As we all know, the summer heat in Cyprus is unbearable. Ensuring your child is kept safe during these months has to become your top priority. Here are our best tips to protect your little one during the scorching summer days:
- Sunscreen is God
Apply waterproof, broad-spectrum sunscreen even if you stay in the shade, to protect against UVA and UVB. Use a generous amount – ‘one handful of sunscreen for one body’.
Re-apply when they get out of the water and have been dried with a towel. Remember the three S’s: Sunscreen, shade, and a sun hat.
- Avoid using the pram
Avoid using the pram for naps in hot weather as it can lead to overheating due to low oxygen levels. Do not hang any clothing items in front of the pram’s opening to avoid increasing the temperature even more. Opt for naps indoors in a cool room, to avoid the harmful rays and overheating, even if kept in the shade.
- Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate
Offer your child fluids frequently. Hint: keeping a cup of water with frozen berries or fruit slices nearby can entice your child to drink.
- Let your child manage their breastfeeding needs
Let your child regulate breastfeeding frequency to maintain fluid balance naturally. Try not to breastfeed your child unless they seek the breast or seem eager to suckle. This might happen more frequently, however for a shorter period of time.
- Add a little bit extra salt in their meals
As appetite reduces during hot temperatures, it is important to offer tasty, nutritious meals to cover the children’s basic needs. Add a little extra salt to replenish lost fluids and opt for watery fruits and veggies to aid fluid retention.
- Dress up with loose cottonwear
Dress your child in loose, cotton or woven cotton clothing for better breathability and protection. Always wash them before use.
Don’t forget the sunscreen on exposed skin, and add a sun hat that reaches the neck. Avoid the strong midday sun between 12 and 3 PM.
- Diaper check more regularly
Monitor your child’s urine colour and output. Dark, concentrated urine or decreased urination can signal dehydration. Other signs of dehydration can be low energy levels, dry lips, headache complaints, nausea or dizziness.
- Temperature check more regularly
Regularly assess your child’s body temperature. If sweaty, remove excess clothing; if cold, add a light layer.
By following these tips, you can ensure your child stays safe, cool, and comfortable throughout the summer months. Remember, vigilance and preparation are key to a worry-free summer!