Drying babies directly in the sun naked is still mostly done by parents. However, this is actually not the right thing to do. So that Mother is not wrong in drying the Little One, come on Find out how below.
When you dry your little one, sunlight will be absorbed to produce vitamin D which is useful for forming bones and teeth, helping calcium absorption, and regulating the baby's immune system. However, the skin is still very thin and sensitive, making baby's skin more susceptible to sunburn.
Things to Pay Attention to when Drying Babies
Before starting to dry your little one, it's a good idea to pay attention to the following things:
- Dry the baby by wearing clothesWhen going to sunbathe, the baby should still wear clothes, so that the skin is still very thin does not burn. This applies to all babies, especially those under 6 months of age. Also, don't let your little one stare directly at the sun.
- Don't dry the baby too long
Make sure you don't dry your little one in the sun for too long. Just dry the baby for 10-15 minutes a day. In addition, drying the baby should be done before 10 am. If done after 10 am, the effect is actually not good for the baby's skin, because the ultraviolet levels in the sun's rays are too high.
- Wear a hat or head protection on the babyWhen you want to dry your little one, you should first put on your little one's head protection, such as a hat and glasses. The goal is that the sun's rays do not directly hit the head, face, and eyes of the little one. Exposure to direct sunlight to the baby's eyes can irritate the retina, which is still very sensitive.
- Use sunscreen on babies over 6 months oldIf your little one is more than 6 months old, you can apply a sunscreen with SPF 15 to block the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on his skin. Use a special sunscreen for children.
Drying babies in direct sunlight is widely done because it is considered effective for treating jaundice. However, this is not entirely true. Some babies with jaundice do not need special treatment. Yellow skin and eye color will return to normal after a few days. If the yellow color does not go away immediately, you should consult a doctor for proper treatment.
Overcoming Sunburn in Babies when Drying for Too Long
Sunburned skin or sunburn It can be experienced by babies due to too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light on their skin. Baby's skin that has sunburn will appear red and hot to the touch. In more severe conditions, the skin will be blistered and swollen. The baby may also have a fever.
As first aid, you can do the following things:
- Apply a wet cloth for about 10-15 minutes to your baby's sunburned skin. Repeat this several times. Avoid applying ice to the baby's skin directly, because it will make the skin feel sore.
- Immediately give breast milk or formula to prevent dehydration.
- If your little one has a fever or looks sick, you can give paracetamol according to the dose recommended by the pediatrician.
Drying the baby should be done carefully, so as not to cause sunburn. However, you should first consult with your doctor about whether or not your little one needs to be dried in the sun.