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Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunburn Tips to Share with Kids
The weather is warming up, the days are longer and there’s more time to be outside doing all kinds of fun things! But if you're going to be out in the sun, especially on a hot day, you need to stay safe. Let's find out how.
Don't Feel the Burn
Even though the sun is hot, it does cool things. It keeps us warm. It makes flowers and plants grow. It even gives us vitamin D so we can better absorb calcium into our bodies for strong bones.
It does all these things by sending down light, which includes invisible ultraviolet (say: ul-trah-vye-uh-lut) rays. These are also sometimes called UV rays. Some ultraviolet rays pass through air and clouds and penetrate the skin. When your skin's been exposed to too many of these rays, you get what's known as a sunburn. Ouch!
Some people get a sunburn faster than others because of their coloring. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored skin, and light-colored eyes, you'll tend to get a sunburn more quickly than someone with dark eyes and skin. That's because you have less melanin (say: meh-luh-nun). Melanin is a chemical in the skin that protects the skin from sun damage by reflecting and absorbing UV rays. People with darker skin have more melanin, but even if you have dark hair, dark eyes, or darker-toned skin, you can still get a sunburn. It will just take a little bit longer.
Sunburns look bad and feel worse. They can cause blisters on your skin. They can keep you inside feeling sore when everyone else is outside having fun. They increase your chance of getting wrinkly when you get older. And worst of all, they can lead to skin cancer when you get older. Because getting wrinkles and getting sick don't happen right away, they can seem like things that could never happen to you. But you still need to be careful.
Prime Time
You don't need to hide from the sun completely or wrap up like a mummy to protect yourself. But you should take these two steps:
1. Always wear sunscreen.
2. Take frequent breaks from the sun by going indoors or moving into the shade.
These steps are especially important between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon, when the sun's rays are strongest.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Put on sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun. If you are fair skinned, you should use a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating such as SPF 30. The letters SPF stand for sun protection factor, and the number rating tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. So if you normally burn after 20 minutes and you put on a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15, this sunscreen may give you 15 times the protection. That's 15 times 20 minutes, or 300 minutes (5 hours).
But this isn’t always true, so reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, just to be safe. Do this more often if you've been swimming or sweating a lot - even if the sunscreen is waterproof. And remember that you can get sunburned more quickly when you're swimming or boating because the reflection from the water intensifies the sun's rays.
Be sure to put sunscreen all over your body. This includes some places you might not think of, like the tops of your ears, the back of your neck, the part in your hair, your face, and the tops of your feet. If you want to block the sun's rays, wear clothing that you can't see your hand through. You may still get burned through sheerer fabrics. Wear a fun hat to block your face from the sun.
Don't forget that your eyes need protection from ultraviolet rays, too. Always wear sunglasses in the bright sun, and make sure they have a label saying that they block UV rays.
Drink Up!
Drinking water is an important part of staying healthy, especially when it's hot outside. When you're sweating, you lose water that your body needs to work properly. And if you're playing a sport or running around in the sun, you lose even more water, because you sweat that much more.
So drink up and don't wait until you're thirsty - drinking before you feel thirsty helps keep the water level in your body from dropping too low when it's hot or you're sweating a lot with exercise. If you forget and suddenly feel thirsty, start drinking then. There are lots of cool-looking water bottles around, so get one you really like, fill it up, and drink up!
Got That Hot Feeling?
If you're out in the hot sun, or you're exercising on a hot day, it's easy to get heat exhaustion. Kids get heat exhaustion when their bodies can't cool themselves fast enough. A kid with heat exhaustion might feel overheated, tired, and weak.
Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly. A person may just collapse when playing soccer or tennis, for example. It can leave a person feeling really tired for days after it happens.
Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness and can cause a person to stop sweating, to have red, hot skin, and to have a high temperature. The person might become uncoordinated, confused, or even lose consciousness. It requires emergency medical attention.
Be sure to tell an adult if you're hot and you have a headache or feel dizzy or nauseous (like you're going to throw up). The grown-up will want to get you out of the sun, give you liquids to drink, and take you to a doctor, if necessary.
