"Babies have extremely delicate skin which is more prone to damage from the sun than adult skin, for this reason you must take extra care to look after your child's skin," says Fiona Worsnop, expert dermatologist at Strautum Clinics.

• Jump to our list of the best sunscreens for babies and kids

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the best sunscreen for your child: SPFs, UVA ratings, formulas, sprays, lotions and more so it can feel quite overwhelming. To narrow it down and help you pick the best sunscreen, we've asked parents what ones they use with their families and which sunscreens they recommend.

You may also want to check out our selection of the best kids' sunglasses and best baby sunglasses to protect your child's eyes too. Also, the best sun hats will help you baby stay protected from the sun and look cute.

Want holiday inspiration? Take a look at our roundup of the best family hotels in Tenerife, Majorca, Ibiza and the best family holidays in Portugal.

Best sunscreen for kids and babies at a glance

• Best kids sunscreen for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics SPF50+, £26.50  at Boots
• Best spray kids sunscreen: Garnier Ambre Solaire Kids Classic Spray Sun Cream SPF50+, £13 at Boots
• Best sunscreen for kids to apply themselves: Heliocare 360 Paediatrics Stick SPF 50+, £24.99 £18.74 at Boots (Save £6.25 or 25%)
• Best sunscreen for eczema-prone skin: Childs Farm SPF50+ Sun Cream, £12 £10 at Boots (Save £2 or 17%)
• Best sunscreen for one application: Riemann P20 SPF50+ Suncream for Kids, £19.99 £16 at Amazon (Save £3.99 or 20%)
• Best budget baby sunscreen: Soltan Baby Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF50+, £4.80 at Boots
• Best kids sunscreen bundle-buy: Soltan Family Essentials Travel Pack, £12 at Boots
• Best sunscreen for active kids: Ultrasun SPF50+ Kids, £32 £25.60 for 150ml at Boots (Save £6.40 or 205)
• Best roll-on kids sunscreen: Nivea Sun Kids Sun Caring Roll-On SPF50+, £6.05 at Boots
• Best water-resistant sunscreen: Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Kids Sensitive Advanced Sun Spray, £8 at Boots

Jump to expert advice on looking after children in the sun
Jump to what to look for when buying sunscreen for kids
Jump to what type of sunscreen is best for kids
Jump to how long does sunscreen last?

Here’s our pick of the best sunscreens for kids…

1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Lotion SPF 50+, £25.90

– Best kids sun cream for sensitive skin

SPF: 50+ | UVA: Has UVA logo in circle | Formula: Lotion | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 100ml

Pros:

• Very water resistant
• Moisturising
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Not sticky or greasy

Cons:

• Quite expensive

This sun cream is ideal for kids with sensitive skin thanks to its minimalist hypo-allergenic formula which contains no preservatives, parabens, colourants, fragrance or lanolin. It's easy to apply with a moisturising velvety texture and claims to be very water resistant, non-greasy and non-sticky.

Parent tester Jessica who has used this sun cream with her 6-year-old son since he was 2 said, "the cream is super quick to absorb and doesn't leave white marks. It's very water resistant and moisturising whilst not being sticky. My son reacted to lots of other brands when he was young and I wouldn't use any other brand on him. It's expensive but it lasts a while and in my opinion is worth it."

Available from: La Roche Posay and Boots

2. Garnier Ambre Solaire Kids Classic Spray Sun Cream SPF50+, £13

– Best spray kids sun cream

SPF: 50+ | UVA: 5 star rating | Formula: Spray | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 150ml

Pros:

• Highest UVA rating
• Sand and water resistant
• Eco-friendly bottle

Cons:

• Quite expensive

This spray has been specially designed to not stick to sand and help prevent dryness due to salt and chlorine. It has Aloe Vera to refresh and hydrate your child's skin and it water resistant to help protect your child whilst they're splashing about.

The spray bottle makes it easy to quickly spray and apply. If that's not enough, the bottle is eco-designed, recyclable and made with recyclable plastic.

Available from: Boots and Amazon

3. Heliocare 360° Paediatrics Stick SPF 50+ Sun Cream, £18.74 for 25g

– Best sunscreen for kids to apply themselves

SPF: 50+ | UVA: PA++++ | Formula: Stick | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 25g

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• Water, sweat and sand resistant
• Good for sensitive or atopic skin
• Smells lovely

Cons:

• Invisible when applied so may miss areas
• Fairly expensive

Many children find putting on sun cream stressful and it's a constant battle for parents to ensure their kids are adequately protected when applying cream to a wriggling toddler! This ingenious sun screen stick for children will convince even the most sun cream-averse child that putting on protection before going outside can be stress-free and even fun thanks to it's easy-apply stick format that glides on beautifully as a hydrating fluid and doesn't involve any cream near eyes at all.

The Heliocare 360° Paediatrics Stick is dermatologist-approved so ideal for sensitive and atopic skin, and safe for use around the eyes. In terms of protection it's impressive, providing high-level, full-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, Visible Light, and Infrared-A: SPF50+ & PA++++ and our parent tester found that her children didn't burn at all when using it, even when they applied it themselves. They also noted that it didn't stain clothes.

It's suitable for babies and children from 6 months old, it is sand and water resistant.

Available from: Boots, LOOKFANTASTIC and Face the Future

4. Childs Farm SPF50+ Sun Cream, £12 for 100ml

– Best sunscreen for eczema-prone skin

SPF: 50+ | UVA: 3 star rating | Formula: Lotion | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 125ml

Pros:

• Great for eczema-prone skin
• Water resistant

Cons:

• Only has a UVA rating of 3
• Stains clothes

If your child has eczema then you may already use Childs Farm's toiletries. Their sun cream is designed to keep your child's skin moisturised and hydrated and it's dermatologically approved for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

It has no artificial colours, parabens, SLSs or mineral oils. It's also water resistant. However, it does only have a UVA rating of 3. On this, Childs Farm says, "our UVA star rating is 3, which a good level of protection and meets the EU requirements for UVA protection. As far as we know, all sunscreens that are suitable for sensitive and also eczema-prone skin have achieved a 3* rating, as it is has not been possible to achieve a 5* rating using ingredients that are suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin."

A number of parents in our Top Testers Club say that this sun cream tends to stain clothes so that's something to bear in mind.

Available from: Amazon and Boots

5. Riemann P20 SPF50+ Suncream for Kids, from £19.99

– Best kids' sun cream for one application

SPF: 50+ | UVA: 4 star rating | Formula: Lotion | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 100ml

Pros:

• Lasts up to 10 hours and 3 hours in water
• Seems to work well with eczema-prone skin
• Water resistant

Cons:

• Quite expensive
• Only UVA rating 4

Riemann's P20 sun cream claims to provide protection for up to 10 hours and is water resistant for up to 3 hours. It's dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic and allergy-certified whilst providing a 4 star UVA rating.

