Carefully plan their time in the sun
Certain precautions should be taken in order to make the most of the fine weather.
Exposing children under the age of 3 to the sun is not recommended, so think carefully about where your walk will take you, giving preference to shaded routes.
You should also take into account the orientation of the sun according to the time of day: you can enjoy any location, you just need to avoid times of the day when the sun is at its highest, in particular between 12pm and 4pm. Make the most of these moments to have lunch or take a nap, in the shade of course!
Remember to cover
Clothing remains the best protection from the sun:
Go for long sleeves, pants and hats with wide brims. With today's technologically advanced, breathable fabrics, baby is well protected and doesn't risk getting cold if the wind picks up.
However, please note: if the clothing is not marked as offering UV protection, you should apply sun cream, including under clothing, and avoid light colors that allow UV rays to pass through more easily than darker colors. A UPF 40+ rating means that 97.5% of rays are blocked out, and a rating of 50+ means that more than 98% of rays are blocked out. If you choose to wear open shoes, remember to protect the uncovered parts of the foot with cream or socks!
Finally, as children's eyes are particularly vulnerable, it is vital that you protect them with at least category-3 sunglasses, even when the sun appears to be hidden behind clouds
Never without sun cream!
For parts of the body without protection, don't hesitate to apply thick layers of sun cream and remember to reapply every two hours.
Check that the packaging mentions "baby", double UVA/UVB protection and a factor of 50+. It is preferable to use mineral sun creams that, despite the inconvenience of the white marks, minimise the risk of allergies (compared with chemical filters) and help you to visualize any areas which have been forgotten. Never without sun cream!
Protect their eyes
Children's eyes, like their skin, are not yet fully mature and are particularly sensitive to the sun's rays. It is essential that your child has sunglasses with a minimum protection rating of 3 and which are certified to the CE standard.
The latter must also be adapted to the shape of the face and not leave any areas uncovered. The retention system (elastics, headbands) can be useful in preventing sunglasses from falling off or being badly positioned. The earlier your child gets used to wearing sunglasses, the more easily they will tolerate them!
Make sure they are drinking enough
Even when properly protected, your baby is no less exposed to the heat, so you should make sure that they stay properly hydrated.
Do not wait for them to ask, but instead regularly offer them water, possibly adding hydration solutions, available in pharmacies.
If you are still breastfeeding, take regular breaks in a shaded place.
