10 Ways to Protect Your Child's Skin During Summer

Harsh Australian summers can be challenging to manage when you have young children. While the fun beach days and balmy early evening strolls can bring so much joy, the more extreme heat can be problematic. Babies and young children can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so they’re at greater risk of overheating and developing a heat-related illness. And if your child has sensitive or eczema-prone skin, the heat can lead to flare-ups.

Protecting your sensitive little one’s skin during summer doesn’t stop with protective clothing and natural sunscreen. There are many other ways you can protect their skin during the hotter months - including staying consistent with their gentle bathing and moisturising routine!

Here are ten ways to protect your little one’s skin in the hotter weather.

1. Be sun smart

Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight to protect their delicate skin. After the age of six months, it’s a good idea to dress your baby in light, cotton clothing that covers their shoulders and arms. Always pop on a hat and apply a sensitive skin friendly sunscreen like the Itchy Baby Co Natural Sunscreen SPF50 to any areas of their skin that will be exposed to the sun.

2. Splash around

Water play is a fun way to cool your little one down on hot days. Set up a paddling pool in the shade, or let your child play in a cool bath. Cool baths bring relief to the skin’s surface and won’t raise the body’s core temperature. Adding Itchy Baby Co. Natural Oatmeal Bath Soak to the bath helps gently cleanse the skin, removing any irritants on the skin’s surface whilst adding moisture, hydration and nourishment.

3. Keep inside cool

Try to keep the inside of your house cool by running fans and air conditioners. It’s a good idea to close any blinds and curtains in your little one’s bedroom during the day to keep temperatures down. When you put your baby to bed, ensure their room is at a pleasant cool temperature.

4. Keep hydrated

Offer your baby or toddler plenty to drink on hot days, and offer hydrating foods like icy poles and watermelon – if they're hydrated, they should have at least six wet nappies per day (or if toilet trained, the urine should be very pale with no odour). Little ones who are under six months and exclusively breast or bottle-fed should not be given extra water, but they may want to feed more frequently due to thirst. 

5. Using cool compresses or wearing a dampened singlet

If your little one is feeling hot and itchy, try applying a cool compress to their skin or dressing them in a dampened singlet (ensuring they don’t get too cold). This can help cool their skin and take the edge off the itch. Apply the wet compress for a few minutes or until you can feel it warming up, and then repeat until the skin cools down. When you have finished, moisturise the skin to seal in hydration.

6. Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise again

One essential way to help eczema-prone skin is to moisturise regularly. Please don’t wait until the skin becomes red and itchy; make it part of your daily routine to moisturise your child so their skin stays soft and hydrated. Keep some cream or ointment close by or in your handbag, too, so you can keep them moisturised throughout the day if you’re out and about.

7. Regular bath time routine

Regular bathing is important in managing eczema because it helps to wash any irritants (like sweat, dust and pollen) that may be sitting on the skin’s surface. Adding a moisturising bath soak can make bath time an extra opportunity to nourish and hydrate their skin. Don't forget to apply moisturiser immediately after bath time while their skin is towel dry but still damp.

8. Store your moisturiser in the fridge during summer

This fab mum hack can be a lifesaver on hot days! It feels refreshing when applied to their skin and has a divine cooling effect during those stifling summer months. Keep in mind that the cold fridge will likely make your eczema moisturiser a bit harder to squeeze from the tube – but the extra refreshment can be well worth it! 

9. Wear loose, cotton clothing

Skin needs to breathe to be able to keep cool. Cotton is a breathable fabric, and wearing loose clothing can prevent too much heat from becoming trapped on the skin’s surface, which can result in itching and irritation.

10. Eczema friendly diet

A diet rich in foods with anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties can be helpful for some people with eczema-prone skin. This can include foods like broccoli, apples, cherries, spinach and kale, or fatty fish with high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. Giving your child foods with high water content, such as cucumbers, apples, celery, carrots, and pears, can also help keep their body hydrated. Of course, always consider your little one’s dietary needs and sensitivities and avoid foods that cause a reaction.

This post was brought to you and your family with love by the Itchy Baby Co. team. X

Disclaimer: Information provided is of a general nature only, and you should always consult your medical professional.