The 10 hour protection is great if you find it hard to top up properly during the day (or if you have a school or childcare provider that won't apply sunscreen) but do note that you should still try to ensure you're reapplying frequently whenever you can.

Parent tester Spyroula who uses this sun cream with her 4-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son who has eczema said, "although pricey, I'm very happy with it. My son has eczema and it lasts 10 hours and 3 hours in the water so it can last all day whilst at school and when on holiday 3 hours whilst swimming."

Available from: Amazon and Boots

Looking for a great sunscreen for a teenager?

Ultra Violette Lean Screen Mineral Matifying SPF50+, £34

This mineral sunscreen is gentle on skin and its zinc oxide helps to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. It has a lovely, subtle matte finish, its fragrance-free and really helps to hydrate and moisturise the skin whilst keeping it protected. Parent tester Gabby, who tested this with her 14-year-old daughter Isabella-May said, "it's light on the skin and absorbs perfectly. The SPF was easy to apply. Although it felt thick at first, it rubbed in well and once applied, it has a lovely smooth, matte finish which leaves the skin looking lovely and hydrated."  Her daughter Isabella-May loved using the product, she said "I really enjoyed using a mineral SPF, I loved the slight tint as I do not wear foundation so this offered a mattifying light coverage which was perfect. It lasted thoughout the day and my skin looked and felt hydrated." Available from Space NK

6. Soltan Baby Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF50+, £4.80

– Best budget baby sun cream

SPF: 50+ | UVA: 5 star rating | Formula: Lotion | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 50ml

Pros:

• Gentle formula for a baby's skin
• Highest UVA rating
• Absorbs quickly
• Doesn't leave marks on clothes and water resistant

Cons:

• Small capacity

This sun cream is gentle whilst offering very high protection, with a 5 star UVA rating, making it ideal for babies.

It's dermatologically tested and has no colour or fragrance to irritate your baby's delicate skin. It's also water resistant too.

Available from: Boots

7. Soltan Family Essentials Travel Pack, £12

– Best bundle buy sun creams

SPF: 50+ and 30 | UVA: 5 star rating | Formula: Lotion | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 50ml kids, 100ml adult and 50ml Aftersun

Pros:

• Comes in a bundle with adult and kids sun cream
• Water resistant
• Maximum UVA protection

Cons:

• Only 50ml of kids sun cream included

This bundle buy is great for a family holiday as it has sunscreen for adults and kids. The pack includes Kids SPF 50+, Adults SPF 30, Adults SPF 50+ and some Aftersun. All the sun creams have maximum 5 star UVA protection and are water resistant.

The bundle comes packages in a see-through zip bag to keep them all tidy and make it easy to pack and travel with.

Parent tester Karla, mum of 6 year old twins said, "I love the fact that you can buy this as a set and get all the bits, including aftersun etc in one go".

Available from: Boots

8. Ultrasun SPF50+ Kids, £32 for 150ml

— Best sunscreen for active kids

SPF: 50+ | UVA: PA++++ | Formula: Lotion | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 150ml

Pros:

• Water-resistant
• Vegan
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Lightweight
• Non-greasy
• Reef friendly

Cons:

• Expensive

Although expensive, Swiss sun protection brand Ultrasun's kids sunscreen offers powerful protection against the sun. Their advanced formula has been specifically designed with active kids in mind and provides long-lasting and very high protection against UVA, UVB and Infrared A for kids. It also has an added ingredients that delivers additional cell and DNA protection for kids by neutralising free radicals which can damage skin cells.

It's incredibly easy to use too, providing up to 8 hours of protection once applied. It's lightweight, non-greasy, fast-absorbing, water-resistant and it's designed for ultra sensitive skin too so ticks many boxes that parents look for in a sunscreen.

The sunscreen is free from oils, emulsifiers and perfumes and it's also a great sustainable option, as it's both reef and vegan friendly.

Available from: Boots, Amazon, QVC

9. Nivea Sun Kids Sun Caring Roll-On SPF50+, £6.10

– Best roll-on kids sunscreen

SPF: 50+ | Formula: Roll-on | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 50ml

Pros:

• Roll-on so easier to apply
• Extra water resistant and absorbs quickly
• Small, making it great for school bags and on the go

Cons:

• Quite a small capacity

This Nivea roll-on is really handy for on the go and makes it easy and quick for kids to apply to themselves too. Parent tester Kayleigh, who uses this sun cream with her 6 year old said "We use Nivea for our daughter as she can reapply the roll on herself."

The sun cream is also extra water resistant and absorbs quickly. It provides UVA and UVB protection too so you can be assured that your child will be protected from the damaging effects of the sun.

Available from: Boots, Superdrug and Amazon

10. Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Kids Sensitive Advanced Sun Spray, £16

– Best water-resistant sunscreen cream

SPF: 50+ | UVA: 5 star rating | Formula: Spray | Water resistant: Yes | Capacity: 50ml kids

Pros: 

• Very water-resistant
• Contains Ceremanide which helps it to stay in place on the skin
• Easy to apply

Cons: 

• Quite expensive
• Can stain easily

Not to confuse this with the other Garnier option we have, this sunscreen spray has Ceremanide in it which helps it to stay in place on the skin and keep your child protected for longer once applied. The formula is very water-resistant and will work against sand, water, sea salt and sweat.

The lotion is easy to apply with the spray function, it can be applied on both face and body. It's also kind to kids with sensitive skin as it's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. The bottle can be recycled too giving a nod to environment-friendly products.

Available from: Boots and Amazon

Expert advice on looking after children in the sun

Fiona Worsnop, expert dermatologist at Strautum Clinics tells us that babies under the age of 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight entirely if possible. "If you can't find a shaded area, try and create one with a parasol buggy attachment or pram hood. Cover your bay's skin with light, cool clothing so that they do not overheat but are protected. Sun-protective clothing, which actually blocks or absorbs harmful UV radiation, offers the best protection. Babies should wear a wide-brimmed floppy hat, to keep their face, ears and neck shaded as well as sunglasses with built-in UV protection." Sunscreen on babies this young is usually not advised, and Fiona suggests it should be used "minimally".

What to look for when buying sunscreen for kids

SPF – "SPF stands for sun protection factor, it refers to protection against Ultraviolet B radiation, the UV most responsible for sunburn. It's a measure of how much longer you can stay in the sun before burning, compared to wearing no SPF. The higher SPF on the label, the better protection it offers. For children, you should look for a sunscreen product with a minimum SPF 30, the high the better," Says expert dermatologist, Fiona Worsnop. Therefore, it's important to check the SPF of the sunscreen before purchasing. All sunscreens listed in this article are SPF 50.

