Expert advice for those who will be on holiday with a baby!

Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Hasan Çetinkaya stated that the sea is a more hygienic option than the pool and said that families should definitely have some basic equipment with them for the health of their babies.

"Take the necessary items with you"

Dr. Çetinkaya, who touched upon the products that families planning a vacation should definitely take with them, said, "Sunscreen, sunscreen, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, bathrobe, changing mat, swim ring or armband, thermometer, bandage, gauze, antipyretics, vitamins and medications that they use regularly, anti-itch syrups and gels that you can get after consulting your doctor. In addition to dresses and shorts, don't forget to take long pants or sweatpants to protect against mosquito attacks and a thin coat, cardigan or vest for cool nights. Don't forget to take their favorite toys and books. The sea should be preferred instead of the pool and hotels designed with families with babies in mind should be chosen. If your baby has just started solid food, make sure that you can use the kitchen of the facility you are staying at or that the facility will provide food suitable for your baby. Call the hotel 2 days before you go and remind them that they need to add a baby cot to your room. Car or plane will not affect the baby in terms of transportation, but it is important to ensure the baby's comfort during the journey. If you are traveling by road, a car seat is a must."

"Sea should be preferred"

Çetinkaya, who stated that it would be more beneficial for the baby's health if families with babies preferred the sea instead of the pool for swimming, said, "Families often wonder whether it is risky to put their babies in the sea or pool. When putting them in the sea or pool, the baby must first be at a developmental level where they can hold their head upright. Sterilization processes in pools can sometimes be inadequate. At this point, the sea can be preferred for the baby's health, as it is more hygienic. In addition, it is necessary to be careful that the baby does not swallow the pool water."

"Babies under 6 months should not be exposed to direct sunlight"

Emphasizing that care should be taken in children younger than 6 months, Specialist Dr. Çetinkaya said, "The temperature of the water is important for both the pool and the sea. It is important for babies to swim in water at an average temperature of 30 degrees so that they can maintain their body temperature. Another factor that should be emphasized is that they should not stay in the water for more than 30 minutes. In order to protect themselves from the damage of sun rays, they should not be exposed to the sun for too long between 11:00 and 16:00, when the rays are strongest. They should not be exposed to direct sunlight as much as possible. Sunscreen can be applied to small areas such as the face, where it is difficult to protect from the sun. In children older than 6 months, there is no harm in applying sunscreen to all areas of the body except the eyes. Sunscreens should be at least 15 SPF, and creams between 15-50 SPF are considered appropriate. Again, the creams should be organic and have quality content. Sunscreens have a more sensitive effect on babies younger than 6 months."