Gone are the days when you and your family are forced to stay indoors because of the harsh cold weather outside. Spring is here, and it’s about time that you enjoy and bask under the warmth of the sun. Kids and babies are bound to enjoy playing,frolicking, and sight-seeing, but you also have to take some necessary precautions in keeping them healthy and safe as well. Here are some tips that you should take note of:
Sneezing & Wheezing – With the flowers that are all abloom come certain allergies that might cause some problems for kids and babies alike. This includes hay fever and springtime colds that children, especially those 5 years old and above are vulnerable to. While infants are not necessarily known to be highly prone to these allergies, they can still acquire it nevertheless. Your best line of defense is early prevention by keeping them indoors when pollen counts are its highest during early morning and the evening. Also wash hands and face thoroughly after spending some time outside as well. Stuffy nose, sneezing, and reddish eyes are the first symptoms of these spring allergies, and can be treated with over-the-counter saline drops or any anti-allergy medicine prescribed by the pediatrician.
Mr. Golden Sun – Even babies require small amounts of sunscreen whenever you bring them outside. It’s your best line of defense against the harsh effects of the sun’s UV rays, and can also lower the risk of them developing skin cancer as they grow older. And more than applying sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 or higher, you also have to keep them covered up with different covers and shades to shield them from the sun.
Don’t Let the Bugs Bite – This season, your baby is also susceptible to bug bites both indoors and outdoors. Your best chance of preventing this is to keep your surroundings clean, close the window screens, and avoid having shallow open water near your house as well. Of course, you'll also have to use and apply bug repellent whenever you go outside. To keep your baby safe from the harsh chemicals of these repellents, choose a citronella-based repellent instead.
With all of these precautions, you’d think that going outdoors might not seem a good idea at all. However, it’s all just a matter of being prepared because just seeing your little one wonder with all the sights and sounds of spring makes it all worth it.