UVA protection – "Protection against both UVA and UVB is extremely important in reducing the risk of developing skin cancer, and also reduces sun damage related skin changes which accumulate over a lifetime," says our expert dermatologist Fiona. "You should look for excellent protection against UVA; at least 4 or 5 star rating is recommended," she explains.

The UVA star rating indicated the percentage of UVA radiation that’s been absorbed by that particular sunscreen compared to UVB, so what you're ideally looking for is both a high SPF and a high UVB star rating. However, this star rating is a UK initiative and not a globally standardised term. You may also see the UVA logo in a circle: this means the sun cream adheres to EU recommendations which state that UVA protection should be at least a third of the SPF rating. You can also look for the words "broad spectrum" on packaging.

Formula – Sunscreens can be bought in many different formulas; lotions, sprays, roll ons, mists. It is up to you which you think is most practical and will be easier to apply to your child. For older kids it's also important as to which ones they find easier to put on themselves if they need to wear sunscreen at school.

Water resistant– This again, very much depends on when the sunscreen is going to be used, if they're just at school or sat in the garden then a water resistant sunscreen may not be necessary. However, if the paddling pool is out or you're on holiday and they're going in the pool or sea, then a water resistant sunscreen can be very beneficial and probably a necessity.

Capacity– If you're going on holiday, it's essential that your sunscreen will last the whole holiday, especially if you only use a specific brand that you may not be able to locate abroad. Always make sure you have enough sunscreen, accounting for many applications.

Duration– Different sunscreens last for varying amount of times. Some are one application a day (although do be careful) and some need to be reapplied every few hours.

What type of sunscreen is best for kids?

We know different sun creams appeal to different families and nowadays you’ll find a whole range of formulas available from lotions to sprays and roll-ons. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, it all depends on how much you apply and how often you reapply when your kids are in the sun.Parents we spoke to said they like lotion formulas for kids as you can see exactly where you’ve applied, but also mentioned how handy sprays are for topping up application or towards the end of the day when there’s less sun exposure.

“We use cream because you can see where it is, and make sure it covers properly. The only problem is it's a pain to get out of t-shirt cuffs, shorts and socks,” said mum Laura.

Roll-on applicators are handy for using on the go, as mum Kayleigh found: “I prefer the roll on lotions, they don’t get everywhere when you’re trying to apply them and it also means I can put one each inside my kids school bags for them to reapply themselves throughout the day.”

How long does sunscreen last?

You might come across some sunscreens that offer “once a day” protection but it’s not advised to just apply once if your kids are outside for an extended period of time, even if that's what it says on the bottle.

In fact, the British Association of Dermatologists (BDA) advises reapplying at least every 2 hours if you’re out in the sun.

You should also remember to always reapply after swimming or towel drying. Water resistant formulas will keep kids protected for two 20 minute intervals (40 minutes total) of moderate activity in water according to the BDA, but towel drying may remove the product so it’s always worth reapplying.

For more information on keeping kids skin protected in the skin, check out our detailed guide where we speak to Cancer Research UK.

If you have a toddler with hay fever, you can check out our guide on soothing symptoms and tips on how to treat it, and we've also outlined some of the best products below, designed to help toddlers with their sniffles, sneezes and sore eyes.

• Jump to our list of the best hay fever remedies for kids

Hay fever is very rare for babies under 1 and standard treatments for hay fever are not licensed for use in childrne for under 12 months. You can find out more information in our guide to hay fever in babies.

Best hay fever remedies for kids at a glance:

• Best hay fever barrier balm for toddlers: HayMax Pure Allergen Barrier, from £8.47 at Amazon
• Best toddler hay fever remedy for bedtime: Piriton Antihistamine Allergy Relief Syrup, £7.45 at Boots
• Best for using when out and about: Nuage Hayfever Relief Wipes, £1 at The Range
• Best toddler hay fever remedy for a stuffy nose: Snufflebabe Room Vapour Oil, £7.99 at Superdrug
• Best hay fever remedy for humidifying the nursery: Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, £54.99 at Amazon
• Best for removing pollen from the air: Dyson Pure Cool purifying fan £349 at Amazon
• Best hay fever remedy for older children: Benadryl Allergy Children's Oral Solution, £8.20 at Boots
• Best hay fever nasal spray for toddlers : Weleda Rhinodoron Nasal Spray £11.50 at Amazon
• Best budget buy hay fever remedy for toddlers: Boots Children’s Allergy Relief Antihistamine £5.35 at Boots
• Best for essential oils to help clear blocked noses and sinuses: Breaze Vapour Oil, Pillowcase and Barrier Balm £24.95 at Breaze Health

Scroll down to see our pick of the best hay fever remedies for toddlers, or use the links below for more toddler hay fever advice:

• What is hay fever?
• What kind of hay fever remedies are available for toddlers?
• When should you contact your GP about your toddler’s hay fever?
• What are the symptoms of hay fever in toddlers?
• How can you help avoid hay fever in toddlers?

Here's our pick of the best products to help ease the symptoms for your toddler with hay fever:

1. HayMax Pure Allergen Barrier, from £8.49

– Best hay fever barrier balm for toddlers

Suitable for: From birth

This natural balm made from organic beeswax and sunflower seed oil creates a barrier around the child’s nose, trapping pollen in it and preventing it from going up into the nose. It’s applied with the tip of your finger, is non-drowsy and free from any drugs. It is suitable for children and is one of the easiest hay fever remedies to use.

Available from: Amazon, Boots

2. Piriton Antihistamine Allergy Relief Syrup, £7.45

– Best toddler hay fever remedy for bedtime

Suitable for: 1 year+

Piriton is something of a household name when it comes to allergy and hay fever products, and this syrup is designed to offer fast relief from symptoms for little ones over the age of one. It contains the antihistamine chlorphenamine maleate, and most toddlers will need only 2 small spoonfuls a day. Before giving your child an antihistamine, speak to your GP first and confirm the diagnosis and the dose.

It may cause drowsiness, so our parent testers like to use it at night time just before their kids go to sleep.

Available from: Boots, Superdrug

3. Nuage Hayfever Relief Wipes, £1

– Best for using when out and about

Suitable for: From birth 

These handy wipes are designed to trap and remove pollen from your little one’s hands and face before it can take effect. Made using peppermint and tea tree oil, the essential oils help your child to breathe if they have got a blocked nose thanks to the misery of allergies.

