....that lots of new products are launching next year! Once again if you have any particular questions about your baby toddlers skin then please feel free to e-mail me.Q.
Q. My baby is 6 months old. What is the safest way to provide sun protection for him?
A. Firstly it is important to keep your baby out of direct sunlight when he is under one year of age. This can be done using pram covers (even on cloudy days), UV pods, wraparound sunglasses, parasols and hats. Make sure the hats have a wide brim, are made from natural fibres and that they do not have a seam or labels that can irritate delicate skin. They should be machine washable and when washing look for soap powders, that feature the Brittish Skin Foundation logo this means that they support research into skincare. Use a fabric conditioner which contains no colours or strong perfumes (stick to white ones). This will keep the fabrics as soft as possible next to your baby's skin. For more information on sun protection for your children go to: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/
Q. What clothes do you recommend after my baby is one year old?
A. There are many specialist companies that make clothing suitable for wearing in the sun. They give almost total protection by acting as a complete sun-block. This is ideal for baby skin as it avoids the need for sun protection creams that may irritate delicate skin. The material is lightweight and breathable so it is not too hot but does protect against the harmful UV rays. Some great websites who cater for UV kids clothing, aqua shoes, sunshades and sun protection include: http://www.kids-kaper.co.uk/system/index.html, http://www.equatorsun.com/reducinguv.jsp, www.uptofive.co.uk and http://www.koolsun.co.uk/
Q. When choosing sun protection creams what should I look out for?
A. A sun protection above 30 is ideal for children and ideally it should be waterproof if the child is in and out of the pool or the sea. Some brands need to be reapplied every couple of hours whereas others will last all day with only one application. It is important to put the right amount of sun cream on your child and remember that however much you put on this will not allow your child to stay in the sun for many hours at a time. It is safer to avoid the hottest period of the day by staying out of the sun during 10am and 3pm, cover up where possible and use sun glasses and hats at all times. An excellent site giving information on sun blocks is http://www.coolibar.com/children-s-infant.html Great brand: http://www.crownlaboratories.com/bluelizard/ Halos n Horns will be launching their new range next February, so watch out for it on the shelf.
Q. What is the best product to use on my childs skin following exposure to the sun?
A. Firsty remember to follow the SMART code, as recommended by the UKs national skin cancer prevention campaign:
Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3pm. Make sure you never burn. Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. Remember to take extra care with children. Then use factor 15+ sunscreen.
Following exposure to the sun use a simple emolient based moisteriser as an aftersun treatment. This will give the natural barrier some protection and also reduce the chances of excessive water loss from the baby's skin.
Q. How can I keep my baby cool in the summer months?
A. Overheating can be very dangerous to a new baby as their temperature regulation system is still immature. Remember never to cover a baby's head, even if you think a room may be cold. It is a good idea to keep your babies room at a constant 18-20 degrees celcius all year around. To achieve this in the summer months it may be necessary to have a gentle fan (not directly blowing on your baby) and leave the wondow open so fresh air can circulate. Keep bed linen to a minimum by using light layers of sheets or blankets made from natural fibres like 100% cotton, fleece or the latest trend bamboo (which is 3 X softer and more absorbent). Alternatively you could use one of the new baby sleeping bags (e.g. grobag by www.gro-group.co.uk) designed especially to keep your baby by the perfect temperature. Follow the manufacturers recommended advice on what sizes, layers of clothing and tog ratings to use. Make sure the sleeping bag is not too big to avoid a baby slipping down into the bag. Buy a nursery thermometer to help keep your room a constant 18-20 degrees. If it is really hot your baby may only need to wear a vest. Once your baby can turnover, stop using the sheepskin. Do not use duvets or pillows under a year old. Avoid using hot water bottles or electric blankets in baby's beds. Your baby may ask for more feeds in hot weather as they get thirsty. Breast milk is watery so no extra feeds of water are needed, just more breastfeeds. | 
