Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means? No piling on layers of layers of clothes. Finally! You can just put on whatever you feel like wearing without having to worry about matching your coat with your jumper and your shirt and your pants and your... you know the list. Hooray for us! But if you have a little toddler, figuring out how to dress him or she is not that simple.
For one, small children are very sensitive to the heat. Their pores are very small and tend to sweat less, which reduces the body's natural cooling down mechanism. They also generate more heat during exercise than adults do. And since little kids are constantly running around, it means that they constantly generate heat. Add to that the extreme summer temperatures Australia is known for, and you have a recipe for a cranky toddler.
So, does that mean that toddlers should spend the whole summer inside their air-conditioned homes? Well, that obviously isn't healthy. Getting your child out of the house for some fresh air, exercise and vitamin D is essential for their growth and development. But before you go out in the hot sun, make sure that they are properly dressed for comfort and protection. Here are some tips on how to do it right.
Summer clothes for toddlers should be made of materials that are lightweight, hypoallergenic, breathable and quick-drying. With that being said, there's only a small number of fabrics that are ideal – bamboo and 100% organic cotton. Bamboo clothes can be a little pricey and hard to find, but cotton ones are more affordable and sold at most children's clothing stores. Before buying, read the price tag (or online description) and look for 100% lightweight cotton clothes. Boy and girl shorts, T-shirts, onesies and dresses made of cotton allow air to reach your child's skin and let the sweat evaporate easier instead of sticking to the skin.
Additionally, to make sure the clothes provide enough UV resistance, look for a tight weave that will block as many of the sun's rays as possible. Make sure to have a nice amount of cotton boy or girl shorts and T-shirts to get your little angel through the summer.
Besides picking a heat-friendly fabric, you should also look for the right colours. Boys and girls shorts and T-shirts in light colours such as white, beige, yellow and similar will reflect more of the sun's rays, whereas darker colours can be absorbent. Not only can this contribute to children feeling warmer, but it also can damage their skin.
When you're going out with a little kid, bringing along some extra clothing pieces is always a good idea. For one, your toddler can get wet or dirty and need a change. This usually happens with T-shirts, so bring along an extra in the case of an accident. What's more, the weather is unpredictable and you never know when it can become suddenly chilly. So, pack an extra layer, like for instance a button-up shirt or a sweater in case it gets cooler or you end up staying outside after dark. But if the temperature is very likely to stay above 24oC, there's really no need to bring along any warm layers.
The skin on the face is one of the most sensitive parts of a child's body. To protect the sun from getting into their face and eyes, it's recommended to put a hat on your child whenever you're going out on a sunny day. Look for one with a wide brim that not only shades that cute little face but also your toddler's ears and neck. Again, cotton hats with a tight weave and in a lighter colour will provide the best protection. You can also put little cute sunglasses on your child to make sure they aren't blinded by the light. Make sure to pick ones that offer at least 99% protection from UV rays.
Since dressing toddlers in long-sleeved shirts and long pants is out of the question in the summer, you're going to want to opt for more summer-friendly pieces, like boy and girl shorts and T-shirts. This can leave a lot of skin exposed to the sun's harsh rays which can cause irritation and even burns during prolonged exposure. To protect your little one from UV rays, apply a toddler-safe sunscreen lotion generously on any exposed skin.
As a parent, it's crucial to recognize any signs of overheating as toddlers and small children aren't able to express how they feel properly. If your child appears to be flushed or sweaty, it may be too hot for them to stay outside. In that case, get in for some cooling off. If you notice any signs such as excessive thirst, dizziness, nausea or refusing food – contact your doctor immediately!
Hyperthermia, which is less common than hypothermia but more serious, can happen really fast after overheating. Symptoms include a very high fever, confusion, lethargy, convulsions and loss of consciousness. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately wrap your child in a large blanket soaked in cold water and head to the hospital immediately.
For one, small children are very sensitive to the heat. Their pores are very small and tend to sweat less, which reduces the body's natural cooling down mechanism. They also generate more heat during exercise than adults do. And since little kids are constantly running around, it means that they constantly generate heat. Add to that the extreme summer temperatures Australia is known for, and you have a recipe for a cranky toddler.
So, does that mean that toddlers should spend the whole summer inside their air-conditioned homes? Well, that obviously isn't healthy. Getting your child out of the house for some fresh air, exercise and vitamin D is essential for their growth and development. But before you go out in the hot sun, make sure that they are properly dressed for comfort and protection. Here are some tips on how to do it right.
Pick the Right Materials
Summer clothes for toddlers should be made of materials that are lightweight, hypoallergenic, breathable and quick-drying. With that being said, there's only a small number of fabrics that are ideal – bamboo and 100% organic cotton. Bamboo clothes can be a little pricey and hard to find, but cotton ones are more affordable and sold at most children's clothing stores. Before buying, read the price tag (or online description) and look for 100% lightweight cotton clothes. Boy and girl shorts, T-shirts, onesies and dresses made of cotton allow air to reach your child's skin and let the sweat evaporate easier instead of sticking to the skin.
Additionally, to make sure the clothes provide enough UV resistance, look for a tight weave that will block as many of the sun's rays as possible. Make sure to have a nice amount of cotton boy or girl shorts and T-shirts to get your little angel through the summer.
Opt for Light Colours
Besides picking a heat-friendly fabric, you should also look for the right colours. Boys and girls shorts and T-shirts in light colours such as white, beige, yellow and similar will reflect more of the sun's rays, whereas darker colours can be absorbent. Not only can this contribute to children feeling warmer, but it also can damage their skin.
Bring Along Extra Pieces
When you're going out with a little kid, bringing along some extra clothing pieces is always a good idea. For one, your toddler can get wet or dirty and need a change. This usually happens with T-shirts, so bring along an extra in the case of an accident. What's more, the weather is unpredictable and you never know when it can become suddenly chilly. So, pack an extra layer, like for instance a button-up shirt or a sweater in case it gets cooler or you end up staying outside after dark. But if the temperature is very likely to stay above 24oC, there's really no need to bring along any warm layers.
Don't Forget a Hat & Sunglasses
The skin on the face is one of the most sensitive parts of a child's body. To protect the sun from getting into their face and eyes, it's recommended to put a hat on your child whenever you're going out on a sunny day. Look for one with a wide brim that not only shades that cute little face but also your toddler's ears and neck. Again, cotton hats with a tight weave and in a lighter colour will provide the best protection. You can also put little cute sunglasses on your child to make sure they aren't blinded by the light. Make sure to pick ones that offer at least 99% protection from UV rays.
Apply Sunscreen
Since dressing toddlers in long-sleeved shirts and long pants is out of the question in the summer, you're going to want to opt for more summer-friendly pieces, like boy and girl shorts and T-shirts. This can leave a lot of skin exposed to the sun's harsh rays which can cause irritation and even burns during prolonged exposure. To protect your little one from UV rays, apply a toddler-safe sunscreen lotion generously on any exposed skin.
Signs of Overheating
As a parent, it's crucial to recognize any signs of overheating as toddlers and small children aren't able to express how they feel properly. If your child appears to be flushed or sweaty, it may be too hot for them to stay outside. In that case, get in for some cooling off. If you notice any signs such as excessive thirst, dizziness, nausea or refusing food – contact your doctor immediately!
Hyperthermia, which is less common than hypothermia but more serious, can happen really fast after overheating. Symptoms include a very high fever, confusion, lethargy, convulsions and loss of consciousness. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately wrap your child in a large blanket soaked in cold water and head to the hospital immediately.
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