Today is the warmest day of the year to date. We have had many patients asking how to keep their babies safe in the sun. It is important to remember that during hot weather, babies can fall very ill if affected by dehydration, sunburn or heatstroke. Babies under the age of 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight. Their skin does not contain enough melanin to protect them from the sun. A sunscreen with SPF of 50 should be applied to your baby's skin regularly, especially if they are in a pool or in the sea. Where possible, ensure that your child wears a hat that has a wide brim to protect the head and neck from the sun. Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. As well as water you can give them sugar free diluted juice, home made fruit lollies etc to keep their fluid intake up. At night time, keep nightwear and bedding to a minimum. It may be worth considering using a single sheet that is well secured so that it will not cover their face or get tangled during the night. For any advice call in and ask a member of staff. Remember we are open from 9 am until 10 pm Mon-Fri as well as 9am-8pm Saturday and 9am - 6pm Sunday.