How to keep your children healthy and happy in summer

The warm summer months bring lots of opportunities for fun and making memories outdoors, however it’s important to take some precautions to keep little ones healthy.

Whether you’re spending days in the garden, visiting the beach, enjoying picnics, or are off on holiday, you want to make sure your little ones are protected against the sun.

These are some simple ways to ensure your children maintain their hygiene to prevent common summer illnesses and keep everyone comfortable.

Staying hydrated

Children are more vulnerable to dehydration than adults, especially in hot weather or if they’ve been active outdoors. This is because they sweat less, so their bodies find it harder to cool down.

Encouraging regular drinks throughout the day is one of the easiest ways to keep them healthy. If you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding a baby, you may find they naturally want to feed more during warm weather to stay hydrated. Follow their cues and offer feeds whenever they seem thirsty. For older babies and children, keep fresh drinking water readily available and encourage them to take regular sips rather than waiting until they feel thirsty.

Reusable water bottles are a summer essential, but they’re also used repeatedly throughout the day and can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned properly. Frequently sterilising reusable bottles, bottle parts and any drinking accessories helps keep them hygienic, particularly during warmer weather when bacteria can multiply more quickly.

Milton Antibacterial Tablets or Antibacterial Solution kill 99.9% of germs in just 15 minutes. All you need to do is immerse the reusable water bottle in a solution prepared with 5 litres of water and either 1 tablet or 1 capful of Antibacterial Solution.

Keeping cool

Helping children stay cool before they get too hot reduces the chance of them overheating and potential heat exhaustion.

Where possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, during the hottest part of the day (usually between 11am and 3pm). Instead, plan any energetic playtime in the morning or early evening when it’s a lot cooler. Some other ways to help keep your children stay comfortable are:

• Dress them in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
• Give them a cooler bath before bedtime
• Choose light cotton pyjamas for sleeping
• Keep bedrooms as cool as possible by closing curtains during the day and opening windows when the temperature drops outside

Paddling pools are also a fantastic way to cool down, but they do require regular cleaning. Inflatable pools, toys and accessories can harbour bacteria, mould and dirt if they’re put away damp or left outside for extended periods. Cleaning and sterilising paddling pool equipment before storing it and before the next use helps create a cleaner play environment for your children.

Apply SPF

Applying suncream is one of the most important ways to protect children from harmful UV rays. Choose a broad-spectrum suncream that is at least SPF 30 with four stars and apply with enough time for it to dry before your little one goes outside. Remember to reapply every two hours, even if the suncream claims to be ‘water resistant’.

After application, it’s also good practice to clean your children’s hands before eating. They often touch their faces, food and mouths without thinking, so wiping or washing their hands removes excess suncream as well as dirt and germs they might pick up during playing.

When you’re out and about, Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipes make it easy to keep hands and surfaces clean, even when soap and water aren’t available.

Choose healthy snacks

Fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy snacks are ideal for keeping children energised during the summer, but food hygiene becomes even more important in warmer temperatures.

When preparing food at home:

• Prepare snacks on clean, disinfected kitchen surfaces
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food
• Wash fruit and vegetables before packing them

If you’re taking food out for the day, store it in clean, reusable lunch boxes or containers. Sterilising reusable food containers before use provides extra reassurance that they’re ready for fresh food, especially after they’ve been stored away. For busy family days out, Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipes are ideal for quickly cleaning picnic tables, highchairs, changing areas and other shared surfaces before use, helping you maintain good hygiene wherever your adventures take you.

Signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration

Even if you’re extra careful, it’s important to recognise when your child may be becoming too hot or dehydrated. Signs of dehydration in children and babies can include:

• Dry lips or mouth
• Fewer wet nappies or trips to the toilet
• Dark yellow urine
• Sunken eyes
• Being unusually sleepy or irritable
• Crying with few or no tears

If left untreated, this can become serious so try to give them fluids, starting with small sips. If your little one is being sick or has diarrhoea, there are rehydration solutions that can be given. Consult with a pharmacist to check which are suitable for your child.

Heat exhaustion can be very serious, so it’s also good to stay aware of the signs associated with this. Symptoms include feeling unusually weak or tired, headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, cool/pale or clammy skin and nausea.

If you child displays signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, try to encourage them to drink fluids and cool them down with damp cloths or a cool bath. If the symptoms don’t improve quickly, or you’re concerned at any point, seek medical advice immediately.

Enjoy summer with Milton

Summer should be about enjoying time together, not just worrying. Doing things like encouraging regular hydration, protecting them from the sunlight, keeping food hygienic and staying aware of the signs of heat-related illness, you can help keep your family happy throughout the season.

Milton’s range of sterilising and hygiene products make it easier to build these simple everyday habits, giving parents the confidence that their children are protected from germs and bacteria.