The flowers are blooming, the grass is getting greener, and the day longer. After a long winter and some definite cabin fever we are finally able to get out and enjoy the fresh air. This also means that there will be a lot of natural light for some great pictures to make prints of, for the family album. No more pictures in front of the fireplace; it’s time for pictures in front of the tulips, daffodils, and blossoming dogwood trees.

What’s more metaphorical than a newborn baby in front of freshly bloomed flowers?  What a beautiful way to create a photo keepsake or gift, to commemorate your baby’s arrival this spring. A simple wicker basket with a special blanket laid down inside would make a nice prop for such a photo shoot. It doesn’t even matter if your baby is asleep or newly wide-eyed. The natural light and blooms will make a picture such as this a family favorite for years to come.

Another spring-time renewal is the picnic. No more picnics in front of the television set; it’s time to picnic under the puffy clouds of spring. This setting calls out to be documented, whether it’s in an album or for scrapbooking.  It’s the perfect natural backdrop for a portrait of your children sitting together, eating, laughing, playing, and enjoying the day.

Some tips for making your spring-time photos flourish:

1. Take photos in the early morning hours, before the sun is at it’s highest.
2. Create “catch light” in the eyes of your subject by making sure the sun is behind you.
3. Coordinate your childrens’ outfits and stick to non-busy, distracting styles of patterns.
4. Be sure to capture your child’s energy by taking shots that are everyday but extraordinary.
5. Snap that camera a lot; you are obtaining images that will last a lifetime.

by Florentin Sardan

It is well known that there is a tight connection between the mother and the child, sensations are transmitted between the two, and if you want your baby to feel comfortable, you must perfect a few aspects with regard to the proper clothes. What you like, he / she likes too; consequently, it is advisable to dress the baby just as you dress yourself. But be careful, when your baby does not move yet, he / she gets cold easier. For this reason, it would be best for you to be equipped as well as possible, even in summer, and always try to have an additional article of clothing with you in case the sun hides behind the clouds…

During the day:
If you cannot stand long sleeves, especially when it is hot, the baby cannot stand them either! But in case weather conditions are unstable it is better to have a supplementary protection waistcoat with you.

As a rule, the clothes which come in direct contact with the skin should be cotton made. In this case, avoid body articles with caps and use body undershirts which stop below the waist and allow air to circulate. Also, it is better not to dress the baby in dark clothes because they preserve heat. The child’s head should be always covered, especially when sun is powerful. If light is intense it is indicated for the baby to wear a pair of sunglasses of the best quality. The T-shirt is indispensable in order to protect the baby from air currents when the baby’s skin is perspired, but during summer you can seize the opportunity and leave the baby with the bottom and legs naked.

For sleeping:
When there are around 24 degrees outside, do not let the baby sleep in the “sleeping bag” anymore and dress him / her in pyjamas. When there is over 27 degrees, you can dress the baby in a body, he / she won’t catch a cold!

About the Author:
Copyright 2006 www.BabiesPlaza.com, All Rights Reserved. Find a great deal of articles about feeding, baby care, birthdays, gifts and baby shower tips by visiting Babies Plaza.

Disclaimer: Please remember that you should always put sunscreen on your baby when out in the sun.

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

Question:
My baby is only three months old, and summer is just starting. I’d love to enjoy some beach time with her, but I’m wondering about her being out in the sun at such a young age. Is this okay? Is sunscreen safe for her?

Learn about it
Babies have very delicate skin, so they are especially vulnerable to the dangerous effects of the sun. Babies burn much more easily than adults, and sun damage done during childhood can affect skin health for a lifetime. You can take your baby outside, but you would be wise to take precautions to protect her from the sun.

Protecting your baby’s delicate skin
While protecting your baby from the sun is important, it’s unrealistic to think that you’ll never be outside with your baby on a sunny day! Here’s how to keep your baby safe while enjoying the outdoors:

Keep her out of direct sunlight, particularly when the sun’s rays are the strongest, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Sit under a tree, an umbrella, or in the shade of a building, or put your baby in her stroller with the canopy over her head.

Put a wide-brimmed hat on your little one whenever you’re out in the sun. Your baby will get used to wearing a hat if you start when she is little. If your baby is older and resists keeping a hat on, you’ll need to use your powers of persuasion and distraction to keep the hat where it belongs.

Professionals often recommend dressing your baby in a long-sleeved shirt and long pants; these can be lightweight as long as the material is tightly woven. You can determine how much sun will come through clothes by holding them up to a bright light. The tighter the weave, the less light ¾ and sunlight ¾ that will come through the fabric. This can be tricky because she may get warmer dressed like this, so pay attention to how your baby feels and looks, and if you put her in shorts be extra vigilant about the time she spends in the sun.

Consider adding sunglasses with UV protection to your baby’s summer wardrobe.

What about sunscreen?
In general, avoid using sunscreen on a baby younger than six months old. There are exceptions, however, and you should defer to common sense. For example, if you want to let your baby explore the beach, but hot weather prevents you from keeping all of her skin covered, it is fine to use a small amount of sunscreen on the areas not covered. (Be careful not to put lotion around her eyes, and keep the lotion away from her hands, since they may end up in her mouth.) Slight exposure to sunscreen is better than damaging, painful exposure to the sun.

With babies older than six months, always use sunscreen when going out into the sun. First, test a patch of sunscreen at home and wait for a few hours, or even overnight, to be sure your baby doesn’t have an allergic reaction to the lotion. Read the label on your sunscreen to determine how often it needs to be reapplied ¾ its effectiveness does wear off.

Choose sunscreen formulated especially for children. Read the label to make sure the lotion protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should have an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15 and should be waterproof if your baby is going to be getting wet. If your child is fair skinned, if you are going to be spending a long time outside, or if you just want more sun protection, opt for a much higher SPF. Alternatives to typical sunscreens include non-chemical varieties available in health food and body lotion stores, and zinc oxide (good for the face and shoulders).

More sun facts
Keep in mind that sand, water, concrete, and snow all reflect the sun’s rays, making them even more potent. And don’t forget that the sun’s ultraviolet rays are almost as strong on a cloudy day as on a sunny one.

You’ll also want to keep on eye on your baby to make sure she doesn’t develop heat exhaustion. You can protect her by keeping her in shady areas, and having her stay well hydrated.

What if my baby does get sunburn?
Even with the best planning, sometimes we get caught off-guard. If you notice that your baby has become bright pink or red from the sun, here’s what to do: