover the ears.
Select clothes made of tightly woven fabrics. Clothes that have a tighter weave-the way a fabric is constructed generally protect better than clothes with a broader weave. If youre not sure about how tight a fabrics weave is, hold the clothes up to a lamp or window and see how much light shines through. The less light, the better. Clothing made of cotton is both cool and protective.
When using a cap with a bill, make sure the bill is facing forward to shield the babys face. Child-sized sunglasses with UV protection are also a good idea for protecting your childs eyes.

Remember these facts about the suns rays:

The suns rays are the strongest between 10:00a.m. and 4:00p.m. Try to keep your baby out of the sun during these hours.

The suns damaging UV rays can bounce back from sand, snow, or concrete; so be particularly careful in these areas.

Most of the suns rays can come through the clouds on an overcast day: so use sun protection even on cloudy days.

Choose a sunscreen made for children. Test the sunscreen on your babys wrist for a reaction before applying sunscreen all over. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding the eyelids. If your baby cries or complains that the sunscreen burns his or her eyes, try a different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sunblock with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If a rash develops, ask your babys pediatrician for another suggestion.

When choosing a sunscreen, look for the words "broad-spectrum" on the label-it means that the sunscreen will screen out both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15. Use enough sunscreen and rub it in well, making sure to cover all exposed areas, especially your babys face, nose, ears, feet, and hands, even the backs of the knees. Put it on 30 minutes before going outdoors. The sunscreen needs time to work on the skin.

Choose a water-resistant or waterproof sunscreens that are "waterproof" should be reapplied every 2 hours, especially if your baby is playing in the water. Zinc oxide, a very effective sunblock, can be used as extra protection on the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, and on the shoulders. Remember, sunscreens should be used for sun protection and not as a reason to stay in the sun longer.

Make sun protection a regular family event. Your baby needs you for protection from the sun and from sunburns. Since babies learn by imitation, you can be the best teacher by practicing sun protection yourself. Teach your family how to protect their skin.