Cover Up Baby! Sun Safe Tips for Infants (and Parents)

We spend a whole lot of time talking about the best ways for you to protect your skin and prevent the harm caused by the sun’s UV rays. We give you countless tips and throw dozens of photos at you every week (heck, sometimes every day) begging you to slather on the sunscreen as a part of your daily routine as you would with commonalities like brushing your teeth or buckling up in the car… (And yes, we’re begging you. #SPFisYourBFF)

That’s because we care.

What we’ve failed to do—UNTIL NOW—is hone on in your little ones.

Babies don’t read things on the internet. Babies don’t read, period. (Apologies in advance if you’re a baby and you’re reading this…)

So it’s up to us—correction… It’s up to YOU, to prevent the hurt as it relates to your little squirts.

Introducing #NoSunForBabies

Now we get it. You can’t keep your infants cooped up and locked inside the house all day. Having fun outside and introducing your wee one(s) to nature is a beautiful thing. And just plain getting out of the house is (generally speaking) good for your health. But keep in mind that babies have the fairest skin of us all. It’s true!

A baby aged 0-6 months has far more sensitive skin than you do. Thus, it’s far more sensitive to sun exposure due to the fact that a baby’s skin contains very little melanin which is the pigment that gives us the color of our skin, hair, and eyes. What melanin also provides is some degree of sun protection. That said, regardless of your age, it doesn’t offer all the protection you might need—this varies from person to person. So, yes, protect the skin your baby is in!

Did you know that melanoma is among the most common forms of cancer for young adults aged 15-29?

And while those young adults are not babies, babies grow up into young adults (in case you weren’t aware…)

The greater point to consider is this:

Five or more “bad” sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma later on (hello age range 15-29)—and that counter starts the moment you’re born. You just don’t realize it.

Things to keep in mind when you’re outside with infants younger than 6 months old:

• Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible.
• Consult your pediatrician before using any sunscreen on your baby.
• Make sure your child wears clothing that covers and protects sensitive skin. Use common sense; if you hold the fabric against your hand and it’s so sheer that you can see through it, it probably doesn’t offer enough protection.
• Make sure your baby wears a hat that provides sufficient shade at all times.
• Watch your baby carefully to make sure he or she doesn’t show warning signs of sunburn or dehydration. These include fussiness, redness, and excessive crying.
• If your baby is becoming sunburned, get out of the sun right away and apply a cold compresses to the affected areas.
• Hydrate! Give your child formula or breast milk if you’re out in the sun for more than a few minutes. Don’t forget to use a cooler to store the liquids.

For more information on our No Sun for Babies program, click here.