You may be looking forward to the sunny summer months, but are you stocked on all the warm weather essentials? Before you reach for just any tube of sunscreen, check out the ingredient list. Too often, parents think their kids are protected from the sun when really they’re not. Just slathering on sunscreen and sending your kids out to play isn’t enough.

To start with, experts recommend that infants under 6 months should avoid the sun. Since this isn’t always possible, make sure small infants have the necessary gear, including sun hats with SPF protection.

When choosing sunscreen, most parents make the mistake of selecting a kid’s brand with a high SPF. Surprisingly, there’s not a big difference between kid and adult products. Instead, the differences lie in the ingredients.

Always choose products that are physical; made with minerals instead of chemicals. The sunscreen should be made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These minerals sit on top of the skin and start working immediately.

Chemical-based products on the other hand, require 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and start acting. Plus, since these ingredients leech into the skin, they are more likely to cause allergic reactions or skin irritations.

Sunscreens that contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will protect against UVA and UVB rays. And, you don’t need to buy anything over an SPF 30. These products contain more chemicals and are not necessary. Instead, stick to SPF 15 or 30 and don’t go out of your way to buy kid’s products; adult ones are just as good.

Looking for recommendations? Try Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple formula that contains zinc oxide and comes with a moderate price tag. Other products are offered from the natural brands of Badger or Loving Naturals.

Don’t forget to replenish your sunscreen supply, as they’re no longer effective after one year.

Image c/o The Fun Times Guide

The weather is heating up, and in many places, this is a great reason to get outside! As adults, we love the warmer weather, so it seems natural to want to share this with our infants.

3 “Can’t Miss” ideas for having a great time this summer with your baby:

• Blowing bubbles. Babies love bubbles, and since soapy bubbles can get sticky, this is an activity that is easier to enjoy when it can be done outside. Depending on the age of your little one, he or she might not be able to master blowing the bubbles on their own, but you will be able to bring big smile to their faces by blowing them gently and letting the baby touch and pop them.
• Get wet. Nothing feels as good as the water on a summer day, but this is something best done carefully with a baby. Babies don’t enjoy being splashed in the face, though, so be gentle when playing with a sprinkler or splashing in a pool. Drowning is also a major danger for little ones, so be very careful!
• Take a hike. Not literally, of course – a long hike could be more than a new parent and infant can handle. Taking a walk to run errands or just for fun is a great way to get outside and expose the little one to new sights. As the infant gets a little older, you can also work on developing a larger vocabulary as you identify new animals, objects, and places together.

Don’t forget a healthy dose of common sense

Everyone loves getting out and going during the summer. However, as babies are more sensitive to heat and sun exposure, make sure to temper outdoor activities with lots of shade and rest.

Use your parental instincts and make sure not to “over do” when it comes to being outdoors, especially with young infants.

Summer is definitely here and most of us are taking every opportunity to get outside and take enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. For those with young children and infants, this is a great time to do new activities together as a family.

However, there are some safety concerns unique to summer, so it is a good idea to review these to make sure that you are keeping your little ones safe.

Sun safety

Babies are much more sensitive to sun exposure than adults or even children, so babies under six months should not be in the sunlight if possible. Putting sunscreen on a child this young is also not advised on a regular basis but can be done if there is no other option.

Hydration

As the temperatures go up, it is easier to get dehydrated. You will want to drink more water, but babies under six months should not be given water. They will probably want to feed more often to compensate for the loss of fluids, so you may want to speak to your doctor about how to adjust accordingly. After six months, small amounts of water along with juicy fruit are a great way to keep him or her hydrated!

Water safety

This is the biggest safety concern for infants and toddlers. There is no substitute for parental supervision near the water, but here are some other things to keep in mind:

• Buy a hard-sided splashy pool rather than an inflatable one
• A flotation device is not the same as a safety one. Use Coast Guard approved devices only.
• Do not allow a child in a kiddie pool if he or she is under 1 year of age.

With these tips, you are on your way to a great summer with your baby!

When the weather is warm, it can be hard to encourage your little ones to get outside. After all, who wants to walk into a wall of humidity and heat when the air conditioning and couch are available indoors? However, getting your kids active is a great goal to set this summer.

Make time for fun part of their daily routine

With so much free time, this is the perfect opportunity to work on developing habits that your child will be able to maintain for the rest of their lives.

Make fitness and healthy living fun by incorporating games. It is easy to forget that what you are doing is actually good for you if you are having a good time and competing against friends. During the warm months, it’s a good idea to involve water in the games because it is something that the kids can’t do during the rest of the year and it will keep them cooler despite the heat.

Here are some ideas for fun water games you can play this summer with your kids:

Marco Polo – with one child being “it,” keeping his or her eyes closed, and calling out “Marco,” the other kids respond with “Polo” and try not to be tagged. Once tagged, the next child becomes “it.”

Treasure Hunt – throw coins or other sinkable objects into the deep end of the pool and the older kids can compete to see who can collect the most.

Water Limbo – using a hose instead of a traditional limbo stick, the rest of the game stays the same. See how low you can go!

Summer is approaching, and that means that parents will have more unscheduled time with their children. Without school taking up the majority of the day, children have the freedom to pursue any number of activities. For many families, summer day or sleep away camps are a great way to fill that time and broaden the horizons of the children.

However, this may not be a viable option this summer, which means that parents will be looking for innovative ways to keep their kids occupied. At Luna Lullaby, we believe in a healthy and balanced lifestyle, so we encourage kids to get off the couch, away from the computer or television, and get outside this summer!

3 Ways to Get Out and Have Summer Fun!

#1 – Go Swimming

It’s hot outside, which means it’s a great time to get in the water. Swimming burns more calories than other types of cardiovascular exercise, so it’s a great way to get in shape while staying cool.

#2 – Go Biking

Some people do not enjoy being in the pool, and even those who love the water may look forward to a way to shake things up and do something new. The great thing about biking is that you can travel greater distances than running or walking, so it is easy to make a day trip out of your physical activity.

#3 – Just go play

It seems obvious enough, but having fun is a great way to stay active. With longer hours of sunlight during summer months, it’s a great time to get some kids from the neighborhood and start a game of freeze tag or capture the flag.