The good news is that the sun doesn't have to be your enemy if you wear your sunscreen, drink your water, and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. And don't forget your sunglasses. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, they make you look so cool!
Updated and reviewed by: Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: August 2007
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Virtual Baby Shower Event Update!!
The site has been updated with details on the Baby Shower as well as how you can get in on the fun and help spread the word to raise money for the March of Dimes and The Ronald McDonald House! Check it out today!!
Check us out in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine!
Our Wrapz Bandannas were featured in May, and our Baby Banz sunglasses in June! Click on the covers to see the feature!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
It's Sun Safety Week!!
This week is National Sun Safety Week! Promote sun safety and skin cancer prevention to your friends, colleagues and loved ones today and every day!
The Sun Safety Alliance provides great resources to help you block the sun, but not the fun!
Activities for Infants & Toddlers
Activities for Preschoolers
Activities for K-2nd grade
Activities for 3rd-5th grade
Activities for Middle School and High School
Did You Know...
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States; More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
- It is estimated that one American dies every hour from skin cancer.
- Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
Visit us at http://usa.babybanz.com for even more sun safety tips!
Congrats to our Comment Contest Winners!!
Congratulations to the 3 winners of our May Comment Contest! Each winner will receive a complete Baby BanZ Protection Collection including a UV swimsuit, Sunglasses, Sun Hat, Sunglass Case, Sunscreen combo pack and Ear Muffs!
Meet our winners and see what they said about their favorite Baby Banz products:
Holly - Campbell, CA
"I have regular sunglasses that are baby sized, but they don't stay on my daughters head. This is a great pair of sunglasses since they stay on with a wrap around strap which is then velcroed together. My daughter does not like to wear sunglasses, but when she is in the water, she is too busy to notice these are on her. I love them."
Ally - Brentwood, CA
"We ordered Baby Banz back when my son was 4 months old, he didnt take to them very well at first, until this summer. One day we took him swimming for the first time (we he was 9 months) and we put on on just fine, now he wears them all the time! The only thing is that they are already too small for his head (he is in the 90th percentile for head) so they didnt last long for me! I will be ordering adventure bands soon! Great product!"
The Pike Family - Ventura, CA
"My son has been using his bucket hat since 3 mos. He absolutely looks adorable and I have the peace of mind that he is fully protected. The colors are great and the hat is very durable. He has it in the blue. He also has the matching sunglasses which get compliments EVERY single time he wears them. (we also have them in green) Now at 14 months he can be a little moody and NOT wear his sunglasses as long as I would like BUT we still take them every where we go. Thanks for a great product."
Did you miss out on this contest? Subscribe to our newsletter to be sure not to miss out on fabulous contests and coupons all year long!!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Know Your Sunscreens!
Know your sunscreen: physical blocks and chemical blocks protect your skin in different ways.
When those first rays of warm summer sun hit our skin--before the muggy humidity kicks in--it's hard to resist soaking it up for hours. But basking can quickly become baking, and the next thing you're dealing with is sunburn, wrinkles, or an increased risk of several skin cancers.
Cover your skin The best way to guard your skin is to shield it from the sun.
* Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing. When you swim, wear a wetsuit, advises Alan Dattner, M.D., a holistic dermatologist in New York. And, if possible, stay out of the midday sun.
* Eat more brightly colored fruits and vegetables and drink green tea. High in antioxidants, they can help your skin repair sun damage and fight potentially cancer-causing free radicals, says Dattner.
* Apply an effective sunscreen. Whenever your skin is exposed, slather on a lotion high in SPF.
Read labels
Not all sunscreens are alike. It helps to understand the ingredients and know which rays they'll protect you from.
PHYSICAL BLOCKERS Minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used in physical blocks, which provide the most comprehensive coverage: They sit on top of your skin and reflect the rays of the sun, shielding what's underneath, explains Kenneth Beer, M.D., a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Fla.
CHEMICAL BLOCKERS Ingredients used in chemical blocks soak into your skin (instead of sitting on the surface) and help prevent damage by breaking down harmful ultraviolet rays.
