What do you do in the sun?

[Prusik]

Just after a range of opinions really.

The sun is my only real paranoia - I'm pretty laid back about all other aspects of looking after DS.

DS is nearly 8 months and has never really been in the direct sun. He's ALWAYS in the shade and I never really use sun cream as it doesn't seem necessary as he just doesn't have exposure.

A few friends have put lovely pictures of their babies (all less than a year old) enjoying paddling pools with regular swimming costumes on, in shorts and tshirts in the park and randomly chilling in the sun.

I'm not judging but really really wouldn't do this. I'd be paranoid after 30 seconds. Genuine question - are they crazy, or is it me?

Well he's changed my routine up by getting up at six and having a nap now!!

I used to go to very hot countries when I was a kid and had factor 8 on as that was the highest factor available. I always covered up in the midday sun and swam in a tshirt. I had non malignant skin cancer removed from my face 18 months ago and it's not pleasant.
My kids are always in rash vests and hats now and I try to keep them out of the sun in the hottest part of the day. Skin cancer can takes years to present and it's getting more common so I would say take every precaution.

You haven't been going to the park / outside on sunny days??!

My 3 dc are a bit older, but I would slap on the suncream, hat and a t.shirt and have lots of water play on sunny days.

Sunny days are for playing outside and we love it! I also agree with sun being beneficial for getting a good dose of vitamin d.

But of course it's also important to stay safe. Moderation. Have fun£

Some skin tones can burn in 10-20 mins of direct sun so take that with a pinch of salt. Should still not be in the peak sun hours 10/11-3pm.

How people respond to the sun is very culturally driven rather than based on facts. I grew up in a very hot country and with a fair/blonde mother who would burn easily where people would try to avoid it and it still slightly baffles me to see people risk harm with the sun in the UK. My aussie colleagues are much better than us brits.

It's very positive that you're careful, but don't become OTT about it (enough things to stress about!)

I think physical sunscreens (zinc/titanium oxides) are to be preferred for small children (rather than 'chemical' sunscreens). You need broad spectrum UVA/UVB either way. Understandable that you would want to keep him out of the sun rather than put a product on. It's also quite hard to make sure you've got enough/not missed any bits so I don't think you're being unreasonable.

@soslowmo i think he's a bit young to appreciate the fact that it's summer just yet. He'd rather practice his climbing skills by clambering all over me at the moment!

I know he's little, but mine still loved playing in a paddling pool at that age and that's not much fun to do in cold water in the shade tbh!

Tbh he's probably got a bit of a shit deal having me as a mum

Both my DC were born and had their early years living on the equator in up to 40 degree heat! The sun is scary but enjoyable if you are diligent. Neither of my DC have ever been burnt.

I used Badger Factor 30, organic sunscreen with Zinc. At the time it was the best sunscreen for DC. I also purchased a sun cover for my pram which had a factor 50 screen. It was by Hippopotamus and basically attached to your pram hood via straps and velcro and gave you about an extra 75% sun shade. I remember that it covered up to my baby/ toddlers feet. I used long sleeve linen tops, used a rash vest and pants on them to cover 3/4 of their body and cover the rest with sunscreen. I always used a legionaries hat on them. You can buy colourful zinc sticks to cover noses.

You can enjoy the sun if you are diligent about sun protection. With a factor of 30-50 they really shouldn't burn.

Course not!
I am pale skinned and was raised in Spain - out in the sun daily and never burned.
If the sun's out, we're out and the dc have never burned either. I love sunny days, water play and days out. Just suncream up, stick on a hat and enjoy it as best you can! (If we are lucky enough to get any more sunny days this summer that is 😬).

I don't often post here but I saw your thread and wanted to say I think you are being hard on yourself OP. You have only had this new life on your hands for 8 months and there is a lot to learn. I have three (my DS is 6 weeks younger than yours) and I am still working lots of stuff out! You are thinking about things, taking advice and wanting to have new experiences - I think that makes you a great mum.

Sun and babies is difficult, particularly when they are still lying down a lot because it gets in their eyes. It sounds as though feeling in control of the environment and your DS's exposure is important to you so I will share what we do: I have a little pop up tent that we take all sorts of places, including the park, so I can always be confident we can have shade if we want it. That + a picnic blanket + a legionnaire's hat + some suncream and you are good to go. I have found a brilliant brand of suncream (Sunsense) on Amazon that is milky rather than sticky and none of my sensitive children react to (no, I am nothing to do with the company, but it has been a great discovery for us). Consider investing in a paddling pool with a shade integrated or stick a parasol over it for the garden. We don't do much direct sunlight with babies but once they are toddling they toddle in and out of the shade and it works well. You will get more confident about the sun as your DS gets bigger. But you are also who you are and you need to be kind to yourself. My (bigger) kids were virtually the only ones on the beach this year in full sun suits and legionnaires hats and I did look at all the gorgeous bronzed Mediterranean babies in just pants and wonder whether I am OTT, but they loved the beach and being out in the sunshine, have pale north European skin that gradually tanned but didn't burn in the exposed areas and I think it probably good enough! Good luck OP

I rarely use sun cream and I live in a hot country. We just avoid the sun, the shade is fine. The school playground is covered, the children go out to the playground or street to play 8-10 am and 4-8pm. Babies and toddlers don't need direct sunlight. If we use the pool we tend to use suncream because there's no shade, but avoid it mid summer in the daytime as suncream and direct sun is not as safe as no cream and shade. In the UK and under 30 degrees I would let them chill in the sun sometimes. It's a rare opportunity, paddling pools can be a lot of fun. I think you need to chill a bit, but overall you are being sensible.

I don't think I do worry about vitamin D deficiency - I have quite a bright living room and he never wears suncream.

My Dad has Multiple Sclerosis and one of the big factors in this is a lack of Vitamin D in childhood. In his case this was largely due to his mother being such an obsessive cleaner she rarely went out or did anything with him. A bright living room is not enough. He needs some sunshine, it's really not a joke.