A Little Ray of Sunshine
We’ve all done a pretty good job in recent years of being sun smart when it comes to our kids. New research is showing that perhaps we’ve gone too far the other way though as increasing numbers of babies are being diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency due to lack of exposure to the sun!
You can read more about the importance of vitamin D in this article on the Raising Children Network. The bottom line is, while it is imperative that we still slip, slop, slap and stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, our kids literally need sunlight on their skin for healthy growth and development.
This is easy with toddlers. They want to be outside burning off energy! It’s much more of a challenge with babies though and we all know how easily a bub can burn. Here are some things you can try to make sure your little ray of sunshine gets a few minutes of the good stuff every day!
- put a picnic blanket in the yard and read a story in the sunshine
- go for an early morning or late afternoon walk with bub in the stroller
- take a rocker outside and put baby in the sun while you hang out the washing
- set up a hammock so that you and your little one can swing in the sunshine together
- take the highchair outside and feed bub there
- spend a few minutes exploring the front yard with baby when you collect the mail
- sit older bubs directly on the grass and let them feel the leaves, stick, soil and grass around them
Any other suggestions for safely getting some sun into baby’s day?
Swimming in a clam shell pool. Fill with warm water from the tap. Sit under a beach umbrella = lots of fun outdoors. The kids go in and out of the shade. Plenty of rays on sunny days.
I love the photo of R:D
@Nicole
Thanks – I think blogging is making me a better photographer! Great outdoor idea too.
I used to bath the girls outside in their baby bath when they were small. The older girls are twins so one used to get naked tummy time while the other was having a bath.
Sunshine is important for bubs – and for mums, too!
I agree with Alison – sunshine certainly lifts my mood.
When I worked in child care we worked so hard to communicate the ‘Slip Slop Slap’ message, with regards to sunscreen, hats for all outdoor play and suitable clothing. I understand the concern about Vitamin D but worry that we will just muddy the waters when it comes to parents being provided enough/correct information about making choices with concerns to safe sun play. A bit like the question of how much is okay when it comes to alcohol and pregnancy or alcohol and breastfeeding.
I think you said it best here Cath;
“while it is imperative that we still slip, slop, slap and stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, our kids literally need sunlight on their skin for healthy growth and development”
I hear you loud and clear Christie. With skin cancer on both sides of the family we are very conscious of sun safety (as you can see by the pic). I just don’t think we need to hide bubs away inside!
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