WHAT SPF MEANS Sun Protection Factor indicates how much shelter you'll get from the sun's damaging rays. To find out how long a sunscreen will shade you, multiply its SPF by the amount of time your unprotected skin can spend in the sun without burning (for most people, this is between ten and 20 minutes, depending on skin type). If you burn after ten minutes, an SPF of 15 will shield your skin for 150 minutes.
WHAT UVA RAYS CAUSE
Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays can cause premature aging, such as wrinkles, and may even cause some skin cancers.
WHAT UVB RAYS CAUSE
Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are more potent, quicker to produce sunburn, and are a major cause of skin cancer. Because UVB rays cause sunburn, SPF always refers only to UVB protection. To defend yourself from both UVA and UVB rays, look for a physical block or a full-spectrum chemical block.
Slather all over
When applying sunscreen, don't forget your ears, neck, and the backs of your legs--places people often overlook. When you put it on your face, start at the outside and move in, suggests Doris Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York. "Most people miss the edges of their face, so starting there will help make sure every part is covered."
Physical blocks, which use ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, are effective immediately--no need to wait before going outside.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Children's Eye Health
Children's Eye Health
Healthy eyes and vision are a critical part of kids' development. Their eyes should be examined regularly, as many vision problems and eye diseases can be detected and treated early.
Eye Doctors
Be sure to make vision care and eye checks a part of your child's routine medical care.
Different kinds of doctors offer eye care, and the names can be confusing:
- Ophthalmologists are doctors who provide comprehensive eye care with medicine and surgery.
- Pediatric ophthalmologists have special training to treat kids' eye problems.
- Optometrists provide routine primary eye care and can prescribe eyeglasses and examine vision.
- Opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses.
Eye Exams
Routine medical exams for kids' vision include:
- Newborns should be checked for general eye health by a pediatrician or family physician in the hospital nursery.
- High-risk newborns (including premature infants), those with a family history of eye problems, and those with obvious eye irregularities should be examined by an eye doctor.
- In the first year of life, all infants should be routinely screened for eye health during checkups with their doctors.
- Around age 3½, kids should undergo eye health screenings and visual acuity tests (or tests that measure sharpness of vision) with their doctors.
- Around age 5, kids should have their vision and eye alignment evaluated by their doctors. Those who fail either test should be examined by an eye doctor.
- After age 5, further routine screenings should be done at school or the doctor's office, or after the appearance of symptoms such as squinting or frequent headaches. (Many times, a teacher will realize the child isn't seeing well in class.)
- Kids who wear prescription glasses or contacts should have annual checkups to screen for vision changes.
Spotting Eye Problems
Signs that a child may have vision problems include:
- constant eye rubbing
- extreme light sensitivity
- poor focusing
- poor visual tracking (following an object)
- abnormal alignment or movement of the eyes (after 6 months of age)
- chronic redness of the eyes
- chronic tearing of the eyes
- a white pupil instead of black
In school-age children, watch for other signs such as:
- inability to see objects at a distance
- inability to read the blackboard
- squinting
- difficulty reading
- sitting too close to the TV
Watch your child for evidence of poor vision or crossed eyes. If you notice any eye problems, have your child examined immediately so that the problem doesn't become permanent.
If caught early, eye conditions often can be reversed.
Common Eye Problems
Several eye conditions can affect kids. Most are detected by a vision screening using an acuity chart during the preschool years.
- Amblyopia (lazy eye) is poor vision in an eye that
appears to be normal. Two common causes are crossed eyes and a difference in the refractive error between the two eyes. If untreated, amblyopia can cause irreversible visual loss in the affected eye. (By then, the brain's "programming" will ignore signals from that eye.) Amblyopia is best treated during the preschool years. - Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes; they may turn in, out, up, or down. If the same eye is chronically misaligned, amblyopia may develop in that eye. With early detection, vision can be
restored by patching the properly aligned eye, which forces the misaligned one to work. Surgery or specially designed glasses also may help the eyes to align. - Refractive errors mean that the shape of the eye doesn't refract, or bend, light properly, so images appear blurred.
Refractive errors also can cause eyestrain and/or amblyopia.
