What is the right way to sunbathe for children?

Sunlight is good for the body, it improves its functioning and accelerates metabolic processes, it is a powerful antidepressant for both adults and children. When going on a summer vacation with the whole family, it is necessary to know how to sunbathe in the sun for children.

Children's skin produces a small amount of melanin. For example, children under two years old can get sunburned even after 5-10 minutes in direct sunlight. That is why tanning for children is recommended after two years. For those with fair skin, the age limit may be after 3-5 years. Therefore, before going to the sea, you should consult a pediatrician and make sure that sun procedures will not harm the child.

Let's look at the basic recommendations for safe sunbathing for children:

• Sunbathing should be done in the morning from 9 to 11, while the rays are just sliding over the surface of the earth. During the lunch period from 11 to 16, it is better to rest in a cool room, since in the heat children, especially small ones, quickly overheat, which threatens heat stroke. Sunbathing in the evening is also possible, that is, after 16-17 hours.
• When choosing a place to relax, give preference to corners with diffused light. The safest place is under a canopy, in the shade of trees or under an awning. This will minimize the risk of getting burned, but allows the body to produce melanin, giving the skin a beautiful shade.
• Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50-60 for your child. Apply it after each swim. Headgear is also mandatory; the baby should be wearing a panama hat, cap or scarf, which will protect against sunstroke.
• Prolonged exposure to heat dehydrates the body, so make sure you have a supply of clean drinking water. To reduce the harmful effects of UV radiation, add carrots, potatoes, and apricots to your child's diet.

Sun rays activate blood circulation, improve the functioning of the endocrine and respiratory systems, increase immunity and synthesize vitamin D, which is necessary for the child's body (prevention of rickets).

Sunbathing for infants

The main benefit of the sun for newborns is that it promotes the body's production of vitamin D, which is necessary for maximum absorption of calcium (the basis of bones and teeth). In addition, sunlight regulates the activity of the brain of newborns, normalizes the processes of the nervous system and increases vitality.

If a baby gets a suntan, this indicates a protective reaction of the body to the sun's rays. But do not forget that the more intense the tan, the more complications it can cause.

1. Getting used to ultraviolet light should be gradual. It is better to start with a couple of minutes in the sun, increasing the time every day. For example, the first "tanning" can be done near an open window.
2. Summer walks outside should not exceed 45 minutes per day. When choosing a time for rest, it is better to focus on the first half of the day, that is, before 12 or already in the evening.
3. To prevent your baby from getting sunburned, take care of protection in the form of a canopy on the stroller and buy a special protective agent with a high SPF level for treating the skin of newborns. A bonnet or a panama hat should be worn on the head, and light clothing made of natural fabrics, but with long sleeves, should be worn on the body.

If redness appears on the baby’s body after sun exposure, this may indicate prickly heat or sunburn.

• Prickly heat is accompanied by itching and burning; to eliminate it, baths with soothing herbs are recommended, after which the child feels better.
• If we are talking about sunburn, then the redness is supplemented by increased dryness, the baby becomes restless and lethargic. In particularly severe cases, that is, with burn shock, the skin becomes sticky and pale, breathing is difficult, loss of consciousness is possible.

The reason for overheating is that newborns do not have a well-established sweating system. That is why infants are prone to dehydration and heat strokes. To alleviate the baby's condition, it should be gently wiped with cool water, and the affected areas of the skin should be treated with a special agent. If there are chills or a high temperature, it is better to give an antipyretic and be sure to consult a pediatrician.

Prolonged exposure to the sun is dangerous for children due to the risk of developing photodermatosis. Very often, mothers confuse this disease with a common allergic reaction. That is why you should pay attention to the localization of redness: face (ears, forehead, chin), spots on the body are possible, rashes appear on the arms and legs extremely rarely. Such reactions can be hereditary, occur due to the action of the drugs or cosmetics used.