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First Years (0-2)
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 Babies ages 6 months and younger should not be exposed to direct sunlight, and many specialists recommended that sunscreen should be avoided at this age. Therefore it is crucial that they are kept covered up at all times. Dr. Kim Patrick, Safe Kids Inland Empire Coordinator for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, urges parents to keep their babies shaded and hydrated, because “dehydration can happen quickly.” According to Dr. Zach Reda, medical director of Newport Children’s Medical Group, if you choose to apply sunscreen on your baby, select one rated at SPF 25 or higher.  He also suggests that you apply the sunscreen to a small area on your baby’s skin to check for any reactions. Then, be sure to apply the sunscreen multiple times throughout the day, even if it is waterproof.The sand is another potential hazard for little ones. The greatest concerns are the sand’s temperature and sharp objects that may be buried. Patrick recommends that children always wear water shoes or sandals to protect their feet from the hot sand and broken glass. She suggests that it might be a good idea for parents to take a small first-aid kit to the beach. If your children enjoy digging in the sand, make sure that the holes they dig are not deep enough for them to sit in, because the sand may collapse in on them, causing them to suffocate. The water poses the greatest threat to a child’s life. Both Reda and Patrick stress that children cannot be left unsupervised around water. “It only takes moments for a child to drown,” Reda says. “And every minute counts.”  Reda emphasizes that parents should never rely on lifeguards. “And all parents should be familiar with CPR,” he adds. In addition, he urges parents to always be within an arm’s reach of their children while in the water, and to ensure that they wear properly sized life jackets. Even with floatation devices and the presence of a lifeguard, nothing can replace parental supervision. Parents need to be their child’s lifeguard when around water. You can become trained through Splish Splash Swim School, which serves all of Orange County. “We go to their home,” says owner Andrea Miller of the personalized instruction. Splish Splash also offers safety training. For more information on how to keep your baby safe at the beach, contact Reda at 949.644.0970 or visit newportchildren.com. Kaysie Ellingson is an OC Family magazine intern.  BEACH BABY GEAR: PACK SMARTCheck out these products available at Toys ‘R’ Us: > Coppertone Water Babies SPF 70 – It guards against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Waterproof. $11.99 > Sun Net – It fits over your car seat or stroller and helps to keep your baby shaded from the sun. $8.99 > Kidco Peapod Travel Bed – Perfect for traveling and easy to store, it provides shade for your baby or toddler. $69.99 > I-Play Turtle Sun Hat – The hat protects your infant’s sensitive skin and eyes from the sun with a fashionable twist. $14.99 > Carter’s Boy Grosgrain Flip-Flop (birth – 3 months) – These are perfect for protecting baby’s feet from the sand’s heat and sharp objects. $9.99 Source: Toys 'R Us 5 RULES FOR SMART SUMMER SKINCARE > Stay indoors or in shade between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – this is when the sun’s rays are strongest. > All children are at risk in the sun. Even though pale children are more likely to burn, darker-skinned children are at risk for burning if they stay in the sun too long. > Dress your kids in protective clothing. > Use sunblock and children’s sunscreens with an SPF of 25 or higher. > Shade is essential to prevent sunburn. Try to find a stroller with a canopy to shield your baby from the sun, and dress her in wide-brimmed hats and caps to guard her face. Source: WebMD |
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