Are you clued up on baby sun protection? Here are 9 common mistakes to avoid
We know we should protect our babies’ skin from the sun, but many of us are confused. Should we slather on the sunscreen, or skip it and keep baby in the shade?
The answer depends on your baby’s age, says dermatologist Dr Adil Sheraz (@dr_adilsheraz).
“Staying out of direct sun is a must for babies under the age of 6 months because their skin doesn’t contain enough melanin to offer any natural protection against the sun. Sunscreens aren’t recommended for this age group because their thin, delicate skin may react and develop a rash or irritation.
“For babies over 6 months, it’s still important to avoid the sun as much as possible, but you should also protect their skin with sunscreen. Babies’ skin is much more sensitive than adults’ and not protecting it from a young age can cause damage that can lead to skin cancer later in life,” he says.
But many of us are still slipping up because of some common sunscreen misconceptions…
9 sun cream mistakes to avoid
1. We don’t actually use it
You may be tempted to do without sun protection to let your baby’s skin ‘build up some tolerance to the sun’ or to ‘benefit from the vitamin D’. But building up tolerance to the sun isn’t possible: a tan is a sign of skin damage. It’s far safer for your baby to get vitamin D from a daily supplement (if breastfed) or from their formula milk.
2. We don’t put enough on
It can be challenging to apply sun cream to a wriggling baby, but to get the product’s full protection you need to apply it generously to all exposed skin. Most of us only put on a quarter of the amount we should. Shake well before use, and don’t forget the neck, ears, backs of hands and tops of feet. “I use a roll-on lotion that makes it quick and easy to apply SPF, before any tears! And a foundation makeup brush is a good way to get to those tricky-to-reach places. You can brush on the sun cream and make a game of it,” says Ali Robertson, mum of Ava, 4 and Grayson, 2.
3. We don’t give it time to absorb
Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes, and preferably 30 minutes, before you go outdoors to give it time to soak into skin and ensure your baby is properly protected. If you wait until you are in the sun to apply sunscreen, your baby’s skin won’t be protected and can burn.
4. We don’t reapply it
Many of us forget to reapply sun cream, meaning that sun damage occurs later on in the day once the first application weakens. The British Skin Foundation says we should reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming (even if it's a water-resistant formula). Don’t use a spray on your baby’s face: instead, spray it into your hands first and then apply it, so you can avoid their eyes.
5. We rely on sunscreen more than clothing
No sunscreen gives 100% protection from the sun. As your first line of defence, dress your little one in cool cotton clothes and a wide-brimmed hat to protect their skin, and sunglasses to protect their eyes. Baby care expert and parenting coach Millie Poppins says: “Always keep a sun hat in your baby bag to create some much-needed shade. I like a wide-brim hat with a toggle to help it stay put.”
6. We get complacent
The sun’s rays can be just as harmful in the UK as abroad. If you’re spending the summer at home, keep a bottle of sun cream handy so you can pop some on your baby before heading out with the buggy or playing in the garden.
7. We don’t realise sun penetrates clouds and glass
Up to 80% of UV rays will pass through clouds, so your baby’s unprotected skin can get a sunburn even on an overcast day. While glass blocks UVB rays, damaging UVA rays will still penetrate it. If you’re going on a car journey, invest in a window blind to shield your baby.
8. We don’t use sun cream on dark-skinned babies
“Babies with darker skin tones are still susceptible to sun damage and sunburn, therefore the same SPF advice applies to all babies and children, whatever their skin colour,” says Dr Sheraz.
9. We don’t seek out shade
Keep little ones out of the sun from 11am to 3pm. Look for the shady side of the street when you’re out with the buggy, or use a pram parasol or a screen to shade your baby. (Never cover the whole buggy in a blanket for shade as it could cause your baby to dangerously overheat.) If you’re spending the day outside at the pool or park, a sun protection suit or an anti UV tent will shield your tot from the sun’s rays.
Which sun cream is best for babies?
These days there are many child-friendly sun cream ranges on the supermarket shelves, which means you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to age-appropriate SPF.
Look for a sunscreen that’s at least SPF30, but preferably SPF50, to protect your baby from the sun’s burning rays (UVB).
And always check that the sun cream has at least 4 out of 5 stars UVA protection. UVA rays penetrate the skin deeper and damage the DNA, leading to premature ageing. If your baby’s skin is sensitive, look for non-fragranced, hypoallergenic products to minimise allergy risk.
Sun creams in the UK are regulated, so cheaper ones should do just as good a job as the more expensive alternatives. A recent Which report highly recommended Asda sun care products, calling them ‘great value compared with rivals’.
