It’s summer once again and the sun is shining! Of course, you want to be outside enjoying this weather while you can, soaking up that Vitamin D and enjoying your time with your family and baby. But it’s important to know how to properly protect your baby from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. It can be dangerous to expose your baby to too much sun, with the threats of sunburn and overheating. Below we will give you some great tips and advice to help you enjoy a safe and happy summer.
Sun protection for babies under 6 months old is very simple. They should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible, taking particular care between 11 am – 3 pm during the sun’s highest point in the day. This is because their skin has not had the chance to develop enough melanin which provides some protection from UV rays.
Once your baby is 6 months or older and starts to crawl and play outside you can follow these easy tips to protect them.
Keep your baby in the shade
If your baby isn’t mobile yet they’ll be more than happy to lie in the shade. This can be under a tree, an umbrella, a canopy or a sun tent. Keep an eye on the sun as you might need to reposition as the shade moves throughout the day.
However, if they are crawling or walking, encourage them to stay in the shade as much as possible. If you don’t have a shade sail in your garden you should be investing in one right now so your child has a safe place to play outside. Some companies will also install these for you, so it is hassle-free. Not only do these offer a safe place for children to play, but also a safe place to work out for you! Outdoor physical activity has been proven to lower your heart rate and blood pressure making it feel less strenuous than indoor exercise. You can work out using your outdoor gym equipment, stay fit and healthy and keep your baby cool and safe all at the same time!
If you journey out while it’s hot you can also attach a parasol or sunshade to your baby’s pushchair to keep them cool in the pram. Make sure you remember to check up on them regularly to make sure that they’re not overheating and adjust the shade to cover them best when needed.
Sun safe clothes
Depending on the fabric, colour and weave, clothes can range in their ultraviolet protection factor (UVP). Some clothes will give you a UVP rating, but a basic test of the safety of the garment is to hold it up to the light and see how much light gets through. The more light which shines through, generally the more UV will get through to your baby’s skin. But bear in mind that thicker material can also cause your baby to overheat in hot conditions, so carefully choose something which can be protective but also comfortable. Cotton is a great medium as it is lightweight but still closely woven.
Hats are a must and can shade your baby’s face, head and their neck if you choose wide brim styles or even designs with ear and neck flaps. You can also choose a hat with a chin strap to stop it falling or being taken off!
Something people often don’t think about for their baby is sunglasses. They don’t need to be expensive, but they do need to be safe. When you’re buying them, look out for the CE mark and a UV 400 label. This tells you that the sunglasses offer 100% UV protection for your baby. You can find wrap-around sunglasses for younger babies which come with an adjustable strap to help keep them on at all times.
Use sun cream
Once your baby is 6 months old you can use lotion or spray sun creams on them. Use a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and make sure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Many brands offer creams specially formulated for babies and children, which are less likely to contain ingredients that might irritate the skin.
You should apply sun cream 15 minutes before leaving the house, cover every part of your baby’s skin that is not covered by clothes and make sure it is fully absorbed when applied. If playing in or around water, you can use waterproof sun cream and reapply every time they dry off.
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Clare
Hi, I'm Clare (Emmy's Mummy). A former Nanny and Mother of 2 - Emmy (born February 2010) and Harry (born October 2012). We are Essex based and share our adventures and misadventures of a busy crazy life.
