Keep Your Cool! 4 Tips To Keep Babies And Toddlers Safe In 'Summer' Months

Families look forward to summertime when many find the time to bond and go on trips, mostly to the beach. While we find the sunny weather enjoyable, parents must keep in mind health tips to ensure kids' safety during hot weather.

The country's hot, dry season – often referred to as 'summer' – usually begins in March to May. Some of the most common heat-associated ailments to look out for, as listed by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH), are:

• Sore eyes
• Measles (Tigdas)
• Mosquito-borne diseases (Dengue, Malaria)
• Sunburn
• Prickly heat

DOH also lists warning signs parents should know that could mean your child has heat-related illness:

• Fainting
• Muscle cramps
• Seizures
• Irritability
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Weakness
• Acts or talks confused
• Fast breathing and heartbeat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty in waking up
• Body temperature rises to 40.5°C

4 tips to prevent health-related illness

In an interview with Smart Parenting, Dr. Grace Shieh-Alag, Tiny Buds resident pediatrician and allergist, lists down four simple but very important tips every parent should know to keep their children safe and cool in the heat.

Since the Philippines is a tropical country, these tips will come in handy all year round!

1. Water, water, water!

Always make sure that your kids are well-hydrated! According to an article on the site Parents, dehydration is a major risk among babies and kids. Why? Their bodies have relatively small fluid reserves, with a high metabolic rate that makes it easy to lose water and electrolytes.

Dr. Shieh-Alag says, "signs of dehydration include dry lips and oral mucosa, sunken eyes, sunken fontanelles, few or no tears, crankiness, drowsiness, dark-colored urine, fewer wet diapers or peeing less." (Know more about dehydration here.)

2. Choose the right clothes

Yes, your fashion choice can help you and your family have more fun during the summer! "Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Light colors reflect heat, and loose, breathable clothing will enable the child to sweat," Dr. Shieh-Alag advised.

3. Avoid too much sun. Befriend the shade.

While it is ideal to stay active during sunny weather, too much exposure to the sun can be harmful. Dr. Shieh-Alag said, "It's best to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. But when kids are outdoors at the hottest time of day, make sure they take breaks in the shade."

She also cites information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which suggests parents avoid getting outside with their children "for long periods if the heat index is greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit."

4. Apply sunscreen!

Even if it's not hot, many dermatologists suggest applying sunscreen daily. Dr. Shieh-Alag offers tips when applying sunscreen:

"Experts advise applying 1 ounce (a shot glass) of sunscreen on exposed skin and face. Smaller children may require less."

"When using spray sunscreen, experts recommend making four passes back and forth on each area of skin. Next, rub the spray evenly on the skin. Never spray directly on the face. Instead, spray it on your hands first and rub it onto your child's face."

She adds to re-apply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming, towel drying, or sweating. (Know more about how to pick the best sunscreen here)

Aside from sunscreen, parents also use baby powder to keep their children when the temperature rises. Tiny Buds recently introduced its Rice Collection, including a baby powder.

Given that talcum, which is linked to health risks, is commonly found together with asbestos, Tiny Buds talcum-free baby powder is a good alternative to repel sweat and keep your babies and toddler fresh!

Tiny Buds' Rice Baby Powder is available on Shopee for Php150. Get an additional discount when you join their Shopee Mom's Club.

Click here to know early signs of heat exhaustion in your kids.