Sun protection in the summer for babies

Summertime is one of those times when kids are out of school and spending lots of time outside playing sports, riding bikes, swimming, surfing, and enjoying the great outdoors. While it might seem like summer vacation is a fun-filled time filled with sunshine and relaxation, there are some things parents need to know about protecting kids from harmful UV rays during outdoor activities.

In addition to sunscreen, hats and clothes are important tools for keeping children safe. Little Roots Pediatrics recommends using broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every day, including on cloudy days, and covering exposed skin with clothing and a hat. Parents should make sure their kids wear protective gear such as goggles, sunglasses, long sleeves and pants, and water shoes.

Parents should also keep track of how much time their children spend outdoors each day and limit exposure whenever possible. For example, if kids go to the park or playground for lunch, they shouldn’t return until dinnertime. If kids are headed to the beach, it’s best to take breaks while the sun is low in the sky. And if kids are heading to the pool, they should avoid tanning beds.

Clothing

Sunscreen is often recommended for people spending time outdoors. But you don’t always want to apply sunscreen directly to your skin. Instead, choose clothes that are designed to protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation. These include tight-fitting cotton shirts and pants, long sleeves, and dark-colored clothing.

The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines:

• Wear a shirt that covers most of your upper body, including shoulders and arms.

• Choose loose fitting pants, shorts, and skirts.

• Cover up with a hat or cap.

• Avoid light colored clothing, since it reflects sunlight.

• Don’t use sunscreens that contain chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. They block out ultraviolet B rays, which cause sunburn, but do nothing to prevent damage caused by ultraviolet A rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin.

Sunscreen

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration says it does not recommend putting baby under six months old in the sun. They say that while some people think they’re safe, “sunscreens do not provide complete protection.” In fact, they say that even though most sunscreens claim to protect against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), “they don’t work well enough to prevent damage from either type.” They add that kids’ bodies are still growing and developing, meaning that they absorb more of the harmful radiation.

They recommend that parents use broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB, and wear clothes that cover up the body. For adults, they suggest wearing long sleeves and pants, hats and sunglasses, and staying indoors whenever possible. If you must go outdoors, they say to apply sunscreen every two hours and reapply every few hours.

Sun Safety for children

Infants

Sunscreen products are designed to block UV rays from damaging the skin, but they don’t always do it well enough. Babies’ developing skin isn’t able to process many ingredients found in common sunscreens, including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. And even though babies aren’t supposed to use sunscreens, parents sometimes forget about protecting their little ones while they’re outside playing.

To make sure you’re doing what you can to keep your child safe from harmful exposure to the sun, check out our guide to keeping your infant protected.

Babies

A recent study published in Pediatrics found that infants under age 2 are most susceptible to sun damage due to their immature immune systems and thinner skin. Sunscreen is essential for protecting against UV rays, and it’s important to choose a product specifically designed for infants. A dermatologist explains how to select the best products for babies.

Toddlers/Pre-School Age

Protecting toddlers from harmful UV rays is one of the most important things you can do to keep your children healthy. Sunscreen is crucial, and it needs to be applied correctly. Here are some tips to help protect your toddler from the sun.

• Educate yourself about how much sunlight your child receives each day. This includes knowing what hours of the day he spends outside.

• Encourage your child to seek out the shade whenever possible.

• Consider purchasing a portable umbrella stroller. These strollers provide shade for your child while allowing him to see the world around him.

• Use sunscreen every day. Apply it liberally, especially on areas like the face, ears, nose, lips, hands and feet.

• Avoid applying sunscreen to babies under six months old. Babies younger than six months have thinner skin and don’t need as much protection.

• Don’t forget about the rest of your body. Be sure to put sunscreen on your arms, legs, shoulders and chest.