Page sponsored by: Sun protection The power of the sun The sun’s energy output is 386 billion megawatts. The sun’s energy travels to earth via ultra violet radiation and comes in three types: UVA, UVB and UVC. The suns rays are most intense between 10am – 4pm. UVC is the most dangerous radiation, thankfully it is completely absorbed by the earths upper atmosphere. Sadly, both UVA and UVB Cause skin cancer and damage our DNA. UVA gives us a tan but also harms deeper skin layers. UVB burns our skin. Protecting yourself and your family. Babies under a year old should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. Older children should be protected with suitable clothing and high factor sun blocks. Ideally limit the time children spend in direct sun light and avoid the midday sun whenever possible. Sun can burn from early spring onwards. Sun can penetrate glass, the clouds and light cotton clothing. Don’t forget to protect every square mm of the body. Don’t forget tips of ears, bald heads, and feet! Don’t forget to re-apply sun block especially if you have been swimming. Don’t store old bottles of sun block. The cream's effectiveness is likely to start to reduce after about six months. Especially if the bottle has been left in the sun. Sun protection products come in lotions, milks, creams, mousses, oils and roll on’s. It's important to choose a make that is quick and easy to apply on to a wriggly baby or toddler, and that gives good, thick coverage. Remember that there should be a layer left on the surface of the skin. Look for the ingredient Mexoryl XL, as it does not break down in the heat. If your prefer the chemical free approach, the Organic Pharmacy (www.theorganicpharmacy.com) has just launched a range of factor 18-25 creams(29.99). They contain no complex chemical formulations: No artificial colourants No artificial preservatives. No artificial fragrances. No Aluminium. No artihello ficial spf’s. Rich in antioxidants to protect & repair. Rich in nourishing & hydrating oils. Non whitening. Suitable for sensitive skin. Suitable for babies & children. Anti-ageing. Choose a sun protection which screens out both UVA and UVB radiation. Children should wear sun hats at all times. The Legionnaire’ hat is a very useful style as it protects the head, neck and shoulders from the sun. http://www.beachfactory.com/category_Children%92s%20Sun%20Hats.html Understanding the labels SPF stands for sun protection factor against the burning UVB rays. For example, SPF 15 provides up to 15 times the skin’s natural protection against these rays. Some products go up to SPF 50 - most experts advise that you choose a cream with a minimum SPF of 15 for a baby unless you are going somewhere with a tropical climate, in which case you should use a minimum of factor 25. The amount of protection given by a cream depends on skin type and, more importantly, application. Sun protection cream needs to be applied liberally and frequently, and left on the skin's surface rather than completely rubbed in Star ratings indicate protection against UVA. The star system was developed by Boots and has now been adopted by many of the major sun screen product manufacturers. Four stars indicates optimum protection Waterproof or water resistant means it's less likely to wash off in water, but it’s advisable to reapply if your child has spent some time swimming or splashing. Do remember that your child can still burn even when he's in the water Fragrance-free means that it doesn't contain perfumes Hypo-allergenic and dermatologically tested means that it is specifically designed for sensitive skins - some brands may be suitable for babies suffering from dry skin or eczema Sunglasses Health experts now recommend that children wear sunglasses in addition to a hat to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays. they should give UV 400 protection. It's also useful to choose a style that is scratch-resistant and has flexible arms. You can buy glasses suitable for older babies and toddlers. Follow the link below for more information. http://www.thekidswindow.co.uk/selling.asp?product=SUV0314&linkpage=results.asp--item=SUV Clothes with sun protection http://www.kids-kaper.co.uk/system/index.html Not all clothes will prevent your child's skin being damaged by the sun. Ordinary clothing manufacturers are now beginning to test fabrics for their sun protection factor, and a new British Standard (BS7914) rates clothes for their SPF; look out for this on labels.You can also buy bodysuits specifically designed to protect toddlers and older children playing in the water in the garden or on the beach: See above Beach pods http://www.travellingwithchildren.co.uk/acatalog/Beach_Pods_Sun_Cabanas_UV_Protection_Tents.html These are specially designed little tents made from a fabric that screens out most of the sun’s damaging UV rays. If you're taking your baby on holiday this summer, then a beach pod is a pretty essential piece of kit. Not only are the majority of them easy to pack and fun to use, but they also provide a protective home for your child whilst playing outdoors - whether its on the beach, at the park or simply lazing in the back garden. Beach pods have a multitude of uses - they provide additional sun protection and are perfect for afternoon naps and feeds, they are also good for encouraging role-playing games for older children who are likely to turn it into a sleepover-friendly play den that they can share with friends. Parasols & sun canopies It's essential to use a parasol or sun canopy to protect your baby in the pushchair or pram. Many pushchairs and prams have parasols or sun canopies included in their accessories or as optional extras to go with their products. You can also buy parasols separately, made by nursery equipment accessory manufacturers.

The Beach Factory www.beachfactory.com/ The Kids Window www.thekidswindow.co.uk/ Travelling with Children www.travellingwithchildren.co.uk/