Baby & Toddler Sunscreen & Sun Care Tips

This is that time of year when you find yourself going outside more and more! These are the best baby sunscreen tips to avoid the dangerous effects of the sun. Fresh air and sun sound great for everyone’s health. When the sun touches your skin, your body creates vitamin D. This is for only a short period…5 to 30 minutes twice a week is more than enough! Too much exposure to the sun can be harmful. Ultraviolet rays and type B ultraviolet rays can cause long-term effects. This is more true for babies and toddlers. Your little one has sensitive skin that could easily be damaged by the sun. Avoid that with these baby and toddler sunscreen and sun care tips to keep them safe all summer long!

Why is the Sun Dangerous?

UVA rays make up most of our sun exposure. UVA can cause skin cancer, wrinkling, and faster aging of the skin. UVB makes up much less of our sun exposure, but it’s still very dangerous. It can cause cataracts, and immune system suppression and increase your risk of skin cancer. We don’t want this for our children! 

Sun Exposure Under 6 Months

Babies 6 months old and younger should not be in direct sunlight. The worst times of the day are from 10 am to 4 pm. Babies don’t get the benefits of vitamin D from the sun and can easily get burned in direct sunlight. At just a few months old, your baby’s skin and eyes are very sensitive. This young, babies melanin hasn’t fully developed. Melanin provides some protection from the sun.  Sun exposure at this age can significantly increase the risk for skin cancer later in life. For sun protection, try to keep your baby in the shade as much as possible! 

Tips For Shade:

1. Dress your baby in lightweight clothing that covers as much skin as possible! This will keep your baby cool but also help protect delicate skin. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you may want to try a rash guard.
   
2. Use your Stroller’s Canopy to cover your baby on walks and while relaxing outside. 
3. Buy a universal Stroller Cover that can provide additional shade from all angles. 
4. Use baby sunglasses with a strap to protect your little one’s eyes. 
5. Car Window Shade can help avoid sunburns and eye damage while on long rides. This is an inexpensive way to keep your baby safe.

Sun Exposure: Babies 6 Months to 12 Months

At six months, it’s perfectly fine to use sunscreen on your baby. However, this should be in addition to the above shade tips. Sunscreen is just another layer of protection that is now safe for your little one. Be sure to add sunscreen to your diaper bag essentials. 

Choosing the Best Baby Sunscreen…

Choose a baby-safe sunscreen that is water-resistant. Reapply sunscreen every few hours to keep your baby protected. Use at least an SPF of 30 and apply 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen ingredients should be titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These are hypoallergenic ingredients that don’t get absorbed into the skin.

You may want to test a small amount of sunscreen on your baby to make sure there is no allergic reaction. Using a baby-safe, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free sunscreen will reduce the chance of irritation.

Baby & Toddler Sunscreen

• Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen Spray is 50 SPF that protects against UVA and UVB. Nourish your baby’s skin with a unique blend of tomato, sunflower, black cumin, raspberry seed, and cranberry oils. Active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The great thing about this spray comes with so many options. They offer sunscreen sticks, spray, continuous spray, and rollerballs.
• Thinkbaby uses zinc oxide and has 50 SPF broad-spectrum sun protection. Think baby is safe for babies and safe for coral reefs.
• Other brands include Baby Bum and Banana Boat Baby.

Tips for Alternative Shade:

This is the best baby sunscreen is staying out of the sun. You can provide cover for your little one, with these canopies.

1. For babies who can sit up, a splash mat with a canopy is a perfect choice for your beach days or BBQs. This splash mat is recommended for ages 6 months to 24 months. 
2. For swim time, try a no-flip-over baby float. This float includes a canopy of 50 UPF. Recommended for ages 3-36 months.
3. Try the Gonex Pop-Up tent to protect your whole family from the sun!

Sun Exposure: Toddlers

Protecting your toddler from the sun can be a little more difficult. They can’t seem to stay still most of the time, so keeping your toddler in the shade all day is not very likely. If possible, allow your toddler to play outdoors before 10 am and after 4 pm. This is when the sun is most powerful. Try to pick shady areas whenever possible.

Tips for Toddler Sun Care

1. Make sure your toddler wears a wide-brim sunhat to block their face and eyes from direct sunlight.  Baby Lab offers a breathable bucket hat with UPF 50.
2. If your toddler won’t keep the hat on, make sure to go for a pair of sunglasses. HXS Store offers toddler sun protection at 100% which is flexible and includes a strap.
3. Apply baby-safe sunscreen every 2 hours.
4. Don’t forget the lips! Your little one can just as easily get sun damage on their lips. Make sure to use lip balm with SPF, like this one from Sun Bum.

Using Toddler Sunscreen

Keep in mind the tips above and choose a gentle sunscreen that is water-resistant with at least an SPF of 30. It’s very important to apply sunscreen for 30 minutes before venturing outside. It’s safe to use a generous amount of sunscreen on your toddler. Apply it to any exposed skin, including the face, neck, arms, legs, and feet. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours to keep your toddler protected.

Summer is full of fun outdoor activities! Keep your little’s safe with these baby & toddler sunscreen tips.

Remember that sunscreen is important for all children no matter their skin pigment or hair color. Brown skin can also be damaged by the sun and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Sources:

• Skin Cancer Foundation
• UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals