Keeping your baby safe in the sun
Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
With growing awareness about skin damage from sunlight, and the effects of ozone holes, you may worry about protecting your baby from the sun. Read on to find out how to make sure your baby enjoys the sunshine safely.
Is it safe to take my baby out into the sun?
As long as your baby is younger than six months, it's best to keep her out of direct sunlight completely. However, if your newborn is born with jaundice, your doctor might ask you to expose her to sunlight for 15 minutes each day. This is because sunlight helps to break down the bilirubin in the blood that causes the jaundice.
For the sunlight to treat the jaundice, your doctor might ask you to expose as much of her body to sunlight as possible. But most experts recommend doing this early in the morning or in the evening when the sun rays are less harsh and so less likely to cause a sunburn. It's important not to leave your baby in the sun for longer than your doctor prescribes because babies are more prone to getting a sunburn than adults. Once the jaundice is cured, your doctor may advise you to continue exposing your baby to sunlight for just a few minutes each day to avoid vitamin D deficiency. Direct sunlight helps the body to produce vitamin D, which the body needs to absorb calcium. Calcium is vital for your baby's growing bones.
It's important not to expose your baby to the sun for more than just a few minutes to avoid a sunburn. Some doctors recommend giving a vitamin D supplement instead of exposing your baby to the sun. You can discuss with your doctor what suits your baby's needs best. Once your baby is six months or older, and wants to crawl and play outside, try to keep her in the shade as much as possible. And protect her well from the sun when you know she will be exposed to it. It’s particularly important to stay out of the sun during the hottest time of the day when the sun is at its strongest. Different parts of {the country} have varying sun intensities and climates so you'll need to judge when the sun starts to get too strong for your baby in your area. You can also speak to your doctor about what times are best to take your baby out. Generally speaking however, the sun is less intense in the mornings and evenings.
How can I protect my baby's skin from the sun? The best way to protect your baby is to keep her out of the sun as much as possible by keeping her in the shade, under trees or using an umbrella, a canopy, or a parasol. If you are travelling by car, you could use sun shades on the windows and when out and about, use a sun canopy, sun hood, or umbrella on her pram or pushchair. However, bear in mind that these only offer partial protection from the sun’s rays.
Keep your baby's skin covered with clothes made from lightweight, closely woven fabric, such as cotton. A wide-brimmed hat will shade your baby’s face, ears and neck. Choose a hat with an elasticated or Velcro strap that tucks under her chin, which will stop it coming off. Sunglasses for your baby will protect her sensitive eyes. They don't need to be expensive, but they do need to be good-quality, close fitting wraparound glasses. When you’re buying sunglasses for your baby, look out for: An adjustable rubber or neoprene strap to help keep them on. A UV 400 label, which tells you that the sunglasses offer 100 per cent UV protection. If the sunglasses do not have this label, they won't protect your baby's eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
Besides protective clothing and accessories, you'll need to protect all exposed skin from the sun using baby sunscreen. What sort of sunscreen should I use on my baby? Once your baby is six months old, you can use lotions or sprays that are specially formulated for babies and children. We can’t be completely sure of the safety or effectiveness of using sunscreens on younger babies. That's why it’s recommended that you keep your baby out of the sun as much as possible. However, if you need to, and your doctor agrees it's OK, you can apply a small amount of baby sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to exposed areas, such as your baby’s face and the backs of her hands and feet. The SPF indicates the amount of protection against sunburn from UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen suitable for babies and young children. Also, check to see if the label says the sunscreen is broad-spectrum. This means it offers good UVA and UVB protection.
You'll need a plum-sized dollop of sunscreen, probably far more than you'd expect. It's best to pat it on rather than rub it in. If you can, put the sunscreen on your baby about 15 minutes before she goes outdoors. You’ll need to reapply it at least every couple of hours and after she has played in water, even if the sunscreen is waterproof. If your baby has eczema or sensitive skin, check the ingredients list for anything you know is likely to irritate her skin or trigger an allergic reaction. Test any new sunscreen product on a small area of her skin first before you apply it to any exposed areas. If your baby develops a rash or redness where you’ve tested it, choose a hypoallergenic sunscreen instead. Apply eczema emollients or treatments first, and then put the sun cream on half an hour later.
What should I do if my baby gets a sunburn?
Your baby's skin is very delicate. Despite your best efforts to protect her, unfortunately sunburn can occasionally happen. You may not realise your baby has sunburn straight away. It could take several hours or longer before the redness and pain of the burn appears. If your baby’s sunburn looks red and sore: Soak a cloth in cool water, wring it out, and then gently place it on the sunburnt area for 10 minutes to 15 minutes. Do this several times a day. This will help to take the heat out of your baby’s skin.
Bath your baby in lukewarm water to help cool her skin and reduce the redness. Gently pat her skin dry and apply a water-based moisturiser, aloe vera gel or calamine lotion to soothe her skin and ease the dryness. Don’t put oil, ghee or petroleum jelly on your baby’s sunburn, as these can trap heat in the skin, worsening the burn. So avoid using oil for your baby's massage on the burnt area as long as the sunburn is red and sore.
Keep your baby well hydrated with plenty of breastfeeds or other drinks if she’s older. This will help cool her down and replace any fluids that she has lost through sweating. She'll probably be OK even if she gets a mild case of sunburn. But do your best to avoid future sunburns, as these can cause long-lasting damage to the skin. If your baby's sunburn is severe, and her skin is tender, swollen and blistering, call your doctor. Do not pop any blisters, but leave them well alone, as they help to heal the skin. Your doctor may prescribe a soothing cream and a dressing for the blisters, and suggest you give your baby infant paracetamol to ease her discomfort.
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