HOW TO PROTECT BABIES IN THE SUN

Summer is all about making memories, especially when it’s your baby’s first summer adventure! And as a parent, ensuring your baby is protected is probably at the forefront of your mind. We’re here to help make sure you and your children can enjoy the summer sun safely & without worrying. Read on to learn how to care for your baby and what sunscreen to use when in the sun.

WHY BABIES NEED SPECIAL SUN PROTECTION

Babies are more vulnerable to sun damage for many reasons, including the following:

Babies’ skin is thinner and more delicate
Babies have less melanin, a natural pigmentation for the purpose of sun protection
Young children don’t sweat as much as adults (leading to a higher risk of heatstroke).

Because of these factors, it doesn’t take much exposure to burn or damage a baby’s skin, nor much heat to cause dehydration or heatstroke and It only takes one bad sunburn during childhood to double the chances of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

With all of this in mind – and because the skin’s regeneration process doesn’t function properly during the first few years of life – it’s clear that babies need an extra level of sun protection. When your baby is ready for the sun, this should include sunscreen. But first, it helps to understand why UV light is so damaging to the skin.

THE TYPES AND EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION

The sun produces two types of UV light: UVA and UVB. UV light (also called radiation) is always around us. As long as the sun is shining (even behind the clouds), it’s producing these types of light. Both UVA and UVB rays are harmful but impact the skin differently.

UVA rays aren’t the culprits of sunburn, as these rays don’t actually cause any symptoms on the surface of your skin. Rather, they penetrate deep into your dermis, creating free radicals and damaging cells, which can lead to premature signs of ageing and skin cancer.
UVB rays don’t penetrate as deep as UVA, only affecting the epidermis on the top of your skin. These rays are responsible for sunburn and tanning, as well as skin cancer.

Of course, the UV intensity changes throughout the day and seasons, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the risk of sun damage changes, too.

UVB rays are stronger during the summer, and, therefore, your risk of sunburn is lower in the winter. Likewise, that risk changes throughout the day. UVB rays can be up to 150 times stronger in the middle of the day than early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
UVA rays don’t follow the same fluctuation as UVB, so their intensity is consistent throughout the day and year. Therefore, the best sun protection for babies always protects against both rays, even in winter or on cloudy days.

SUN PROTECTION: HOW TO PROTECT BABIES' SKIN FROM THE SUN

There are a few important steps to protecting babies’ delicate skin from harmful UV rays. Shade, protective clothing and baby sunscreen help to keep your loved ones safe from the sun.

SEEK SHADE

Dermatologists recommend keeping young children out of direct sunlight, as they lack melanin in their skin. Therefore, sun protection for babies under six months includes staying out of direct sunlight completely.

Children 6 months and younger should not be directly exposed to sunlight.
Children 6 months to 1 year have slightly more melanin, so direct sunlight is OK in small amounts, although it should be generally limited and completely avoided when the sun is strongest (between 11am and 3pm in the UK).
Children 6 months to 3 years can use baby sunscreen in addition to staying in the shade to further protect their skin. Baby sunscreen is formulated specifically for your little one’s sensitive and delicate skin.

In the summer, the UK sun is strongest between 11 am and 3 pm. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to take a break from sun exposure during this time range, especially in the summer months. Avoiding direct sunlight doesn’t have to mean changing your plans! When out and about, you can use a pushchair cover or a shaded cover for the car seat, pram, or carrier. If you’re at the beach, additional sun protection for your baby can be as simple as a UV-resistant sunshade or parasol.

Wear Protective Clothing

Remember that UVA rays can cause damage at any time of the day and year, so clothing is a great tool for baby sun protection. When outside (especially when not shaded), you can keep your baby covered with long-sleeved clothing that’s woven tightly without any transparency.

Don’t forget sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim or flaps help protect your baby’s eyes and scalp. In the summer, when it’s hot, opt for lightweight clothing in light colours or UV protective swimwear when at the beach. For kids above 6 months, add sunscreen underneath any clothing that’s see-through and under straps and hems.

Some brands provide clothing specific to sun protection, even for babies. You can get shirts, shorts, trousers, T-shirts, and swimsuits that all contain UV-resistant materials or coatings. Even when playing in or near shade, this type of clothing can add that layer of sun protection your baby needs.

Apply Baby Sunscreen

Although sun protection for babies under 6 months includes shade and clothing, children over 6 months can start wearing sunscreen as well. Here are a few key tips to help you choose the right product for your child:

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays
Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50
Select a sunscreen that’s made specifically for babies, such as NIVEA SUN Kids & Babies Sensitive Protect Sun Spray SPF 50+, as it’s less likely to irritate the skin
Apply sunscreen at least ever two hours (more often if swimming or after towelling)
Use sunscreen on both your baby’s face and body.

