Tips to Keep Baby Safe from the Summer Sun

Considering that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, we as parents all want to give our kids the best start to a life free from sun damage. Check out these tips to help protect your baby from sunburns today, and from skin cancer years in the future.

• Always keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight. You can find shade beneath a tree or umbrella, or use your stroller’s canopy.

• Dress your baby in cool, comfortable clothing that covers his or her body, such as lightweight cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats.

• Choose clothes for your baby that are made from fabric with a tight weave to better protect from the sun’s UV rays.

• Avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm—that’s when UV rays are the strongest.

• Look for baby-sized sunglasses with at least 99% protection from UV rays.

• Use a sunscreen on your baby that is labeled broad-spectrum to protect from both UVB and UVA rays.

• Your baby’s sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 15, and a UVA rating system of 3 to 4 stars.

• If your baby is less than 6 months old, use sunscreen on small areas of their body, like their face and backs of their hands.

• Babies older than 6 months should have sunscreen applied to all areas of their body. If your baby rubs sunscreen into their eyes, gently wipe their eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth.

• Apply your baby’s sunscreen about 30 minutes before going outdoors to give it time to absorb into their skin.

• Reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours, and remember it wears off more quickly after swimming or sweating.

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