Hottest baby sun protection gear: parasols vs. sun hats
Parasols
In recent years, many online retailers have been marketing parasols with black glue coatings. These umbrellas are often labeled as “super UV-blocking” and have gained popularity among consumers. However, experiments by journalists have found that even the more expensive black-glue umbrellas aren’t as effective as advertised — traditional silver-glue umbrellas can offer sufficient sunshade and UV protection.
Here are a few key principles when choosing a parasol:
- Material: Nylon with an opaque canopy is best;
- Darker-colored umbrellas block more UV rays;
- Sun-protective umbrellas also have a UPF rating;
- Bigger canopy size is better;
- Holding the umbrella correctly matters – carrying it on your shoulder offers poor protection;
Kids’ Sun Hats
When buying a sun hat for your child, consider not just the style but also the material’s safety and UV-blocking ability. Certified children’s sun hats made by reputable manufacturers use 100% organic cotton, meeting Class A infant clothing safety standards. Their fabric has an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 40+, blocking up to 95% of harmful UV rays.
Additionally, choose hats with thoughtful designs — asymmetrical wide brims can effectively shield your child’s cheeks and neck, offering extra protection.
Coolest Cooling Foods: Iced Drinks + Desserts + Veggie & Fruit Salads
What’s the best cooling food for family outdoor trips in summer? Moms can DIY some sweet-and-sour desserts at home. Plus, a bowl of sweet soup can both fill you up and cool you down — simply perfect!
Veggie & Fruit Salad: Summer is the ideal time for salads — crisp, refreshing, and hydrating. If your child isn’t keen on regular meals, try making a tasty salad for them. Just make sure all ingredients are properly prepared: blanch veggies, cook meats thoroughly, and wash fruits well. For moms who prefer not to use salad dressing, yogurt is a healthy and delicious alternative.
Recommended Recipes: Fried Egg Fruit Salad, Lemon Mixed Fruit Salad, Yogurt Dragon Fruit Salad
Iced Drink Recommendations: Sweet, tangy, and super refreshing — one sip and you’ll feel ice-cold bliss. Iced drinks are best homemade, free from artificial flavors and preservatives, so your little one can enjoy them safely while you have peace of mind!
Recommended Recipes: Chrysanthemum Tea Drink, Lemon Soda, Lotus Leaf & Luffa Tea
Dessert Recommendations: What’s the best cooling dessert for summer outdoor trips? Try mom-made treats. Options like mung bean pudding for clearing heat, silky smooth puddings, and delicious herbal jelly are all excellent choices.
Recommended Recipes: Ice Cream Pudding, Pumpkin Pudding, Herbal Jelly
Summer Heat Prevention Tips
- Stay hydrated but limit sugary drinks. Juices, colas, sodas, and other soft drinks contain lots of sugar and electrolytes. Drinking too much can irritate your stomach, affecting digestion and appetite. Stick to plain water or lightly salted (or sweetened) water in summer.
- Don’t gulp water when thirsty. After heavy physical work or exercise with lots of sweating, avoid drinking large amounts of plain water. Instead, opt for lightly salted (or sweetened) water, as excessive sweating causes significant salt loss. Without timely replenishment, your body’s water-salt balance can be severely disrupted, leading to metabolic issues.
- Avoid the strongest sun hours. The sun’s shortwave radiation peaks between 10 AM and 3 PM. Try to stay indoors during these times. If you must go out, apply sunscreen and wear light-colored clothing.
- Limit alcohol intake. In summer, the heat can cause internal dampness and heat buildup, which may trigger skin issues like boils and abscesses. Drinking excessively will only worsen the condition, adding fuel to the fire. This may leave you feeling groggy and uncomfortable afterward.
- Don’t eat overly bland food. In summer, people are more active, sweat more, and burn more energy. It’s important to include nutritious foods like chicken, duck, lean meat, and fish to meet the body’s metabolic needs.
- Don’t nap too long. Long naps can deepen central nervous system inhibition, reduce brain blood flow, slow metabolism, and lead to grogginess and discomfort upon waking.
- Avoid rapid cooling after heating up. In hot summer, after going outside or working, people often blast the fan or take a cold shower immediately. This causes pores to close rapidly, trapping body heat inside. It may also lead to sudden constriction of brain blood vessels, reducing blood supply and causing dizziness.
- The temperature difference between indoors and outdoors when using air conditioning should not be too large. It is advisable to keep the difference within 5 degrees. Even if it is very hot, the indoor temperature should not be set below 24 degrees.