The wipes come highly recommended by our home testers, with parent tester Jennifer calling them a "life saver". The resealable pack is also the perfect size for popping in your bag for a day out, in case symptoms appear unexpectedly.

Available from: Amazon and The Range

4. Snufflebabe Room Vapour Oil, £7

– Best toddler hay fever remedy for a stuffy nose

Suitable for: From birth

This vapour oil is designed to help your baby sleep if they’re suffering from a blocked nose, which hay fever can often cause. It’s suitable from birth and contains a blend of lemon, pine and tea tree essential oils, which do not only have decongestant properties but are naturally antibacterial too. The scent can be used year-round to provide a calming bedroom environment.

You simply add a few drops to a bowl of warm water or to a damp cloth placed over a radiator and place it in your child’s room while they sleep (keep it away from their sleeping space). You can also add it to a humidifier that's safe for use with essential oils.

Available from: Superdrug, Boots, Amazon

5. Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, £54.99

– Best hay fever remedy for humidifying the nursery

Suitable for: From birth

This humidifier is somewhat of an investment purchase that could prove useful if your child's hay fever symptoms are worse during the night, and it can also be used for winter coughs and colds too.

As a humidifier, it releases a cool water mist that helps alleviate itchy eyes and throats by adding moisture into the air. Used with the VapoPads (£22 for x21 bundle pack) it releases menthol and eucalyptus essential oils that can also help clear blocked little noses.

It is a very quiet machine, so won’t disturb your baby’s sleep and it only emits cold vapour, which means there is no risk of burns and scalds. The nozzle is adjustable, and you can also adjust the humidity level between 40 to 60 per cent.

Available from: Amazon, Boots, Argos

6. Dyson Pure Cool purifying fan, £349.99

– Best for removing pollen from the air

Suitable for: From birth

Though this purifying fan comes with a hefty price tag, it does manage a couple of functions very efficiently; not only does it cool the air in your baby’s nursery – which is great if warm weather is impacting on their sleep – but it also removes pollen and other allergens from the air as well, so they can get a better night's sleep.

Its 360 degree filtration system uses activated carbon to take all odours, gases, allergens, pet dander and dust out of the air using a HEPA filter. Gradually, it can clean the air in the whole room.

You can have it sitting as a static unit or it can oscillate to project the cleaned air around the room. It’s simple to use and easy to clean, and because it works with a remote control you can turn it on and off from the nursery door without disturbing your child.

Available from: Amazon

7. Benadryl Allergy Children's Oral Solution, £8.20

– Best hay fever remedy for older children

Suitable from: 2 years+

This liquid remedy helps relieve the symptoms of hay fever such as sneezing and itchy eyes and throat and it can be used from the age of two years, so it's great for older toddlers and preschoolers.

It uses the active ingredient Cetirizine and does not cause drowsiness, unlike some medicines. It can also be used to treat other allergies such as those to pets and dust mites, plus skin allergies like hives.

Available from: Boots

8. Weleda Rhinodoron Nasal Spray, £11.50

– Best hay fever nasal spray for toddlers

Suitable for: From birth

One of the most distressing symptoms of hay fever and allergies in toddlers can be a crusty, dry and blocked nose, which can make both breathing and drinking difficult.

This all-natural nasal spray can help relieve this. It's made from an isotonic salt solution that matches the body’s sodium and potassium balance, together with Aloe Vera gel. The result is an unblocked nose that is soothed and comforted by the gel – though your little one may find it a little unpleasant to have it squirted up their nose.

Although it's quite pricey given its size, it can be used for winter colds too and it’s great for little ones who can’t blow their own noses.

Available from: Amazon

9. Boots Children’s Allergy Relief Antihistamine, £5.35

– Best budget buy hay fever remedy for toddlers

Suitable for: 1 year+

This allergy remedy containing Chlorphenamine maleate works for lots of different allergies and reactions, from hay fever to food allergies, insect bites to pet and dander reactions. It reduces itching and redness of the skin and the swellings associated with allergies, so it’s a great product to have in your medicine cabinet at all times.

If you're on a tight budget, this is an affordable buy that's likely to offer at least some relief to your toddler if they're suffering from hay fever symptoms. Plus it's easy to administer, as you offer it to your child in a small syringe, similar to baby Calpol or Nurofen.

Available from: Boots

10. Breaze Vapour Oil, Pillowcase and Barrier Balm, £24.95

– Best for essential oils to help clear blocked noses and sinuses:

Suitable for: 2 years+

This is an ingenious solution that offers several products that you can buy separately or as a pack. This bundle contains decongestant vapour oil to put on a hanky, in the bath or in a diffuser, a beeswax barrier balm to put around your little one’s nose plus a motion-sensitive pillowcase that is infused with more essential oil.

It’s 100 per cent natural and can be used alongside other hay fever remedies to provide further relief. The pillowcase is treated with millions of microcapsules of vapour oil and the scent is released as your child moves. They are designed for single use and need replacing after two weeks, but they're fully biodegradable and compostable, and can be reused for all kinds of purposes.

Available from: Breaze Health

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen and is usually a short-lived condition that is triggered by a high pollen count. You can see the pollen count each day on the weather forecast, so if you know it’s going to be high, you can take action to avoid being exposed too much.

Hay fever sufferers are often triggered by particular types of pollen, with some affected by trees, others by flowers or farm crops. The symptoms can start as early as March and go on until October. It does not occur in the winter, which is how you can tell that that the symptoms are hay fever and not some kind of virus.

Hay fever in toddlers may be worse some years than others due to things like weather conditions. You can develop hay fever at any time, in childhood or as an adult. For more information on spotting it and preventing it, scroll to the bottom of this article.

What kind of hay fever remedies are available for toddlers?

Antihistamines

This is a drug that helps block the effects and symptoms of an allergic reaction. It is good at relieving symptoms like sneezing, itchiness, and watery eyes. It may cause drowsiness (check the label). Always speak to a pharmacist or GP about what your child can take, the recommended dose and how often they can have it. Children's antihistamines will be different to the one-a-day pills sold for adults, for example.

Eye drops

These can be used to reduce eye itchiness and redness. They contain anti-inflammatory medicines.

Nasal drops

These may be medicated to reduce sneezing or be a natural product to help prevent the dry nose that often comes with sneezing a lot.

Barrier products

These can be jelly or wax-like substances designed to be spread around the nostrils. They trap pollen, to prevent it getting further into the nose.

Wipes

Used like a wet wipe, these can help wipe away pollen and dust when you’re out and about. Some have essential oils on them too, to aid breathing.

