Summer Care Tips for Kids — Hydration, Food, Clothing, Sunscreen and Mosquito Safety

Dr. Sandip Gupta

With summer approaching, many parents asked how to keep their children safe and healthy — how much water to give, what foods to offer, what clothes to dress them in, and how to protect them from sun and heat. This video covers all the summer care tips. Hydration. A lot of water is lost through sweat in summer, so hydration is the most important thing. Give clean water repeatedly — a favourite sipper bottle with cartoons or animal prints helps children drink more often on their own. (A separate video on how much water to give daily is referenced; in summer, give a bit more than that recommendation.) Check the child's urine colour — it should be clear, colourless like water; yellow urine means the child is dehydrated and needs more fluids. Along with water, ORS water, nimbu paani (lemon water) and coconut water can also be given. Food. Seasonal fruits with high water content are ideal — mango, watermelon, muskmelon, chikoo and kiwi, which are also tasty. Mango pulp can be made into a smoothie for small children, or mixed with curd to make mango lassi — good for both nutrition and hydration. Clothing. Use light-coloured clothes (white, light blue, pink, yellow) since they don't absorb light and keep children cooler, and use cotton for air circulation and comfort. When taking the child outside, always put a hat on them to protect from direct sun exposure and sunburn. Best time for outdoor play. Early morning before 10 am, or evening around 5–6 pm, when the sun is weaker. The doctor specially requests parents, however busy, to spend at least half an hour with their child in the morning or late evening — this improves the child's mental activity and happiness, helps avoid many problems, and strengthens the parent-child bond. Ice cream. Unlike winter, when parents avoid ice cream fearing cold, in summer ice cream can be given — and homemade versions are best. Use mango, curd, milk to make popsicles/ice pops at home, which children enjoy a lot and can eat independently. Sunscreen. Many natural sunscreens are available for children (link referenced in description). Apply it at least 10–15 minutes before going out in the sun, with SPF above 15 (Sun Protective Factor, a grading of skin protection against the sun). Use a baby-specific sunscreen. AC, cooler or fan. Use whichever is available. If using AC, keep the temperature between 24 and 28°C. If using a fan or cooler, make sure the airflow doesn't fall directly on the child, and keep the child's body covered. (Separate detailed video on AC/cooler/fan safety referenced.) Bathing. Let children bathe for 15 to 20 minutes in summer — bath time doubles as play time. Use an inflatable pool or a large tub for play, good liquid soaps or fragranced soaps to make it enjoyable, and let them play with toys in the water — this keeps them away from the heat's effects and keeps them happy. Mosquitoes and insects. Insect activity increases in summer. Use natural insect/mosquito repellents when taking the child outside to prevent bites, since many parents report allergic rashes from mosquito bites. Keep the house clean, clean out standing water in AC and cooler trays, and use repellents when going out to keep the child safe. Questions this video addresses: How to keep children safe in summer; how much water and what fluids to give; which food items to offer; what kind of clothes to dress a child in; how to protect children from sun and heat, including sunburn and other harmful effects of sun rays; whether ice cream can be given in summer; which sunscreen and SPF to use for children; whether AC, cooler or fan are safe to use for children; how long and how to make bath time enjoyable in summer; and how to protect children from mosquitoes and insects in summer. Relevant for: parents preparing for summer and wanting an overall child-care checklist; parents asking how much water and which fluids to give in hot weather; parents asking which seasonal fruits are best for hydration; parents choosing summer clothing colours and fabric; parents asking the best time for outdoor play; parents wondering if ice cream is safe in summer; parents asking about sunscreen SPF and timing; parents asking whether AC, cooler or fan can be used safely for children; parents wanting bath-time ideas for summer; and parents dealing with mosquito bites and insect allergies. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician before using any sunscreen, repellent or product on your baby, and if your child shows signs of dehydration, heat rash, sunburn, or an allergic reaction.