SUN PROTECTION: AVOIDING DEHYDRATION

It’s also important to avoid dehydration when out in the sunshine. Adding hydration to your baby’s sun protection regime is as simple as ensuring your little one has plenty of fluids throughout the day. But staying properly hydrated looks different for babies of certain ages:

From 0 to 6 Months. If you’re breastfeeding, your baby will most likely be well-hydrated. In hotter weather, though, breastfeeding more should do the trick, as breastfed babies of this age shouldn’t drink water. If you’re formula-feeding, your baby can have a little bit of water if it’s boiled and cooled. You can always consult your doctor with any questions.
From About 6 Months. At about 6 months, babies are typically ready to try solid foods. Once that transition occurs, they can start drinking a little bit of water during mealtimes. Of course, breast milk or formula will still be their main source of food and hydration.
From 12 Months. At 1 year old, your baby is probably consuming a mixture of water; breast milk, formula, or cow’s milk; and solid foods. Although this abundance of fluids will most likely keep them hydrated, you can always offer your little one a frozen lolly made with water on hotter days!

Older children can use solid foods to stay hydrated, too. Hot summer days are perfect for a delicious and hydrating fruit salad

SUN PROTECTION: KEEPING BABIES COOL ON WARM DAYS

Many parents wonder what other products or tactics to add to their baby’s sun protection regime, and, more specifically, how to prevent heatstroke and other risks associated with sun exposure. Staying cool will help reduce the risks of heat-related ailments, like heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration.

Luckily, kids tend to love staying cool during the summer, since it often involves playing in a paddling pool! Some other helpful methods for staying cool include:

Playing in the shade during hot weather
Wearing baby sunscreen to keep skin protected and hydrated
Enjoying a cool bath before bedtime
Sleeping in light clothing and lightweight bed linen or sleeping bags
Keeping rooms cool by closing blinds or using a fan.

CAN BABIES GET HEATSTROKE AND HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Does my baby have heatstroke? You’re not the only parent wondering this on extra hot days, so it’s important to understand how children develop heatstroke, how to prevent it, and how to treat heatstroke in babies.

Although you may hear the term heatstroke more often than heat exhaustion, the two relate with an essential difference: heat exhaustion happens before heatstroke.

When babies become too hot and don’t consume enough fluids, their body temperature rises. If you can cool their body down within 30 minutes, your baby just had a quick bout of heat exhaustion.
If your baby’s body can’t cool down within 30 minutes, there’s a risk of heat exhaustion developing into heatstroke, which is when their body needs medical intervention to cool down.

Other signs of heat exhaustion can include intense thirst, feeling ill, weakness, pale or clammy skin, and cramping or loss of appetite. But more importantly, a temperature between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius is your biggest indication. To avoid heat exhaustion turning into heatstroke, take these three steps as quickly as possible:

1. Bring your baby to a cool, shaded place to rest.
2. Give your baby plenty of fluids.
3. Cool your baby’s skin with a cold compress or cloth.

If your little one isn’t responding to the tactics above and/or their temperature has increased to 40 degrees Celsius or more, they likely have heatstroke. As heatstroke is an emergency in babies, it’s important to call an ambulance. But keeping your baby cool and hydrated with fluids and sunscreen in hot weather will go a long way in preventing heatstroke!

TREATING SUNBURN IN BABIES

Even if you take all the precautions above and pay extra attention to sun protection, you may find a situation where sunburn still occurs. Since baby skin is thin and delicate, it burns easily, and accidents can happen. If they do, it helps to know why sunburn happens, what to look out for, how to soothe this, and what to put on your baby’s face and body for treatment.

WHAT CAUSES SUNBURN?

When your little one spends too much time in the sun – and is exposed to UV rays (UVB rays in particular) – the outer layer of the skin can react with an inflammatory response, much like any other type of burn. Luckily, sunburn is usually a first-degree burn, and rarely does it produce second-degree burns. Sunscreen helps protect against sunburn by creating a protective layer on the skin with UV filters.

SIGNS OF SUNBURN

One of the dangers of sunburn is that the skin doesn’t typically show signs of redness and inflammation until about four to six hours after UV exposure. For up to 12 hours after, the sunburn could deepen and become more painful.

WHY AND WHEN IS SUNBURN AN EMERGENCY?

Sunburn doesn’t usually require any emergency treatments. Even when a burn is visibly red, warm, and causing pain, you can treat it at home. However, there are a few other symptoms that indicate a more serious sunburn.