Tablets

Antihistamine often comes in tablets for adults, but a syrup is much easier to administer to a toddler. There are some homeopathic tablets that are dissolved on the tongue that claim to help with hay fever but again, it might be hard for a toddler to manage this. It's also worth noting the NHS does not recommend homeopathy due to lack of evidence of its effectiveness.

When should you contact your GP about your toddler’s hay fever?

If your little one is really suffering from the effects of hay fever, you might want to speak to a pharmacist or your GP is they have: 

• Bad symptoms and they are under two
• Symptoms that aren’t responding to medications
• Adverse effects to medication
• Worsening asthma, shortness of breath or wheezing
• Unusual symptoms or having symptoms at different times of the year such as winter. They may be allergenic to something other than pollen

Anshu Kaura, Pharmacist at Lloyds Pharmacy, advises: "It’s clear from our research that allergic reactions are not only extremely common amongst Brits but are also not mild and can often be really debilitating, making it incredibly difficult to continue with their everyday lives.

"That’s why it is so important for those who do live with allergies – especially those that flare up seasonally – to speak to a pharmacist or GP to know exactly what is causing them, so they can get the best possible support to mitigate the symptoms. Lloyds Pharmacy is here to offer advice – just drop into one of our stores where one of our pharmacists will be there to help."

What are the symptoms of hay fever in toddlers?

• Itching, red, streaming eyes
• Sneezing and coughing
• Tiredness and problems sleeping due to the symptoms
• A blocked nose and sinuses
• Itching of the throat and nose
• Headache and earache

If your toddler also has asthma, they might also:

• Have a tight chest
• be short of breath
• Have a cough or a wheeze

Is it a cold, a virus or hay fever?

It is notoriously difficult to diagnose health conditions in small children but generally speaking, a cold or virus will last a week or two and then go away, whereas hay fever can last several weeks.

How can you help avoid hay fever in toddlers?

Prevention is always better than cure, so try these simple methods to help protect your little one from the worst effects of hay fever:

• Close windows and doors so that pollen doesn’t blow in
• Buy some sunglasses for your child to prevent pollen blowing into the eyes
• Put a small amount of petroleum jelly or a pollen blocker around your child’s nostrils – this traps pollen, preventing it from being breathed in
• When your child has been outdoors, wash their hair, hands and face or put them in the bath and then put them into clean clothes
• Dry your child’s clothes indoors to prevent their having pollen on them
• When your child does play outside, avoid fields, grasslands and large gardens
• Consider buying an air filtration unit
• Wash their hands frequently and wipes hands and faces with anti-hay fever wipes
• Avoid spending too much time outdoors
• Avoid freshly mown grass and fresh flowers
• Clean your home regularly – look for a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and use a damp cloth to dust

Read more:

• Can babies get hay fever?
• Does my toddler have hay fever?
• Best kids' sunglasses
• Best sunglasses for babies
• Best buggy sunshades and covers

Spotting the signs of bad eyesight in young kids isn't as easy as you might think. Many children don't even realise their vision is bad or simply don't have the words to explain what they're seeing (or not!). But with shortsightedness on the rise – 1 in 5 children in the UK now suffer from an eye condition and an estimated 1.6 million are living with an undetected eye problem¹ – it's something that's important to sort before it becomes a bigger issue.

If you haven't been to an optician with your child before the age of 4, starting school is often the time when you might start to wonder if your child will be able to see the board or the words in the book that they're learning to read.

“Eyesight is a crucial part of a child’s development and vision problems can have a real knock-on effect on their social, academic and physical development, as well as leading to further issues with their sight," says Mark Shelton, Optometrist at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists. "So, it’s important to be aware of the signs that your child may need some extra help and know how to get your children’s eyesight back on track.”

Here's everything you need to know about childhood eye tests, from when they should happen to what you can do to help keep your child's eyes healthy...

Want to know which social generation your child is part of, how it shapes their life and what your own generation's style of parenting means for them? Read our simple generation guide: What generation is my child? This guide is broken down by approximate birth years, to help you understand how and why your child sees the world differently to you.

When should you get your child's eyes tested?

All newborn babies' eyes are checked soon after birth (within 72 hours) by a doctor or specially trained midwife as part of the newborn physical examination. This test involves having a light shone in the eyes to check for a red reflex, which confirms there are no cataracts and that all is normal. This examination will be done again at around 6 - 8 weeks to check nothing was missed at birth.²

After this point there are no compulsory eye examinations for children, although you will be asked if you have any concerns about your child's eyesight at their developmental reviews at the age of 1 or between 2 and 2.5 years of age and, if you do, an eye test will be arranged.

The next time your child's eyes might be checked is at the age of 4/ 5 when they start school as part of a vision screening programme. However, this does not happen in all schools or areas across the UK, so it's a bit of a lottery depending on where you live. In Scotland, there's a pre-school orthoptic vision screening programme for children registered with a GP in all NHS Scotland health boards.

If your child doesn't have this screening, parents are advised to book an appointment themselves and after this test, in an ideal world, children should see an optician every two years, unless you notice a problem beforehand.

“Eye examinations are available for free on the NHS for under-16s or anyone aged between 16 and 18 and in full-time education," says Mark.

"Trained optometrists will examine overall eye health, as well as vision. The College of Optometrists recommends children have their eyes tested regularly from three years old. For children aged 4 to 5, there may be a vision screening available at their school, but this only checks for some common vision problems.

“If a vision screening is not available in your local area, you can take them to see your local optometrist for a sight test, where a detailed eye examination can pick up vision or eye health problems.”

What are the signs your child might need glasses?

They're squinting

An early and often easy-to-spot sign in children with poor eyesight is squinting, although in summer it can be harder to notice due to bright sunshine also making kids squint.

“Squinting or rubbing the eyes is a classic sign of visual impairment, as people do this to reduce the amount of light entering the eyes and improve focus, and our children are no different," says Mark. "If you notice your child doing this as they are trying to focus on an object, whether in the distance or up close when reading a book for example, it could be a sign they need glasses.”

They're sitting close to screens and holding reading books close

Have you noticed that your child is constantly dragging a chair closer to the TV screen or holding a tablet right up to their face? When they're reading or looking at books are they holding it a bit closer than you'd consider necessary? "This could indicate vision problems such as myopia, otherwise known as short-sightedness," says Mark.

"This condition leads to children having difficulty seeing things far away, so they get as close as possible when trying to concentrate on a screen and books, to counteract this. Sometimes children might even purposefully close one eye when trying to read. Over the longer term, this can lead to eye strain and cause vision to deteriorate further.”

 They're having problems at school

Has your little maths genius suddenly gone down a school set? Or is your primary school child starting to stumble over their previously impressive reading? “A change in the condition of young eyes can affect other things, too," says Mark.

