Holiday and Sun Safety for Babies

Accidents on holiday often occur to babies and young children when parents are distracted.

You should take the same caution in holiday accommodation that you do when at home:

Keep your medication away and out of reach of your baby.
Supervise your baby at all times and keep them away from any windows and balconies.

Here are some useful tips to keep your baby safe in the sun and heat:

Keep your baby cool and protect them from the sun.

Babies that are younger than 6 months have little melanin in their skin, they should be kept out of direct sunlight. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour, it also gives the skin some sun protection.
Babies that are older than 6 months should also out of the sun as much as possible especially between the hours of 11am and 3pm during the summer months when the sun is at its strongest. When out with your baby make sure you have a parasol, sunshade, umbrella attached to your baby's pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight.
Use sunscreen on your baby's skin that is at least sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Check the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, there are sunscreens products specifically made for babies and young children that are better for their skin and don't contain additive that might irritate the skin. Remember to apply sunscreen regularly and reapply it if your baby has been in the sea or a paddling pool.
Always make sure your baby wear a sunhat with a long flap or wide brim to protect the front and back of the head including the neck.

Tips for helping your baby keep cool and safe in hot weather.

Letting your baby play in a paddling pool is a good way to keep them cool in the sun and heat, keep the pool in the shade and never leave your baby unattended.
Before bedtime run the a cool bath for your baby.
Close curtains or blinds in your babies bedroom throughout the day. Use a fan to circulate air in the bedroom.
Keep bedtime clothes to a minimum.
Monitor the temperature in your babies room with a nursery thermometer and try to keep the bedroom in between 16C and 20C.

babies and young children need to drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

From 0 to 6 months

Breastfed babies don't need any water until they start eating solid foods. Babies might want to be breastfeed more than usual in hot weather.
Bottle fed babies can be given a little cooled boiled water in between their usual milk feeds.

From around 6 months

Once your baby is introduced to and eating solid foods you should offer your baby sips of water from a beaker or cup with meals.
For the baby's first year breastmilk and bottle milk should be their main drinks, in hot weather your baby may need addition water outside of meals.

From 12 months

Water, breast milk or bottled milk should be your baby's main drinks, during hot weather iced lollies made from plain water of very diluted fruit juice can help keep them hydrated.
Iced lollies made from fruit juice should only be given at meal time because of tooth decay.
Try to give your children plenty of fruit and salad to keep their fluid levels up.
Smoothies of undiluted fruit juice should not be give to children under 5 years old as they can cause tooth decay.

Remember to speak to your GP for specific issues relating your babies health.

NHS 111 Wales | Sun safety tips - Information on keeping children and babies safe in the sun.
NHS 111 Wales | Dehydration - Hydration advice for babies and young children
NHS 111 Wales | Travel health - Advice on traveling with babies and young children.
Water safety for babies - Information on keeping babies safe around water.