Kids Health during Summer
During summer, children feel great as they are away from all the schoolwork and it is the perfect opportunity to spend time outdoors. Parents tend to worry about their kids falling sick due to the heat, but it is important to prepare them for the heat at home while letting them play outdoors during the evening hours.
Here are some tips that you can follow in order to keep your kid healthy.
Hydration
It is important to keep children well hydrated. Do not wait until a child says he is thirsty. Make sure you provide plenty of fluids before your child goes outside, while out in the heat and afterwards. Playing in the hot sun depletes body fluids, so keep them indoors during the peak hours (10am- 5pm).
What to drink
Water is always the first preference to ensure your kid is hydrated! You can also give buttermilk, tender coconut water and lemon juice with salt (with no ice). These drinks help to add some electrolytes if they have been playing.
Sun Protection
Heat-related illness like sunstroke happens when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Infants and children are at a greater risk. Ensure they wear protective clothing, a wide brimmed hat and maybe even sunglasses (with 99-100% UV protection). Sunscreen is a must. Look for products with UVA and UVB protection and an SPF of at least 15. Make sure to apply the sunscreen liberally, 30 minutes before they go out in the sun.
Health
Diarrhea is a common infection during summer. Water is the main source for this infection. Hence it is important to always boil drinking water. Carry your own water while travelling and make sure your kids do not drink water that is not boiled. Don’t drink from a public water source directly. If you notice any symptoms such as vomiting, fever or diarrhea, consult your pediatrician at the earliest.
Having said all these things, it is important to let children play outdoors and have fun. Keep these tips in mind and have a great summer with your kids!
Article by our collaborator, Dr Manigandan Chandrasekaran is a Consultant in Neonatal Medicine at Cloudnine Hospital in Chennai. He is trained in Neonatal Medicine and joined the Cloud Nine hospitals aiming to deliver high quality care to neonatal infants in India.
Picture Courtesy:
dailyburn.com
vedicastrologyguide.com
huffingtonpost.com
