The sun is powerful, not only from it’s harmful rays but also the lovely vitamin D it provides us! Having fun and babies in the sun is a delicate balance. Let’s dive into the safety precautions you should take to keep your infant and whole family safe in the Summer sun!
Babies in the Sun Do’s & Don’ts
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside so it has time to set in.
- Apply sunscreen with at least 15 SPF on children over 6 months.
- DO NOT put sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age.
- Light colored clothing often lets UV rays through. If you can see light through the fabric, UV rays can get through too. Dress in tightly woven fabric of darker colors that cover arms and legs if you cannot put sunscreen on.
- Do take breaks from the sun. Sunscreen doesn’t allow you to stay outside all day.
- Stay hydrated!
- Do use sun protection even on overcast, cloudy days.
Best Time of Day to Get Outside
Try to get outside in the morning and late afternoon when the sun is not as strong. Going outside and having babies in the sun between the hours of 10 and 4, when the sun rays are the strongest ,requires extra protection.
- Play in shady areas when the sun is high and strong. You can put an umbrella up over a sandbox or favorite play area. Check out Fisher Price’s baby dome to block the sun for infants, with a UPF of 20.
- Apply sunscreen before going outside!
- Re-apply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming.
- Dress children under 6 months in light weight clothes that cover their arms and legs.
- Provide a wide brimmed sun hat and sunglasses with UV protection, in addition to sunscreen.
Carole Kramer-Arsenault, a registered nurse, offers tips on babies in the sun and how much sunscreen to use.
For more baby care, instructional videos checkout our parent resources! You can also purchase the award winning parenting book, Newborn 101, written by our founder Carole Kramer-Arsenault.
