Getting outside with a baby in the sunshine is one of the real pleasures of warmer weather. A little preparation means you can enjoy every minute of it.

I love this time of year. The days get longer, the weather gets warmer, and families start spending so much more time outside together. But with that comes something worth thinking about: how to keep babies and young children comfortable and protected when the sun is out. The good news is that it doesn't need to be complicated. A few simple habits and you can get on with enjoying it.

Why babies need a little extra care in the sun

Babies' skin is much thinner and more delicate than adult skin, which makes it more sensitive to the sun. They are also born with very little melanin - the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour and offers some natural protection against UV rays. This is why keeping babies under six months out of direct sunshine is so widely recommended. Shade, lightweight clothing and careful timing will do most of the work for you at this stage.

Sun protection as they get older

Once your baby is over six months, sun cream becomes part of the picture. Look for a broad-spectrum product that covers both UVA and UVB - children's sun cream typically comes as factor 50, which is a good starting point. Every baby's skin is different, so it's worth doing a small patch test before using a new product. Apply it to any exposed skin, reapply every two hours and after water, and check the expiry date - most sun creams should be replaced after 12 months of opening. Always read the instructions on the packaging of whichever product you choose, as guidance can vary between brands.

Clothing does a lot of the heavy lifting too. Loose, lightweight layers with long sleeves give good coverage without adding heat, and a wide-brimmed hat is one of the most practical things you can put on a young child in the sun - it covers the face, ears and the back of the neck all at once. In the UK the sun is generally strongest between 11am and 3pm, so it's worth factoring that into your plans when you can. If you're travelling abroad, it's always worth checking the UV index for where you're going, as it can be significantly higher than we're used to at home.

Watching out for signs your baby is too hot

Children can overheat more quickly than adults, so it's worth knowing what to look for. Signs that a baby or young child may be getting too hot include flushed skin, seeming unsettled or unusually lethargic, or feeling hot to the touch. If you're at all concerned that your child is unwell from the heat, move to a cool shaded spot and seek medical advice - don't wait to see if it passes. As ever, your health visitor or GP is the right person to turn to if you're unsure.

On the question of keeping babies hydrated in the heat, guidance has shifted over the years and can vary depending on how your baby is being fed. Your health visitor or midwife will be able to give you the most up-to-date advice for your situation - it's always worth a quick call if you're unsure.

Getting babies to sleep outside safely

None of this means you need to stay indoors. You can absolutely get your baby to sleep outside - in the garden, in a shaded spot, or out on a walk in the pram. The key is making sure they are properly shaded without compromising the airflow around them.

I always recommend SnoozeShade products for this. Clipping a muslin or blanket over the pram might seem like a simple fix, but it can trap heat inside and reduce the airflow around your baby. SnoozeShade shades are designed to work differently. The fabric is air-permeable, which means air flows through it freely. Your baby is shielded from the sun while air continues to circulate around them - so you get the shade without the heat building up inside the pram.

"You can still get your baby to sleep outside in the garden, in the shade, or on a walk in the pram. The key is making sure they're properly shaded without compromising the airflow around them."