"For example, there might be a sudden change in their academic performance at school, they might demonstrate confusion when doing certain activities or show a lack of focus when you’re interacting with them. Additionally, they might be unusually clumsy or struggle with hand-eye coordination.” It's important to speak to the school and ask if they've got any concerns, as often teachers are the first to notice eye problems in kids.

They're complaining of headaches

“Children who struggle to focus their vision can suffer from eye strain which manifests in headaches," says Mark. "While there can be a number of reasons a child complains of a sore head, stay vigilant for headaches which can occur when they have been doing tasks which rely on focusing visually, such as reading a book.”

How to look after your child’s eyesight 

Get them outdoors

“Studies show that spending even just a couple of hours a day outside can reduce the likelihood of children developing myopia," says Mark. "It can also stop further deterioration of the eyes. The more natural light helps eyes to develop properly, as well as getting them away from close-up activities like screens and reading which are more common indoors.”

Reduce screen time

We all know that too much screen time isn't good for our kids in terms of behaviour and their social development, but have you ever considered that it could be negatively affecting their eyesight too? “The summer holiday childcare juggle is challenging for many parents and can result in more screen time," says Mark.

"But spending a lot of time looking at digital screens has a real toll on our eyes, as well as increasing the risk of developing myopia. The likelihood of developing this condition is 3.5 times greater when children spend seven hours or more on screens so it’s important to manage daily screen time over the holidays.”

Encourage them to eat a balanced diet

In an ideal world, we'd all have our children munching on broccoli and kale every night, but we get that it's not that easy. However, a child's diet can affect their eyesight so persevering with the fruit, veg and protein is worth it.

“Getting your child to eat a healthy balanced diet can be challenging, but it’s good to be aware of the foods which contribute to good eye health, such as fruit, vegetables and fish – and incorporate them into your child’s meals where possible,” says Mark.

Arrange an eye exam

The most important way you can help your child if you're concerned about their eyesight is to take them to see an expert. “Should you have any concerns about your child’s vision it’s important to see an optometrist to prevent any further deterioration or wider impact on your child’s health, wellbeing and development," says Mark.

Pics: Getty Images 

References:

<sup>1. 1.6 million school-aged children are estimated to be living with an undetected vision problem, visionmatters.org.uk
2. Eye tests for children, NHS online</sup>

Read more:

• How to create an effective after-school routine
• Top tips for the first day of school
• Back to school sales 2024

Whooping cough, or to use its medical name, pertussis, is due to an infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is also sometimes called, the 100-day cough.

The symptoms of whooping cough are due to the bacteria affecting the airways leading to a cough. Symptoms tend to start between 5 and 12 days after you have been infected and have three stages.

Do you have a snuffly baby struggling to sleep and feed with a blocked nose? Find out how to alleviate your babys symptoms with our new born blocked nose guide.

1. The catarrhal/early phase

In the early stage, symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat and a mild cough, and a fever can occur, meaning that it is similar to lots of cough/colds.

2. The paroxysmal, or coughing phase.

This is where symptoms begin to differ from other cough/cold infections, which tend to improve after a few days.

With whooping cough, although sneezing, runny nose and fever improve, after about 1-2 weeks the cough begins to get worse leading to intense bouts, or paroxysms, of coughing.  Your child can have many many bouts of coughing each day, and this phase can last a couple of weeks or more.

A bout of coughing means that your child is coughing and coughing, multiple times in a short period. Each cough involves exhaling, and in about half of cases, as your child tries to breathe in there is often a whooping sound. During a coughing bout, you might see your child going red in the face, during the minute or so of the paroxysm.

They might have lots of bouts one after the other, or may also cough up thick mucus and/or vomit after coughing episodes.  Then in between bouts, they may be back to normal, running around and playing!

3. The convalescent, or easing phase

The cough of the whooping cough infection can last up to three months, hence the name 100-day cough. But in this last phase, the paroxysms of coughing gradually ease, becoming less frequent each day.

What should you do if you suspect your baby or child has whooping cough?

If you are concerned that you or your child has whooping cough, then please contact your doctor.

A swab can be taken from the back of the nose for whooping cough, but the results can take some time to come back, so if your symptoms sound typical of whooping cough, you may be given treatment with antibiotics while waiting for the swab results.

If your child isn’t seen for the first few weeks, the swab may well come back negative as the bacteria may no longer be in the body but the results of the infection in terms of the cough, can take much longer to go away.  Sometimes a blood test is then used to confirm the diagnosis.

If your baby is under 6 months old, if your child is getting worse or not improving, or if you are pregnant and think you either have whooping cough or have been in contact with someone who has it, please see your GP or phone 111 urgently.

Why is whooping cough seeing a resurgence at the moment?

Whooping cough has been on the rise this year with almost 8,000 cases confirmed between January and May 2024, which sadly include 9 infant deaths.

Whooping cough seems to be a cyclical infection, in that there are peaks of infection every 3 to 5 years.  The last peak seen in the UK was in 2016, so we are overdue for a peak of infection and it is thought that the pandemic may have delayed this, as we all restricted and changed our behaviours.

Although we have an immunisation against whooping cough, not everyone takes the vaccines, including pregnant women.  In fact, only just under 60% of pregnant women had the vaccine in March 2024, compared with over 70% in the same month in 2017.¹

Is whooping cough more dangerous for babies and children than adults?

The cough of whooping cough is miserable, with children often vomiting after coughing.  Most people will get better, in time, but some may develop complications, which are more common in babies under 12 months old.

Complications include pneumonia as well as painful ribs and even a hernia from the raised pressure in the tummy during coughing.

Dehydration can occur and can be fatal, from not drinking due to coughing and vomiting, if your child stops urinating, or if the urine appears very concentrated and in small amounts, if they appear to be more unwell, difficult to rouse or you have concerns please seek urgent medical help.

A medical emergency that can occur is a pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung. If your child appears more unwell, if they are having difficulty breathing, are breathing extremely rapidly, appear blue/grey around the mouth or face, have a seizure or stop breathing phone 999.

How can parents protect themselves and their children against whooping cough? Can you still get it if you are vaccinated?

The old saying prevention is better than cure remains true and there is a vaccine against whooping cough. This is routinely offered as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine which is given to children aged 2 and 3 years and 4 months old before a booster dose at the pre-school boosters appointment, which are given between ages 3 years 4 months and age 5.

In addition to this, if you are pregnant you will be offered a whooping cough vaccine.  This is actually to try and protect your baby before they are old enough to get their vaccines. Please see our feature about whooping cough vaccinations for more information.

