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How to properly sunbathe the children in the sun?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.11.2021
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Sunlight is good for the body, it improves its performance and speeds up metabolic processes, is a powerful antidepressant, both for adults and for children. Going on a summer vacation with the whole family, you need to know how to properly sunbathe the children in the sun.

Children's skin produces a small amount of melanin. For example, children under two years old can get sunburn even after 5-10 minutes under direct sunlight. That is why a tan for children is recommended after two years. For owners of light skin, the age limit can be after 3-5 years. Therefore, before going to sea, you should consult a pediatrician and make sure that solar procedures do not harm the child.

Let's consider the basic recommendations of safe rest in the sun for children:

  • Solar procedures should be carried out in the morning from 9 to 11, while the rays only glide over the surface of the earth. During the lunch period from 11 to 16 it is better to rest in a cool room, because in the heat the children, especially the small ones, quickly overheat, which threatens a thermal shock. It is also possible to fire in the evening, that is after 16-17 hours.
  • Choosing a place to relax, give preference to corners with scattered light. It's safer under the canopy, in the shade of a tree or under an awning. This will minimize the risk of burns, but allows the body to produce melanin, giving the skin a beautiful shade.
  • Pick up a child sunscreen with SPF not less than 50-60. Apply after each bath. The headgear is also mandatory, the toddler must be in a panama, cap or kerchief that will protect from sunstroke.
  • Prolonged exposure to heat dehydrates the body, so take care of the supply of clean drinking water. To reduce the harmful effects of UV, add carrots, potatoes and apricots to the children's ration.

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

Sunbathing in the sun of infants

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

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

  1. Accustoming to ultraviolet should be gradual. It is better to start with a couple of minutes in the sun, increasing the time each day. For example, the first "sunbathing" can be done at the open window.
  2. Summer walks on the street should not exceed 45 minutes per day. Choosing the time for rest is better to focus on the first half of the day, that is, until 12 or even in the evening.
  3. So that the baby does not get a sunburn, take care of the protection in the form of a canopy on the stroller and get a special protective agent with a high level of SPF for the treatment of the skin of newborns. On the head should be a cap or panama, and on the body light clothing made of natural fabrics, but with long sleeves.

If after the solar procedures on the body of the baby there is redness, then this can indicate a chalk or a sunburn.

  • Sweating is accompanied by itching and burning, baths with soothing herbs are recommended for its elimination, after which the baby becomes lighter.
  • If it is a question of sunburn, reddening is supplemented by increased dryness, the crumb becomes restless and sluggish. In especially severe cases, that is, with burn shock, the skin becomes sticky and pale, breathing is difficult, loss of consciousness is possible.

The cause of overheating is related to the fact that newborns do not have a system of sweating. This is why babies are prone to dehydration and heat strokes. To alleviate the condition of the baby, it should be gently wiped off with cool water, and treated affected areas with a special remedy. If there is a fever or fever, then it is better to give an antipyretic and necessarily go to the pediatrician.

Long stay in the sun is dangerous for children at risk of developing photodermatosis. Very often mothers confuse this disease with a usual allergic reaction. That is why you should pay attention to the localization of redness: the face (ears, forehead, chin), spots on the body are possible, on the hands and feet, the rash appears extremely rarely. Such reactions can be hereditary, arise because of the action of the drugs or cosmetic used.

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