Help your children feel that it is perfectly normal to put on a sun hat, use sun cream and drink plenty of water. Apply sun protection lotion generously - with an SPF of at least 25. Cover their shoulders and upper arms with a T-shirt and persevere in getting them to wear a hat, ideally with a back neck flap. A generous peak protects children's eyes, but sunglasses may also be necessary. Children's faces and eyes can be exposed, especially if they like to lie back in the shallow water on the beach or a paddling pool.
It can be hard to predict our weather in the UK, so take a 'sun bag' on days out. Everyone can get hot when you travel by car, or in a stuffy train or bus. Carry plenty of water so you and the children do not dehydrate.
Surely sunshine is good for children?
Yes, exposure to sunlight is important for everyone as a source of vitamin D, which enables our body to absorb calcium. The easiest way to obtain enough vitamin D is spending time outdoors during the summer. Our bodies generate the vitamin through the action of sunshine on the natural oils in skin. Children especially need vitamin D, because they are developing their bone structure and strength. Vitamin D deficiency in childhood can lead to rickets, a malformation of the bones.
From about October to March the sun in the UK is not strong enough to generate vitamin D and our body can store it for only about 60 days. So by the end of the winter the body's stocks of vitamin D are low. In summertime, you do not need prolonged sunbathing to produce enough vitamin D. About 15 minutes in the sun three times a week will do the trick for most fair-skinned people. Children and adults with darker skin need a little longer, because darker skin provides more effective protection against the sun. However, good nutrition can go hand-in-hand with sun safety for everyone.
Vitamin D is also available in some food: dairy products, eggs, some fortified margarines and oily fish. Some breakfast cereals may have added vitamin D. Avoid giving children many artificially enhanced food products because you cannot effectively monitor their vitamin intake. It is possible to overdose on vitamin D, because it is stored in the liver.
What should my child's nursery or childminder be doing?
Anyone with whom you share the care of your child should provide effective sun safety: hats, sun cream and drinking water. Send in a good sun hat that you know your child will wear and a T-shirt to go over a swimming costume.
Children should still go outside in summertime, but they must have shady areas in the garden. If your child is in a nursery linked with a school, then look at the playground. If the school grounds are without sun shelter, ask now how the staff or the PTA plan to improve this unacceptable situation.
If your child attends a half-day session, then your application of cream before they go to pre-school or nursery class should take them through.
When children are in full-day care, then the nursery staff or your childminder must apply the sun protection product that you provide.
Reassure them that the cream suits your children (no allergic reaction) and explain if children need total sun block on any part of the body.
