We are going to a big local hotel tomorrow with family. We are staying all day tomorrow, tomorrow night and leaving Saturday in the early afternoon. My parents went early today. They called and said there is almost no shade at their pool or the big water park. I'm a little nervous. My son is 26 months. We'll be in the pool so we won't get super hot, but that's a lot of time in the sun! How much water should he be drinking? How often should I reapply sunscreen? How often should we take breaks and relax in the hotel room? I just don't want him to get exhausted and dehydrated. It is going to be well over 100 degrees tomorrow.
ETA: Thanks, everyone! This is all so helpful, already. I did buy him a long sleeved rash guard, and we have a short sleeved one already. I've got lots of snacks, fruit, water and juice. Any tips on getting him to actually wear a hat and keep it on? When he has a hat, it's him taking it off and me putting it back on every 5 seconds.
The only thing I have to add to all these suggestions is have him wear a hat and/or sunglasses if he will keep them on. Also, both my kids have the neoprene swim shirts. They are light, cool, and provide uva/uvb protection.
In a normal situation, children are best kept out of the sun when it's at its most intense: between 11 and 2 or so. But bear in mind that if you're near water, the reflected light can also burn. AND a sunburn doesn't fully reveal how red it will become until hours later. So be extra cautious with your little guy – bring some toys that he can play with happily indoors.
Just in case somebody does get burned, adult or child, Science News magazine recently reported that topical application of green tea helps minimize the damage to DNA that can eventually accumulate as serious sun damage or skin cancer.
If he won't wear a hat then get him one of those floaties that have their own shade - that way he can keep cool in the water and still be in the shade. They are everywhere - Wal Mart, Target, etc ... maybe see if you can find one of those umbrellas that have a way to attach to something like the back of a chair to create some shad for him. Also, water is best but if he isn't drinking then the main thing is to make sure he stays hydrated so if he refuses the water (or doesn't drink as much as you think he should) then offer a little flavor - add some juice to it or maybe gatorade, etc. It is just for a couple days and doesn't have to become the "new norm." Good luck and have fun!
If you get a waterproof sunscreen, it will tell you to reapply either every 40 or 80 minutes, so go by what it says for that sunscreen. I like to have my daughter in a swim shirt (rash guard) and a hat w/ SPF when swimming and in the sun. The more protected she is, the better I feel, and I don't stress as much. Although, just a few weeks ago, she got her first sunburn at almost 4 years old, around her eyes (I was so upset!) So, I just started using a sunscreen stick for this purpose (California Baby), I highly recommend it! Have a great time!
I would strongly recommend a large hat that covers his entire face and neck and a rash guard that will protect from the sun. Well worth the price. I also use sun screen under the rash guard just in case it is taken off and I forget. I live at the coast and my sons are in a junior life guard program from 10-3 pm. Both are fair and one has red hair, so I am obsessive about sun exposure. Also bring frozen water bottles so that you can offer cold water as it melts.
Have fun!
Apply sunscreen before you go outside,about 15 minutes before, then reapply every hour.
Go get one of those chairs with umbrellas or a small cabana, it will be a lifesaver.
Bring him in if
His cheeks start looking red .
he starts getting cranky
If he looks woozy, like he wobbles more than usual
We just had my nephew at the beach from 11 until 4 on Saturday, blazing hot sun, water, sand, boat ride, playground.
We kept putting sunscreen on him and having him drink juice and water. He never really did get hungry, he will be 3 in Sept.
My SIL would bring him into the shady areas of the playground every so often, or we would take him into the water.
He never got any sunburn (SIL and I did, oops) but he was really overtired that afternoon at home.
I don't necessarily think he will have to take breaks unless he seems overly heated. I would use a child's sunscreen (no store brand, they don't work, found that out the hard way) that is 100+ spf uva/uvb. Have him drink as much water as possible today! Have him drink water today and tomorrow. Bring water to the pool. If you have to find a big umbrella that stands on the ground or can be leaned on a fence. I would reapply every hour and a half, that is very often but you can never be too careful. Get your normal sunscreen and get some wet kids so you don't have to dry him off to put it on again. Have fun :)
@1babygirl, good idea. My own daughter uses those spf shirts. I totally forgot about it :)
If he refuses a hat, spray a mist of sunscreen in his hair. See if maybe he will wear a visor? If not, I wouldn't push it. My daughter refuses to wear hats a lot of times, ya can't make em they just rip em off.
Just keep a close eye on how he's doing through the day, which you would anyway. Go out in the morning and have some fun & wear him out a little in the less intense sun (apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you get outside and each time he gets out of the water...be SURE to get a tear-free sunscreen, and even then take caution around his eyes). Take a little cooler and let him eat ice throughout the day and keep cold drinks & snacks/lunch in there for him. Take him inside around 12:30 when the sun starts to get intense and let him nap or have quiet time. Don't come back out until after 2...and be sure to reapply his sunscreen before you come back out & again after swimming each time. Have fun!
Update: about the hat - neither of my kids would ever wear one happily. So I always used those inflatable boats in the pool that have the sun shade on them. And was diligent about sunscreen...hence the need for tear-free because I put it on them so frequently! If there's Walmart close by the hotel, pop in there and grab a little chair with umbrella or some other similar shade contraption...they have it all. :)
