How to protect your baby from the sun?
Are babies more sensitive to the sun?
Babies and young children can suffer short- and long-term damage from the sun: sunburn, heatstroke, allergies... It is therefore crucial to protect them from the sun in all circumstances. In this very fragile group of children , sunburn can cause pain, fever and dehydration.
Dermatologists are unanimous: a single sunburn during childhood increases the risk of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, in adulthood. So, as much as possible, keep your children (or grandchildren) completely out of the sun. You should also avoid using sun cream on toddlers, as their skin is particularly sensitive and fragile.
In any case, be extremely vigilant about UV rays whenever you're out and about with a baby or young child.
When and how do you get a sunburn?
The sun is at its strongest between 10am and 4pm. So make sure you take your baby out of the sun during this time. If this isn't possible, bear in mind that surfaces such as water, cement, sand or snow reflect the sun's rays quite intensely. Therefore it's important to protect your baby accordingly, by keeping him as far away from reflections as possible, dressing the baby in covering anti-UV clothing and having the baby wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Your baby's skin can also burn at other times of the day, even on cloudy or cool days. Why does this happen? Quite simply because it's not the heat of the sun ☀️ that burns the skin, but the ultraviolet (UV) rays it emits. These can damage the skin at any time of day, all year round, even in the depths of winter. A baby's thinner, more delicate skin is particularly vulnerable.
You can't feel the sunburn when it hits your skin, but you'll see the effects later. It can take several hours for the redness and pain of a mild first-degree burn to appear.
How can babies be protected from the sun?
Keep your baby in covered areas
Use the sunshade on your baby's stroller when you're outside. If you want to protect your baby's whole body, buy a stroller sunshade with built-in UV protection that fits over the top of the stroller.
Keep your baby in the shade, under a tree or parasol, for example. You may be surprised to learn that shade offers only partial protection against UV rays. Without sun protection, a baby can get sunburnt, even in the shade.
If you fancy spending the day at the beach or in the park, an outdoor sun tent with built-in UV protection can keep your baby cool and protected.
Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing
Cover your baby's arms and legs with anti-UV clothing, preferably UPF 50+ certified. There is a wide range of anti-UV clothing available for babies and young children: anti-UV overalls and t-shirts, swimwear or even everyday anti-UV clothing.
Whether your baby is almost bald or has a lot of hair, a hat is essential. It's best to choose an anti-UV hat that protects the neck and has a wide enough brim to shade the face. A brim that protects the ears is preferable to one that only protects the front. You should also choose a pair of sunglasses with UV protection.
Apply sun cream to exposed areas
Sun cream should be applied on babies aged 6 months and over and on young children. Choose a sun cream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50 that protects against UVA rays as well as against UVB rays. While UVB rays cause sunburn and the appearance of wrinkles, UVA rays cause deeper damage to the skin.
Apply sun cream 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply at least every two hours. Make sure you cover all exposed areas of your baby's skin 👶 including the tips of his ears, the back of his neck and the tops of his feet.
If your baby goes in the water, apply sun cream as soon as you dry off, even if it's been less than two hours since you applied it.
Other tips:
- Replace your sun cream regularly: the active ingredients lose their effectiveness after a while when the tube is opened.
- Take your baby's age into account when choosing a sunscreen: some creams contain toxic ingredients that can be irritating, allergenic or even endocrine disrupting.
Protecting your baby from the heat
Your baby is particularly exposed to the heat in summer. To avoid heat stroke and dehydration :
- Dress your baby in lightweight, UV-resistant clothing
- Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible
- Check the temperature of your car before putting your baby in it. Open the doors to let out the hot air, turn on the air conditioning to cool the air (without directing the air at baby), and then just make your baby comfortable.
- Give your baby enough to drink (breast milk or formula ensures good hydration; do not offer water before 6 months).
Make sure your baby is properly protected when in the care of others
Check with other carers that they understand the importance of protecting your baby from the sun and heat.
If young babies stay indoors a lot, day nurseries and crèches take every precaution before going out with children. So be sure to bring sun cream, a sunscreen and suitable clothing for the people you entrust your baby to.
Make life easier for yourself
Always carry sun cream, a hat and sunglasses in your bag. You should also pack an extra long-sleeved, long-legged outfit. This can be useful when your baby is more exposed to the sun and needs extra protection (breaks in the park, etc.).
