The most wonderful time of the year (for kids) is almost here! SUMMER! As your kids are inching their way toward a summer of relaxation, playing with friends, and lots of laughs, your trusted pediatric team wants to take a moment to highlight some summer safety tips that will make everyone’s life a little more sunshine-y. While at first glance, these tips may seem like no-brainers, a little refresher never hurt anyone!
One of the most common mistakes parents make with sunscreen is applying it right as kids head outside or as soon as they get to the beach, lake, or pool (you get the drift). Sunscreen needs about 15 to 20 minutes to absorb before it starts working. Build it into the routine before you leave the house, not after you arrive.
For kids of all ages, look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. We prefer sunscreens made with zinc or titanium dioxide over chemical-based ingredients. Blue Lizard is a fan favorite here in the office, but there are a lot of great options to choose from these days. The AAP’s site for how to protect children from the sun and how to pick a sunscreen is here.
Water-resistant formulas are worth it for pool/lake/beach days, but they still need to be reapplied every two hours, or sooner if your child has been toweling off or sweating. The face, ears, backs of the hands, and the tops of the feet are the most often missed spots.
For infants under six months, sunscreen is generally not recommended. Keep babies in the shade, use lightweight clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect their skin. If you have questions about what is right for your baby, give us a call. That is what we are here for.
Sunglasses are also a wise investment. Plus, they look really cool on. They even make sunglasses for babies with elastic straps to keep them on.
North Carolina summers push into the 90s fast, and kids do not always slow down when they should. Their bodies heat up more quickly than adults' do, and they are not very good at recognizing when they need a break.
Encourage water breaks every 20 to 30 minutes during outdoor play, not just when kids say they are thirsty. By the time they feel thirsty, they are already mildly dehydrated. Water is the right choice for most kids. Sports drinks can be fine for older children after sustained activity, but they are not necessary for typical outdoor play. Here is some information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on electrolytes and sports drinks.
Watch for signs that a child may be overheating, such as heavy sweating, flushed or pale skin, fatigue, headache, or nausea. Move them to a cool place, offer fluids, and let them rest. If symptoms do not improve quickly or your child stops sweating despite the heat, contact us or seek care right away.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental injury in children, and it happens silently and quickly. It does not look like it does in movies. Children can be in distress in shallow water without calling for help or splashing noticeably.
The AAP recommends that children ages 1 to 4 take swimming lessons and that all children, regardless of swimming ability, be directly supervised in the water. We’ve got a lot of great swim schools in the area. Check them out and enroll your child. If you are a parent who is unable to swim, enroll yourself too!
Designate a water watcher: one adult whose only job is to watch the kids in the water, not check a phone or carry on a conversation. Water watchers should be on duty anytime a child is in any type of water - the bath, splash pads, and even buckets for little children, as they can get into trouble in any amount of standing water. Switch off who is on duty regularly so attention stays sharp.
Life jackets should fit properly and be U.S. Coast Guard-approved. Floaties and swim rings are not safety devices and create a false sense of security.
Sunscreen before you go, water breaks during play, swim lessons, eyes on kids near water. That is the gist of it.
If you have questions heading into summer about sunscreen for sensitive skin, managing asthma flares in the heat, or anything else, your Rainbow Pediatrics team is here. We have five locations across the Fayetteville area and same-day sick visits when summer surprises come up.
Check out our new website and schedule an appointment online anytime at rainbowpeds.net/schedule-appointment.