This is part of a sponsored collaboration with DiMe Media and Dreft. All opinions are 100% mine.
We’ve had a tough few months being cooped up indoors, waiting for Spring to finally arrive with the sun and warm weather. Our boys can never get enough of outdoor activities like exploring nature, splashing around with water, and simply running around to burn off energy. They just need that time outside to be kids!
So we’re thrilled that the days are finally getting longer and the sun is starting to shine.
But with all the change of seasons, comes more allergens in the air and higher temperatures that can cause skin irritations in little ones.
And with a newborn joining the family, I’m even more cautious when it comes to spending time outdoors and protecting baby’s delicate skin.
My boys suffer from mild eczema — usually showing signs of dry skin that can be treated with organic lotions and creams. But I don’t just like to treat those symptoms, I like to prevent them altogether.
We always make it a point to look for hypoallergenic products that will come into contact with their skin. Everything from lotions to fabrics that they wear! And Dreft, the no. 1 baby detergent recommended by pediatricians is one of our favorites, with it’s gentle, hypoallergenic formula perfect for little ones!
Dr. Hes, a mom and medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics, knows this all too well and offers tips on how to keep baby comfortable during this allergen season.
Tips for Protecting Baby’s Skin from Seasonal Irritants
1. Shade the sun
When spending more time outside, don’t forget to keep baby’s skin safe:
- Babies 6 months+: If your baby is 6 months or older, liberally use sunscreen, reapplying often! Also, avoid exposing your baby to the sun during peak hours — generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t forget to dress your baby in protective clothing like a hat with a brim and sunglasses.
- Babies younger than 6 months: Younger babies should be kept out of direct sunlight. Dress them in protective clothing and shielding them with light covers works well.
2. Make bath time beneficial
Did you know that over exposure to water can actually rob skin of natural moisture? That’s why it’s actually okay to scale back on bath time. This will help avoid the resulting itch — which is important for kids with eczema! About 10 minutes is plenty of time for water play and a quick scrub. Remember to use warm water (vs. hot) and leave the suds to the very end. Add a mild cleanser to keep skin soft and itch-free. Gently pat skin dry and moisturize with lotion to protect baby’s soft skin.
3. Load up on liquids
Hydration during the spring and summer months is important as baby gets more active outdoor time and sun exposure. Give kids water throughout the day. Infants should nurse or take a bottle often; older kids should tote a sippy cup or reusable water bottle. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and smoothies in your child’s diet too.
4. Choose the right fabrics and care for them properly.
When it comes to fabrics, it’s so important to choose gentle and hypoallergenic items to care for the items that touch baby’s sensitive skin. It’s also essential that fabrics be cared for properly. Wash baby items with a specially-formulated product such as Dreft, the #1 baby laundry detergent choice of pediatricians to be gentle and hypoallergenic on baby’s skin.
5. Protect Problem Skin
Heat is a common trigger for eczema, as the weather warms up, you can do a few things to prevent those flare ups and skin irritations. Shield baby from the sun’s direct rays during peak hours (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Parents can also download apps to track the hottest part of the day to help structure play time outings!
These are ALL such important tips to keep in mind as you spend more time in the sun with your kids. Be sure to save this list and learn more about Dreft — our go-to hypoallergenic baby detergent with a scent that has been loved by moms for years!
You can also enter for a chance to win a generous prize pack from Dreft below!
Dreft Baby Detergent Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a prize pack from Dreft featuring:
- Dreft Product: Newborn, Active Baby and Blissfuls
- $50 AMEX Gift Card
Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open to US resident 18+; Giveaway ends 5/25
Join us for a Dreft Twitter Party and a chance to win fabulous prizes on Thursday, May 12 th from 9-10pm ET! To RSVP, visit www.dimemedia.net #DreftSpring
Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.
My favorite thing to do in the spring time is to go to the beach and look for shells with the kids.
My Favorite Spring Time Activity Is Kite Flying.
We like to go on picnics.
We love to go to the park to play.
I like to take strolls with my baby.
I love taking my daughters to the zoo.
We like to ride our bikes and take a lunch and have a picnic in the park!
My kids and I like to go on nature walks.
We love gardening and biking.
we like to swing in the park
I like to take the kids to the park with the dogs to enjoy the day and have some fun.
My favorite spring time activity to do with my grandsons is blowing bubbles and making artwork with sidewalk chalk!
I like to take my granddaughter to the local park with a pond to feed the ducks.
We love to walk around the lake and feed the ducks!
I like taking my grandkids on nature walks, bike riding and picnics.
I love going to the farms to visit the baby goats, lambs, ducks, and ponies. And also berry picking!!
I love to go on bike rides/stroller rides with my little ones.
Take them to the park.
I like to play corn hole with my son.
We love visiting local playgrounds and parks.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
We like to go to the park to play.
My favorite thing to do is walk around in the garden.
we like to go for bike rides.
we go biking and we play baseball
We love going on bike rides.
Oh our favorite is to take a walk to the park and swing!!!
We love to hike and bike the local trails!
We have a nice park nearby with swings, etc. It’s so convenient and the kids run around like crazy.
We love to go on long walks to enjoy the scenery and learn about nature!
I love taking the kids to the park!
We love going to the park.
Going for walks!
When my son was little, we loved visiting our local playground. There is an area that has a playground called the Tot Lot. It was his favorite place! 🙂
Kayaking and bbq with family.. and i also love to play with my kids in park .
we love to go on walks to the park!
We love to work in the garden!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I like to take my kids to the Zoo in the Spring
We like to go to the pool
I like to take my daughter to the park
We love to go camping this time of year.
my boys love the park and boardwalk
Taking my kids to the zoo
My daughter and I love to go to the zoo to see the animals in the spring! We also love to go for walks and bike rides in the spring.
Just getting outside and playing with the outdoor toys.
Riding our bikes at the park
I love to take the little ones to the local play ground.
Getting outside!! To the beach for walks and to the park definitely.
We love playing at the park near our house.
We love to play in the swimming pool and “help” daddy in the yard and garden
I like taking the kids to the local playground to play.
We love going to the Zoo, park, pool, and the beach!
We love to go to the park.
I love to take my daughter on stroller walks to the library! There is a big park on the way there that she loves to stop at 🙂
I like to go with my kids to the zoo.
We like riding bicycles through the neighborhood.
We like working in the garden and going to the parks
My favorite spring activity that I enjoy doing with my children is to go to the nearest park and play some fun activities. Activities such as lottery, hide and seek and frisbee. Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing giveaway.
We like to play outside, go to the park and take family walks, Thanks for the chance to win!
Gardening!
We love taking walks to the Bay and wading among the fish 🙂
Menucha recently posted…Pregnancy Nutrition: 5 Things you’re probably not getting enough of