It’s been a long Winter in most parts of the country and the return of warmer weather and long-awaited sunshine is enough to get us all excited. That is until the sunscreen bottle comes out. Anyone with small children knows that the mere mention of sunscreen is enough to send our tiny humans into a state of terror. In fact, for many, the 'putting on sunscreen' process is best likened to wrestling an unwilling toddler into a car seat, changing a nappy or maybe even wrestling a crocodile! It's safe to say putting sunscreen on a toddle is a huge feat and a somewhat dangerous battle.
We don’t want our kids to fear the sun, we want them to enjoy being in the great outdoors, but we need them to do it safely. Afterall, our bodies need some sun to produce vitamin D which is important for strong muscles and bones. Not to mention the feel-good endorphins and the release of pent-up energy we all feel after a good dose of fresh air. That is why keeping our babies and toddlers sun smart is so important!
So, as summer approaches, we’ve pulled together some sun safety tips to help minimise the stress and anxiety around sun protection and being SunSmart. But first, let’s remember why being sun safe is so important.
Did you know?
- Sun protection needs vary, depending on the time of day and the season. As a rule, sun protection measures are recommended when ultraviolet (UV) radiation is 3 and above.
- UV radiation levels are highest from about 9am until around 4pm but you can keep a check on things daily on the BOM website for your location.
- Australia has some of the highest UV ratings in the world and burning can happen in as little as 11 minutes.
- It’s important to apply sunscreen at least 15 - 20 minutes before you go outside and then reapply every two to four hours depending on the sunscreen's SPF that you’re using and the activity you’re doing.
- You can be exposed to UV rays (and get sunburnt) even on a cloudy day. In fact, the UV rating can be surprisingly high on these less than perfect days.
- The sun can reflect from the water, snow or buildings onto our skin and cause significant damage.
- The best way to avoid UV radiation is to stay in the shade during peak sun times and while this might protect us somewhat, you should still use sunscreen and other protection while in shaded areas.
- Sun protective clothing should have an ultraviolet protection rating of 50+ to provide the best possible protection from the sun.
Tips to make the sun safety process easier:
- Explain why it’s so important to be safe in the sun and how it feels to be sunburnt. Be careful not to scare your little one but rather try to educate them.
- Check in with your childcare centre about their process and sun policy. It can be helpful to follow a similar process at home.
- Put sunscreen on yourself first and ask them to help you apply it. Make a game out of it if you can – perhaps you take turns to rub the cream in until it magically disappears.
- Get them to put sunscreen on themself with help. This will give them a sense of independence and control.
- Experiment with spray, roll on or gel and see which texture your little one prefers. Spray and roll on sunscreen can be a novelty and may make it a bit more appealing to apply
- Where possible, include your child in the process of purchasing new sun protection gear, they’ll be more invested in their new items. No one feels cooler than when they’re trying on new sunnies!
- When buying sunglasses, look for close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses that meet Australian Standard AS/NZS 1067:2016.
- If your little one is in a pram, use the canopy for shade or an add a breathable cover. Always ensure there is strong airflow through to the pram as the temperature inside a pram can skyrocket quickly and become very dangerous.
Some fun games
Every parent knows that kids LOVE a good game and when it comes to sun protection, there are plenty of games out there that make sunscreen application FUN! Some fun games include but are certainly not limited to Spots and Dots, Body paint or even Screening to the Beat! Let’s explore.
Lots of spots and dots
Place dots of sunscreen on their arms, legs and even your child's face. Then, encourage them to join the dots when rubbing it in. Great for getting all the bits covered you know need done and a bonus to this one is you can start playing early enough to ensure you're getting them covered with enough time to spare - remember, the cream should be on about 15 minutes prior to sun exposure!
Body Paint
You'll need a make up brush or sponge for this one. The aim is to give the make-over permission to take place and let them go wild painting each other (or you!) and rubbing it in. In turn, you will get a fully covered face with contouring if you're lucky!
Screening to the beat
Got a favourite song or better still an annoying earworm that won't go away? Excellent! You should take full advantage of that and get kids 'screening to the beat' of the song at the top of their list. You'll love to hate it soon enough when your kiddo has stopped wriggling out of your grasp putting on their suncream!
