Dress Your Kids in Sun Protection

What would summer be without a fabulous day at the lake, a dip in the pool, or a scamper about at the local community fair? As the sun shines its glorious rays and it remains lighter longer, who can help but want to enjoy all the playing to be done outside? 

As a kid, I remember my Mom always telling me to go outdoors, as the fresh air and sunshine were suppose to make me grow. I spent hours in either the back yard sprinkler or the playground, looking for any excuse not to have to come inside and go to bed.

What I don't remember, however, is my Mom ever telling me to put on sunscreen. Ultraviolet rays and sun damage were not even a blip on my childhood map, nor were they something my Mom seemed to worry about.

Today we know that the sun's ray can cause harmful damage to a child's skin. Exposure to the sun even on a cloudy day can result in a serious sunburn and be detrimental to the skin. Kids are overly venerable to sun exposure, as they often don't realize their skin is hurting until it is too late.

Agreeably, the market is full of creams and lotions you can put on your child's skin to protect them and ward off unwanted burns.

Unfortunately, non-application to all areas of the skin, too much time between applications, or product washing off in the water can still lead to children exposed to harmful amounts of the sun. Babies under six months are the most effected as sunscreen application is not recommended for children of age.

When my first-born was too young to wear sunscreen, I went looking for alternatives. I wanted to avoid any chemicals that he may have been allergic to, and felt that his newborn skin was just too delicate for the additives and derivatives found in many sunscreen compounds. 

I began the hunt for UV protective clothing, a perfect solution and healthier option. Covering his skin with his clothing was so advantageous for me as a new mom. I no longer had to fret to make sure that he was not exposed, as the fabric itself was doing the job for me.

I learned that when shopping for UV protective clothing, it is important to always read the hangtags. SPF rating should be stated indicating how much protection is in the garment. Look for fabric that is breathable and has a soft-hand feel. Avoid plastic-coated fabrics or ones that appear to be uncomfortable with a chemical coating. Darker fabrics offer more coverage than lighter fabrics. If you can see your hand clearly through the fabric, it won't offer that much protection.  Ask the manufacture about their ratings or visit their website for more details. Most companies that sell SPF rated clothing are happy to provide lab result and fabric tests to prove their ratings. Most importantly, on the first wearing watch your kids to make sure the sun is not penetrating through.

I now have two toddlers and I don't leave home without a long-sleeve UV Protective shirt stuffed in the backpack or diaper bag. It is so much easier than carrying a gooey bottle of sunscreen that forever leaks and only causes a battle from my kids to put on. Now we are always prepared for those impromptu plays at the park, we also have stylish tops and bottoms to go to the beach, fly kites, have a picnic or just walk the street doing errands.

At last, I get to avoid the fighting that I see the other mothers go through to continually apply sun screen and I feel better that my kids are not absorbing possibly harmful chemicals into their skin.