Natural Children’s Remedies: Summer Safety
Summer is in full swing and we are loving the relatively temperate weather here in Southern California. Now that our little boy is older we have been taking him everywhere! My husband and I love to get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty of the lovely beaches and parks we’ve been afforded with but there are some precautions that need to be taken with little ones in the great outdoors. In the first of this two-part series closer we’ll discuss natural remedies for sunburns.
My son has inevitably inherited my husband’s fair and sensitive skin so we’ve been vigilant about keeping him out of the sun.
According to the Sears’ doctors, young children who undergo excessive sun exposure are at risk for developing skin cancer later in life and damage to the eyes from ultraviolet rays. Complete avoidance is unrealistic and a little sun is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D in the body. Stick to these tips and you and your child will enjoy the summer sun for years to come!
Here comes the sun…
The sun’s rays are fiercest between 10 am and 3 pm so limit or avoid exposure during this time if possible. Same rule applies for those gloomy June days! That’s Cali-speak for overcast!
Cover up…
It is especially important to keep babies under 6 months of age covered up and out of the sun as much as possible since sunscreen, although advocated by the AAP in this population, may lead to sensitivity. Clothe your babe in a lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt, wide-brimmed hat, and keep her under a brollie. Complement her outfit with 100 percent UV filtration sunshades, if she’ll let you.
Even better, a number of companies sell sun protective clothing. Ingenious, considering the SPF of a wet t-shirt is around 6! Check out the following companies:
Protective Eyewear
An ounce of protection…
We all know sunscreen is a must. With so many brands available on the market, it’s hard to distinguish the good from the bad. The Environmental Working Group put out a report concerning the safety and effectiveness of the most popular sunscreens. Surprisingly, most failed in both categories. In order for a sunscreen to truly be effective, it must protect against both UVA (skin damage including cancer and aging) and UVB (sunburn) sunrays. Be sure to choose one of the following with an SPF rating between 15 and 30 and apply underneath clothing without SPF. For a highly informative, well-written article regarding the safety of sunscreens, check out Skimbaco.
A-listers!
TruKid’s Natural Mineral Sunscreen Water Resistant Face & Body Stick has an SPF of 30 and is made with organic ingredients.
California Baby’s Suncare line includes fragrance-free lotions and sticks with an SPF of 30
UV Natural’s Baby Sunscreen is gentle and effective with an SPF of 30
Lavera’s Sunscreen for Babies & Children is made with organic ingredients and has an SPF of 30.
Don’t forget to protect those lips too!
Check out Skin Deep for 99 baby and kid sunscreens that made the grade.
First Aid
Despite your best efforts, there may be the rare occasion when your child suffers the occasional sunburn. If you are concerned about the severity of the burn, check out the Sears’ docs guide to burns
Cool it down…
Cold compresses or a cool bath will sooth red, inflamed skin. Add milk or yogurt to the compresses for their added alkalinity in alleviating the pain and discomfort of sunburns.
You may be interested in this DIY Sunburn Healing Bath by Care2.com’s Annie B. Bond for older children. Be sure to check with your Pediatrician prior to the use of essential oils.
Sunburn Healing Bath
In a handkerchief tied with string or a muslin teabag, place the following:
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/8 cup whole milk powder
1 teaspoon tea leaves, green or black
3 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
Run a tepid to cool bath and soak along with this bath bag. Use it as a compress to spread healing, cooling relief all over.
Keep it moist…
Try to avoid allowing the skin to dry out to prevent further damage. Alcohol-free moisturizers containing aloe vera and vitamin E can soothe and promote healing. (Hat tip to Dr. Greene)
Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera Gel is derived from organic ingredients.
Prefer a cream? Check out California Baby’s Aloe Vera Cream scented with French Lavender. And while you’re there, check out California Baby’s Calming Soothing & Healing Spray. It is a blend of aloe vera, yucca, and herbs…perfect for healing and cooling sunburns
All Natural Baby’s Tea Tree Gel soothes and minimizes the effects of sunburns. It’s fragrance-free and derived from organic ingredients.
Weleda’s Calendula Baby Cream and Lotion nourishes, protects, and soothes skin.
For more tips on sun safety, check out the following resources:
American Academy of Pediatrics
July 29th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Always worried about the exposure to the sun with our little one who just can’t wait to get out each day! I didn’t see Halo’s Technical comfort system on your list though…and i know you would just LOVE it. It has a high SPF and the material is so neat and keeps your little one cool. We got ours from halosleep.com, but i know some places here sell it. I think it would be the perfect addition to your list!
Thanks so much!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am
[...] though the kids are back in school, we can keep using these tips to minimize sun exposure for our little ones. Kids can get sunburns all year long! [...]
October 14th, 2009 at 4:38 am
children were able to play outside in the daylight for the first time. We have been thrilled to help.
October 14th, 2009 at 4:40 am
{…} children were able to play outside in the daylight for the first time. We have been thrilled to help!…