Contact your child’s doctor or take your baby to A&E if you notice any of the following symptoms along with redness, inflammation, and pain:

Blistering
Fever or chills
Confusion or lethargy
Vomiting
General malaise, irritability, or acting or feeling unwell (fussy).

Why are these symptoms of sunburn in babies an emergency? These symptoms could indicate that your child is dehydrated or has heatstroke, heat exhaustion, or sun poisoning. In any of these cases, it’s important that your baby receives emergency medical care.

TREATING SUNBURN

So, how do you treat sunburn in babies? There are a few things that you can do to help soothe your little one’s skin after a sunburn.

Hydrate to cool down. Sunbathing causes your baby to lose fluids, so it’s important to hydrate ASAP to cool down the body and skin.
Stay in the shade. Move to the shade as soon as possible and stay out of the sun while the sunburn is healing, which can take several days.
Use a cold compress. Many parents wonder how to treat sunburn on their baby’s face in particular. Using a damp cloth or cold compress soothes the skin all over the body and is gentle enough to help with any burns on the face. Use linen or cotton, repeat every few hours, and avoid using anything frozen – damaged skin is too sensitive for ice.
Be gentle. Be careful not to irritate your baby’s skin further, so use gentle soap during bath time and dress your little one in soft, lightweight clothing.

A few things to avoid include using after-sun products, as they utilise irritants like cooling agents and fragrances that aren’t suitable for sensitive baby skin. It’s also important to let any blisters heal on their own, so be mindful not to pop any intentionally. Will baby lotion help sunburn? Lotion won’t help treat sunburn, but if the burn is mild, a little baby-safe lotion can help soothe dryness and add moisture.

FAQS ABOUT SUNSCREEN AND SUN PROTECTION FOR BABIES

CAN BABIES GET HEATSTROKE?

Yes, babies are at risk of heatstroke because they are more sensitive to the sun and hot weather, as they do not sweat like adults. If your baby shows signs of heatstroke, call an ambulance.

HOW TO PROTECT BABIES' EYES FROM THE SUN?

Protect your baby’s eyes from the sun with baby sunglasses or a hat with a wide brim or flaps.

HOW TO PROTECT BABIES FROM THE SUN IN A CAR SEAT?

When your baby is riding in the car, use a sunshade on the window next to their car seat.

HOW TO PROTECT BABIES FROM THE SUN IN A CARRIER OR PRAM?

Use a sunshade or parasol to protect your baby from the sun when in a carrier or pram.

AT WHAT AGE CAN BABIES GO OUT IN THE SUN?

Babies younger than 6 months shouldn’t be exposed to any direct sunlight, as their skin hasn’t developed enough melanin, a slight natural sun protection. From 6 months to 1 year, limit direct sunlight as much as possible and use baby sunscreen after 6 months.

CAN BABIES UNDER 6 MONTHS WEAR SUNSCREEN?

No, babies under 6 months shouldn’t wear sunscreen because their skin is too delicate for direct sunlight. Instead, keep babies under 6 months out of the sun completely by keeping them shaded and dressing them in trousers, long-sleeved shirts, hats, sunglasses, etc.

CAN YOU APPLY AFTER-SUN ON A BABY?

It’s not advised to apply after-sun on a baby, as it contains irritants. Instead, use a cold compress or cloth to cool down your baby’s skin, make sure they’re well-hydrated, and avoid any sun exposure while a sunburn is healing.

CONCLUSION: BABY SUN PROTECTION

With such delicate skin and a lack of melanin (which offers a slight layer of natural sun protection), babies shouldn’t have any direct sun exposure or wear sunscreen until they’re 6 months. After that, limit their sun exposure and use baby-specific sunscreen, like NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect Sun Spray SPF 50+.

Other ways to prevent sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke include keeping your baby shaded, clothed, hydrated, and cool. If sunburn does occur, you can treat it at home by using cold compresses and giving your baby extra fluids. Same for heat exhaustion – treat it at home by bringing your baby’s temperature down with cool cloths, baths, and fluids (nothing but formula or breast milk until 6 months).

Call your child’s doctor if you notice signs of a more severe sunburn, such as blistering, fever, chills, vomiting, lethargy, or fussiness. Likewise, call an ambulance if you can’t bring your baby’s temperature down after 30 minutes or they show signs such as confusion, irritability, rapid breathing, or loss of consciousness.

When your baby is 6 months+, have some fun in the (limited) sun safely and use baby sunscreen to keep your little one happy, healthy, and fully protected.