The elders of the house always advise children to show sunlight. Not only does the feeling of warmth come from the sun, but it also provides many benefits. Although, following the advice of the elders of the house, people keep the children in the sun for some time, but the question in the mind of many parents is whether the soft skin of the children will not be harmed by the sun.
We have brought answers to some such questions in the article. Here we have explained in detail whether there are benefits of sunlight for children or not and how it affects the skin of children. Just read this article till the end to get the benefits of sun rays for children and other important information.
Can babies be exposed to sunlight?
Yes, babies can be taken in the sun. This allows the child to get vitamin D. Just be careful not to keep babies in direct sunlight. Keep the baby in a light shade so that they can get the warmth of the sun. If going out in the sun, wear them in full clothes. If needed, apply chemical-free sunscreen on their skin.
What is the right time of sunshine for babies?
It is believed that morning sunlight is good for children. Especially babies are advised not to keep outside in the sun for a long time from 10 am to 4 pm. Before this time i.e. from 7 to 10 o'clock, children can sunbathe for about 15 to 30 minutes. According to the World Health Organization, the sun's UV rays are at their strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For this reason, the child is advised to avoid sunlight from 10 am to 4 pm.
7 benefits of sunlight for young children-
After knowing the right time to keep young children in the sun, it is also important to know about the benefits of sunlight for children. Next, we are explaining in detail the benefits of sunlight for young children, which are as follows.
Vitamin D – Vitamin D comes first in the benefits of sunlight for the baby. Vitamin D deficiency in children can lead to many health problems. In such a situation, the child's body gets sufficient amount of vitamin D from sunlight. The level of vitamin D in the body remains balanced by sunlight.
* For Bones – Children's bones can also be strengthened by sunlight. Vitamin D from sunlight helps the body absorb calcium. When calcium is absorbed into the body, the bones get enough of it and the bones are strong. In addition, vitamin D can also protect against the problem of rickets in children, which means that the bones become too soft and very weak. This disease occurs due to deficiency of Vitamin D.
* Preventing the risk of diabetes – Sun exposure can also reduce the risk of diabetes in children. According to one study, getting enough vitamin D early in life can protect against type 1 diabetes. Not only this, the risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes can also be avoided due to the condition of metabolic syndrome with vitamin D from sunlight. At present, more scientific research is needed in this regard.
* For Jaundice – It is normal for a newborn to have jaundice for some time after birth. If the newborn's jaundice does not go away after that, it is believed that sunlight can help. However, it is a good option for children suffering from jaundice to get better medical treatment in place of sunlight. It is not yet clear what role sunlight can play in preventing jaundice.
* For the brain – Sunlight is also beneficial for the brain of babies. This increases serotonergic activity in the brain. If there is a decrease in serotonin hormone and serotonergic activity in the body, then Sudden Infant Death Syndrome can also occur. For this reason, the rays of the sun are considered beneficial for the brain. This can help in the production of serotonin, the mood-controlling hormone, in the body, thereby increasing serotonergic activity.
Sun damage to children-
There is no doubt that sunlight has many benefits for children, but it can also have disadvantages if precautions are not taken.
* Sun burn – If the baby is kept in the sun for a long time, then the ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage their skin. This can lead to skin problems such as sunburns and rashes in the baby. In addition, the sun's rays can dry out the skin.
* Risk of cancer – If we talk about sun damage, then it can also cause a risk of fatal disease like cancer. It can cause melanoma skin cancer.
* Eye problems - The effect of sunlight can also affect the eyes of the child. Children can have eye problems like cataracts due to direct rays of the sun. In this, the lens of the eye is affected, due to which gradually the eyesight starts decreasing. Not only this, terizium (a spot in the white part of the eyes), swelling of the eyes and even eye cancer can also occur.
Keep these things in mind before showing sunlight to small children
If you want babies to get only the benefits of sunlight and not the disadvantages, then it is important to keep some things in mind. Here we are telling things to keep in mind before showing sunlight to babies.
Some of these tips are as follows-
Right time - Always keep in mind the right time to take babies in the sun. We have already told the exact time above. Also, do not keep the child in the sun for a long time.
Choose the right place – It is not necessary that the child should be taken outside for sunbathing. If the weather is cold or there is a strong wind, it is better to keep the baby in a corner or room of the house that gets some sunlight.
Avoid direct sunlight – Avoid making the child sleep or sit in direct sunlight. This does a lot of damage. Keep him in a place where his face does not get direct sunlight, but can get the warmth of the sun.
Take care of clothes – While keeping the child in the sun, take full care of their clothes. Baby's skin is very sensitive, so dress them in full sleeves and comfortable clothes.
Wear a cap – If the baby is not kept in the shade, wear a comfortable cap along with full clothes. This allows his face and eyes to be protected from direct sunlight.
Keep an eye on the baby – Pay attention to the baby as long as it is in the sun. See if his skin is not turning red. If this is happening, remove it from sunlight immediately. It could be a symptom of sunburn or dehydration.
Keep feedings – breastfeed your baby while or after being exposed to the sun. This will keep his body hydrated. If the child is a little older, then water and juice can also be given to him.
Sunlight has both advantages and disadvantages for the baby. If sunlight is shown to the baby by paying attention to the right methods and precautions, then the baby will only get the benefits of sunlight. Even a small carelessness during this time can cause sun damage to the child, so be careful. If needed, you can also consult a doctor once about this.
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