Summer is here!

Summer is here and it's time to bust out the sunscreen and sun protectant gear! Living here in sunny California it seems like sun protection is a bigger deal all year round than it might be in other parts of the country, but the reality is that it's just as important everywhere else, any time of the year to be adequately protected from sun damage, especially delicate and sensitive skin areas. And who has the most sensitive and delicate skin? ... Our little ones of course!

Our littlest princess just had her first birthday this week and I've just been soaking up some extra snuggles with her and enjoying how "new" she is still ... Rubbing her baby softness and marveling at how smooth her skin is compared to my sun damaged and wrinkled aging areas made me realize just how much more I want to preserve her skin ... I'm so thankful for the rising consciousness of sun damage with more options to preserve and protect ... While we think long gone are the days when parents used to rub baby oil on their babies BEFORE taking them out in the sun, there still are myths to bust like the first sunburn of the season is ok ... It's not! It's never a good idea to let skin get burned as it increases the risk for skin cancer development and promotes aging ...

So to kick off the summer here are a few sun safety guidelines per the Skin Cancer Foundation:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

We of course couldn't agree more about keeping babies and newborns safe ... ;) ... and love how our Sunny Days Blankets make that task so much easier. When I'm out running quick errands sometimes the baby and I are only out in the sun for 20-30 minutes, so not much thought goes into applying sunscreen - thank God for a Sun Blanket and the protection it affords! Happy summer - enjoy the sun and fun safely!

EE