If you have been in contact with someone who has had whooping cough then you may be eligible for antibiotics to try and prevent you from getting the condition. These are often given to babies under 6 months old as they are more likely to develop complications.

No vaccine is 100% effective, but giving the whooping cough vaccine to women during pregnancy is 90% effective in preventing whooping cough in babies under 3 months old.²

What is used to treat whooping cough? Is there anything parents can give children at home if it’s a mild case?

Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics. Make sure that your child stays hydrated, so give plenty of fluids and if they are uncomfortable/unwell with a fever then paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given.  As always if you have concerns please seek medical advice.

How long does whooping cough last and how long are you contagious?

While the symptoms of whooping cough can last approximately three months, it is most contagious for the first three weeks of the infection and is spread by breathing in droplets containing the bacteria in the air, from coughs and sneezes etc.

If your child has whooping cough, you will be advised to keep your child at home/off school for 2 days after starting antibiotics for whooping cough, or for 2 weeks after symptoms start if antibiotics are not used.

If you don’t use antibiotics, even if you are still coughing, after 14 days children can go back to school. Sticking to these rules helps prevent the spread of the infection.

And remember, it is never too late to be vaccinated against conditions like whooping cough if you did not give your little ones the vaccines when they were babies, please contact your GP for more information.

Please note: this advice is not personalised or meant to replace individual advice given to you about your child by your doctor or medical team. As always, if you are concerned about your child’s health then please seek medical advice.

References:

<sup>1. UKHSA encourages timely vaccination as whooping cough cases rise, gov.uk
2. Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination programme for pregnant women: information for healthcare practitioners, gov.uk</sup>

Read more:

• Is the combined whooping cough vaccination safe when pregnant?
• Kids' coughs - when to take your child to the doctors
• What to expect after your baby's had injections

Mums from our Top Testers' Club who are also flying off to sunnier climes this month have sent us their top holiday worries and we've consulted our resident NHS GP Dr Philippa Kaye for her advice to help you have a relaxing and stress-free trip. Bon voyage!

Sun cream sensitivity

Q: "Sometimes my little girl reacts to her sun cream and other times not. I'm just wondering if you have any recommendations about what to use instead? She's 23 months for context and loves to be outside." Dawn Cunningham

A: "It can be difficult to know exactly what she is reacting to, for example, a rash that appears when it gets hot could be a reaction to a cream or it could be prickly heat! So the first thing I would recommend would be to see your doctor. Perhaps take photos of the rash if it appears to help them in case it has gone down by the time you get an appointment.  If you feel that it is related to a particular cream then stop using it.

"I would recommend using a high factor SPF with a high star rating, to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, but to avoid anything fragranced or with other irritants. Looking for something that says ‘hypoallergenic’ can be helpful. Keep trying as sun protection is vital for your daughter’s health." Dr Philippa Kaye

Is DEET dangerous?

Q: "Is it safe to use insect repellents with DEET in them on young children when you’re on holiday in a hot country?" Holly Whaley

A: "It depends on how old your child is, but in general insect repellents can be used. Insect repellents don’t just protect you against the irritation of an insect bite but depending on where you are can help protect against the diseases which can be transmitted by bites such as malaria.

"DEET is a common ingredient in insect repellent and repellents containing up to 50% DEET are safe for babies over 2 months old as well as for pregnant or breastfeeding people. Apply the insect repellent as per the instructions on the label and make sure that you are careful to cover all the skin – in the daytime apply after sunscreen. You will need to reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating. Don’t forget to also use simple barriers to protect against bites such as long sleeves, trousers, socks and bed nets if needed." Dr Philippa Kaye

Read more: 8 of the best insect repellents for kids recommended by parents

Please note: this advice is not personalised or meant to replace individual advice given to you about your child by your doctor or medical team. As always, if you are concerned about your child’s health then please seek medical advice.

Pics: Getty

Q: "I would love some help with creams and treatment suggestions for keratosis pilaris on my 4-year-old’s face please?" Sam Dhanilall

A: "Keratosis pilaris is a condition where there are small bumps on the skin, most often on the upper arms and legs.  This is due to a build up of keratin in the skin and tends not to be itchy.  Has a doctor seen your child’s skin and diagnosed them with this condition?  If not please do take them to the doctor as there are various other skin conditions which can cause bumps and rashes so do get them checked out.

"Keratosis pilaris is not infectious and you may notice that it is better at certain times and worse at others, for example often worse during the winter months. Avoiding washing with perfumed soaps and other products which dry out the skin and apply a simple emollient, which are available over the counter from your pharmacy or supermarket." Dr Philippa Kaye 

Checking a child's moles 

Q: "I have a question regarding moles on children. My son has a few and I was wondering what I should be looking out for. Is the location of the moles a concern or only if the shape, texture or colour were to change? Also as the child grows will the moles?" Celia Aldridge 

A: "Doctors tend to advise on the ABCDE rule when looking at moles:

A – asymmetry – moles that look asymmetrical, should be checked.  You should be able to imagine that you could fold a mole in half and the two halves look similar, if they don’t see your doctor. 

B – borders – if the border of a mole begins to look irregular, ragged, blurred, notched or as if one part of it is growing in a different direction, please get checked. 

C – colours – if the mole has two or more colours please see a doctor. 

D – diameter  - if a mole is over 6mm it should be assessed. 

E – evolving – if a mole is changing in any way, including if it becomes itchy, bleeds, is crusty or becomes numb see your doctor. 

Sometimes moles grow as the child grows, but sometimes not meaning that although they stay the same size they may look proportionally smaller as the child gets bigger.  If you have any concerns please get them checked and don’t forget the sun cream to protect your child’s skin." Dr Philippa Kaye

Breaking a hair pulling habit

Q: "I would love any advice you can give on how to stop my daughter from pulling her hair out on one side (she sucks her fingers with her other hand). She twirls the hair around her fingers then passes it to her other hand and sucks on it. Occasionally we find hairs in her poo. We know it’s a habit and she does it for comfort. Our health visitor and GP say the best way is to distract her. We are trying, but it only helps so much and she does it most at night for comfort if she wakes up when we aren’t there. She is now 2 1/2 and has been doing it since her hair started to grow. Any further advice would be great - thank you." Kate Elizabeth 

A: "Trichotillomania is a condition where there is an irressitable urge to pull out your own hair, which may be the hair on your head or your eyelashes or eyebrows.  Here the urge to pull out the hair cannot be ignored and pulling on the hair gives relief from the tension. It can be related to stress and anxiety and doesn’t tend to start in children until about 10 years old. You mention that your child is much younger, and that it started when her hair started to grow and that it is a habit perhaps for comfort.   

