Getting Outside

So now we finally have nice weather but I'm hesitant to get outside. I'm really paranoid about the sun as me and DH both burn well. We don't get good shade at our house until 4:30pm. Do you put hats and sunscreen on your LOs when you're outside? Also my guys are crawlers and we don't have a big yard, with no fences (a townhouse complex that's connected). I spent most of yesterday running to keep them out of our neighbour's flowers. I really want to enjoy the weather but just feel hesitant. Any advice or tips for this age? They will be one next week. Thanks!

 

With my girls I lather on the sunscreen and try to keep them in the shade as much as possible. They won't keep a hat on their head so that's a no go here. We have a small yard and I lay out a blanket for them to crawl around. They never actually stay on the blanket anymore though. They used to be scared of grass but that's passed. lol But I only do that for maybe 10-20 minutes tops. We have a small swing set so they swing too. Luckily there is usually some part of the yard shaded in the afternoons. Otherwise they hang out in the pac-n-play. My girls are 10mos today and on the smaller side so they have some room to play in there. Usully though once they've been out roaming they don't want back in the pnp so I try to let them play a while in there and then let them crawl. For my bigger kids - they will keep a hat on for the most part. I lather them up really well with sun screen and let them play. Shade or no shade. Make sure to lather yourself up really well too!! I told DH next time I go to Target I'm getting one of those big brim straw hats. I don't care how I look!

There is a small swing/climber combo made my Little Tikes I believe. It runs about $120. Not sure how much room you have with the townhouse but that might be a nice idea for you guys. The climber is low to the ground and there is one swing. I guess the only problem would be them fighting over the swing. There is also the Step2 Kangaroo climber. It's about $120 as well and it's fairly small. It has a little door they go through, a platform they climb up, and a slide. There are circles on the sides they could crawl out of.

 

We take our boys outside as often as possible. We just took our first camping trip with them this past weekend (even more work than I thought! But worth it!). We always use sunscreen and re-apply it often. I just bought Blue Lizard & Badger Sunscreen/Bug Repellent this past week. Otherwise I have been using the Coppertone Water Babies.

Here is a website that was recently posted on the Second Year Forum that will help you find safe & effective for both you & your kiddos:


http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/

We have a large yard, so they can crawl for a bit before they get into trouble. Is there a local park you can take them to? I know the process of getting in and out of the house can be an adventure in itself. But then again, our guys love to eat the mulch at the playground...so nowhere outside is baby proof.

Good luck!

 

+1 for the all natural Badger sunscreen. It's AWESOME!!! They just re-formulated it this year and it's even better health-wise. i used it for DD1 last year and not 1 burn (and we are very fair skinned!)

Here's safe mama's 2011 sunscreen cheat sheet!

http://safemama.com/cheatsheets/sunscreen/

We also use hats for the babies. My sister uses the rash guard shirts/shorts for her kids b/c they're red heads and she loves them.

 

Mine have always worn hats and sunscreen. I like Banana Boat sunscreen-I find it to be less greasy.

 

we are out as much as possible. We have swings and a little pool on the patio or we are just hangin out on a blanket or on the grass. We do sunscreen but my kids fight hats too. When we get to start going to the big pool fight or not they will wear their hats. I understand what a hand ful it is to go out but you all need the sun and fresh air.

 

We go out all the time... U will feel better after few trips. Get hats with straps, sun screen, don't forget water bottles. U are good to go. Have fun.

Heck out local craigslist website for small outdoor toys: litte tikes climb and swing along castle, kangaroo climber. Slide is the most popular outdoor toy. Or u can get a mini little tikes slide and put a small ball pond under it. They will have a blast but they will out grow it very soon. Push and ride on toys: big hit for 10-12 months olds

 

In addition to sunscreen and hats I dress the children in thin long-sleeved clothes to minimize sun exposure. Here, hats are non-negotiable - if the hat continues to come off, back indoors we go - I only had to to that once, they love being outside too much.

Can you create some shade for them, maybe hang a sheet over the blanket with an outdoor clothes dryer if there is no room for a more permanent structure?

We also started with a blanket on the grass for our crawlers and then added a swing, a sandbox and a slide once they became more mobile. We have a large garden but parts of it are not safe for the LOs so I need to keep them amused and busy close to me, too. If I wanted them to stay on the blanket, I brought out some water to play in. Maybe a sand and water table is an option for you, it does not take up too much space and sand and water will be fascinating for a long time.