Babies’ skin is more sensitive to the sun. Infants’ skin is thinner and more permeable, which means their delicate skin is prone to irritation from the elements. Prevent burns and skin damage by applying broad-spectrum sun protection factor (SPF). SPF 15 to 30 is preferred, but you can go up to SPF 50. Sunscreens higher than SPF 50 don’t offer additional protection.

Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outdoors for best effect–even on cloudy days. Up to 80% of ultraviolet (UV) rays get through clouds. When applying sunscreen, pay extra attention to the nose, tips of ears, cheeks, and tops of shoulders. Consider using sunscreen with zinc in it on these visible, more sun-sensitive areas. It doesn’t rub off as quickly and offers more protection. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or excessive sweating.

Make sure your child wears a hat and light, long-sleeved clothing. Also, have your child wear sunglasses to protect their eyes. Limit sun exposure between 10am and 4pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Make sure babies under 6 months are kept out of direct sunlight. Use a canopy, umbrella, or covered stroller to enjoy the sun with your infant! Carefully apply sunscreen to your baby.

If your baby is under 6 months old and is in direct sunlight, you can apply sunscreen to their face.
For babies older than 6 months, you can carefully apply sunscreen everywhere, but be careful around the eyes.

If they rub some in their eyes, gently wipe with a damp/wet washcloth to remove it. If they experience irritation or a rash, try a different sunscreen with zinc in it, or talk to your pediatrician.

Kids with dark-pigmented skin need sunscreen, too! People of color are also susceptible to skin cancer and sun damage. Though people of color have melanin quantities that help with protection from UV rays, it is minimal and shouldn’t be your child’s only protection from the sun. The thinning of the ozone layer has significantly increased the need for UV protection for all skin types. Apply at least 30 SPF when going out in the sun to reduce skin damage, even if your child has black or brown skin.

If your child gets sunburned and has blisters, fever, or symptoms of dehydration, they may have heat exhaustion. Call your pediatrician right away, or take them to the nearest Emergency Department to be seen. Severe dehydration and sunburn may require IV hydration and additional care.

Resources:

Further reading: Tanning and Tanning Salon Safety Tips for Young People - HealthyChildren.org

Tips for hot days: Extreme Heat: Tips to Keep Kids Safe When Temperatures Soar - HealthyChildren.org

Beach safety: Beach Safety for Families: Safe Fun in the Sun, Sand & Sea - HealthyChildren.org

This article was written by Katie Taibl, BSN, RN, CPN. Katie is a pediatric nurse and clinical freelance writer, with over nine years of experience in acute and primary care settings. As the Patient and Family Outreach Educator at Roslindale Pediatric Associates, she helps parents and patients access actionable, user-friendly health content.