"Distraction can help as has been suggested, perhaps by encouraging her to play with a doll’s hair instead of her own, or have something else like a fidget of some kind that she can twirl in her fingers. If she likes the sensory stimulation then a variety of soft fabrics or ribbons may be helpful as an alternative. Putting her hair up at night so she can’t get to it easily, or even wearing a hat may be helpful as can wearing gloves or socks over their hands at night so they can’t pull.  If you notice there are particular times that it happens more than others, for example before bed, then it might be better to focus the distraction around that time.  Try not to tell her off or focus negative attention on the behaviour and if you continue to have concerns please go back to your doctor." Dr Philippa Kaye

Please note: this advice is not personalised or meant to replace individual advice given to you about your child by your doctor or medical team. As always, if you are concerned about your child’s health then please seek medical advice.

Read more:

Top Testers' Clinic with Dr Philippa Kaye: Poo anxiety and post-natal weight loss

Top testers' Clinic with Dr Philippa Kaye: Sleepless nights and postpartum depression

We’re here to help with brilliant advice and reassurance from our resident NHS GP Dr Philippa Kaye in our new Top Testers’ Clinic series, featuring burning medical questions from parents just like you in our MadeForMums community.

Sleepless nights

Q: "Is it worth pushing to see someone about my 8-month-old son's frequent night wake-ups? He wakes up around every 1.5 hours. My health visitor says it's because he's used to being breastfed back to sleep and she keeps suggesting sleep training, but I'm wondering if there could be medical reasons for it like low iron or sleep apnoea?" Emily Elliott

A: "If you are ever concerned about your child’s health then it is important that you see a healthcare professional. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there is something wrong, but even having the reassurance from your GP may be helpful. Some babies wake up more than others and there are various reasons for this, from how and what they are being fed to noise levels.

"It may be that if your baby is used to sucking to sleep, that when they wake and find there is nothing to suck on they can’t go back to sleep alone. Some parents find that it is helpful to use a dummy or soother in this situation.

"Others may advise not breastfeeding your child to sleep, but trying to put them down after a feed when they are awake but settled, meaning that they learn to go to sleep on their own.

"Some parents prefer to put their children down awake and then making ssh-ing noises, or pat their child back to sleep. There are many and various methods of sleep training, which don’t involve leaving a baby to cry. If you are concerned, please get your baby checked out by your doctor." Dr Philippa Kaye

Postpartum depression and anxiety  

Q: "I have a 3-year-old and a 21-month-old and I was diagnosed with PPD and PPA and given 50mg of sertraline about a year ago. It certainly helped, but I am feeling progressively sadder and unmotivated about life again. Does the medication stop working after time?" Bridget

A: "I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety.  You are not alone and in writing you will be helping many other mothers who will be going through the same thing. 

"It is only by us talking about these conditions that we can help end any stigma which is still present about mental health and help look after each other.   

"Sertraline is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication which is used to treat depression and anxiety. You mention that you are on a 50mg dose of sertraline and that although it helped initially you feel that your symptoms are worsening again. There are lots of reasons why you might have noticed that you feel worse and it is important that you go back and speak to your doctor.

"It may be that you would benefit from some talking therapy or that you need to increase the dose of your medication, or if this does not work possibly change to another medication. Please see your doctor to get the help that you need."

Please note: this advice is not personalised or meant to replace individual advice given to you about your child by your doctor or medical team. As always, if you are concerned about your child’s health then please seek medical advice.

Read more: Top Testers' Clinic with Dr Philippa Kaye: Poo anxiety and post-natal weight loss

Poo anxiety

Q: "I'd love some advice to help a toddler with poo anxiety please. Following a bad bout of constipation, my little boy now stiffens his entire body when he needs to go. He’s currently prescribed lactulose, which softens his stools, but this doesn’t help his ability to relax his body to be able to go. He’s 20 months old and not quite ready for potty training as he doesn’t recognise at all when he needs to go." Jodie Leigh

A: "Constipation is unfortunately extremely common in both young children and adults.  It can be uncomfortable and painful when you do go and, just like you describe, some children then hold onto their poo and find it difficult to relax and go to the toilet. At just over one and a half he is likely too young for potty training, but if he were older, often one sign of holding onto stool is that they don’t do it in the day on the toilet and wait for the night-time nappy to be put on.   

"Try to ensure that he is getting enough fluids and fibre in his diet and keep up with the laxatives that he is given. If lactulose isn’t sufficient or working then there are alternatives that your doctor can prescribe. The aim is for the stool to be soft and easy to pass, and you may be advised to use the laxatives for a longer period of time to get things moving.

"We don’t want him to be sitting and straining to do a poo, but for it to be easy to pass. It can take time and support until he learns that it is ok for him to go. If you see him, for example, toddling off to a corner to go in his nappy, perhaps some distraction with a book might help him relax. A nice warm bath or even some gentle tummy rubs can also be helpful. If he is still struggling please see your GP." Dr Philippa Kaye

Post-natal weight loss

Q: "I’d love any tips to help ditch the mum weight please. I'm also experiencing numbness along my C-section scar and would like help to reduce the apron overhang if possible?" Katie Winfield 

A: "Pregnancy involves a huge amount of change to your body, changes that took nine months to occur and somehow, society expects that you to ‘bounce back’ to exactly how you were before, within days of giving birth.  This is not realistic and adds to the huge amount of stress and pressure that women are put under. You and your body have done an absolutely amazing thing – you grew an entire mini-human and are now looking after your baby. Be kind and look after yourself as well.  

"There are two separate parts to your question. The first is around weight loss and the second is around the management of the C-section scar. Weight loss is actually often far more difficult than social media would have you believe, and if you are breastfeeding you actually need to increase your calorie intake in order to make milk.  Weight loss takes time and while a healthy diet and exercise are vital, if you have obesity there are other treatments also available. 

"With regards to your Caesarean section scar, numbness is often temporary and is related to the nerves in the skin being cut during the operation. Scars can remodel over a period of many months and the ‘apron’ or ‘overhang’ related to a C-section scar is often due to tethering of the scar itself, where the scar becomes stuck down to the tissues underneath.

"Mobilising the scar with massage is helpful to both prevent and treat this. Once you have healed from the surgery you can start to gently massage above and below the scar, moving the skin up and down around the area.  Please ask your post-natal team when you can start to do this. In time you will be able to massage directly on the scar and more deeply in order to keep the scar mobile and hopefully prevent complications. A women’s health physiotherapist may be able to give you further advice." Dr Philippa Kaye

Please note: this advice is not personalised or meant to replace individual advice given to you about your child by your doctor or medical team. As always, if you are concerned about your child’s health then please seek medical advice.