Nearsightedness is the most common refractive error; others include
farsightedness and astigmatism:- Nearsightedness is poor distance vision (also called myopia), which is usually treated with glasses or contacts.
- Farsightedness is poor near vision (also called hyperopia), which is usually treated with glasses or contacts.
- Astigmatism is imperfect curvature of the front surface of the eye, which is usually treated with glasses if it causes blurred vision or discomfort.
Other eye conditions require immediate attention, such as retinopathy of prematurity (a disease that affects the eyes of premature babies) and those associated with a family history, including:
- Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor that usually
appears in the first 3 years of life. The affected eye may have visual
loss and whiteness in the pupil. - Infantile cataracts can occur in newborns. A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's lens.
- Congenital glaucoma in infants is a rare condition that may be inherited. It is the result of incorrect or incomplete development of the eye drainage canals before birth and can be treated
with medication and surgery. - Genetic or metabolic diseases of the eye, such as inherited disorders that make a child more likely to develop retinoblastoma or cataracts, may require kids to have eye exams at an early age and regular screenings.
Be sure to talk to your doctor if your child is at risk for any of these conditions.
Glasses and Contacts
Kids of all ages — even babies — can wear glasses and contacts.
Keep these tips in mind for kids who wear glasses:
- Allow kids to pick their own frames.
- Plastic frames are best for children younger than 2.
- If older kids wear metal frames, make sure they have spring hinges, which are more durable.
- An elastic strap attached to the glasses will help keep them in place for active toddlers.
- Kids with severe eye problems may need special lenses called high-index lenses, which are thinner and lighter than plastic lenses.
- Polycarbonate lenses are recommended, especially for kids who play
sports. Polycarbonate is a tough, transparent thermoplastic used to make thin, light lenses. However, although they're very impact-resistant, these lenses scratch more easily than plastic lenses.
Infants born with congenital cataracts may need to have their cataracts surgically removed during the first few weeks of life. Some children born with cataracts wear contact lenses at 6 months of age.
Around age 10, kids may express a desire to get contact lenses for cosmetic purposes or convenience if they play sports. Allowing a child to wear contacts depends on his or her ability to insert and remove
lenses properly, faithfully take them out as required, and clean them
as recommended by the doctor.
Your eye doctor can help you decide what type of vision correction is best for your child.
Reviewed by: Sharon Lehman, MD
Date reviewed: July 2007
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Parents Magazine and American Baby Magazine
American Baby Magazine June 2009 - Easy Listening on page 24 highlights the importance of hearing protection and Ear Muffs like our new ones available online now!!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Baby Banz Donation for Bonnaroo Raffle 2009
May 21, 2009 From KidzJam.org - Sun protection is one thing that we take seriously at Kidz Jam. We always have plenty of sunblock for kids in need of another layer. Shari and the good people at Baby Banz are thinking along the same lines. Their collection of sun protection for kids and babies is designed to make sure they are all set for safe fun in the sun.
Baby Banz has donated five adorable sets of Baby Banz hats, sunglasses and sunscreen wipes for our raffle. Thanks Baby Banz!
Baby Banz on CBS!!
Baby Banz Pink Floral Hat and Glasses Featured on CBS Up to The Minute segment with American Baby!
Memorial Day
Baby BanZ will be closed in honor of Memorial Day, Monday May 25th.
Join us in remembering those who served, and saluting those who do today!
Orders will resume shipping on Tuesday, May 26th.
Don't forget to protect yourselves and your kiddos during the weekend's festivities!! Slip, Slop and Slap!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
New!! Adventure BanZ from Baby BanZ!!
Checkout our latest innovation in children's sun protection - Adventure Banz!! Baby BanZ has taken our Original Baby and KidZ BanZ wrap-around sunglasses for baby and toddlers and made them even better by embedding a soft silicone nose and brow piece right into the frame.
Adventure BanZ by Baby BanZ are available in Baby and KidZ sizes in 13 cool colors for only $17!!
In addition, a polarized version is available in both Baby and KidZ sizes!!
As always, you can depend on Baby BanZ to provide 100% UV protection that is comfortable, durable, dependable and affordable.
Learn more at http://usa.babybanz.com.
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