If your baby is under six months, doctors recommend they are kept out of direct sunlight completely; their skin does not have enough melanin to prevent burning. If you can’t prevent your tiny baby being exposed to the sun (such as at a wedding), apply a small amount of sun cream and wash off when you are no longer in the sun.
Over six months, you should use a child-friendly (and preferably organic and reef-safe) sun cream on all exposed areas of skin of at least UPF30+.
You can also protect your child’s delicate skin by using lightweight, long sleeved and legged clothing, sun hats and baby-safe sunglasses. Seek shade as much as you can and try to avoid going out in the midday sun.
For further advice on keeping your child safe in the sun, we recommend the UK’s NHS advice here which states:
"Babies less than 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. Their skin contains too little melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour, and provides some protection from the sun.
Older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible, particularly in the summer and between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest. If you go out when it's hot, attach a parasol or sunshade to your baby's pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight.."
If you're travelling abroad, it's worth checking local advice for the country you are visiting - particularly if it's a hot country where UV levels may be much higher).
