by Paula Heron

I’d like to start by emphasizing one very important point to remember – for babies who are six months old or less, please keep them in the shade as baby clothes are inadequate protection and you should not put sunscreen on a baby’s skin.

We all know how important it is to protect our adult skin from too much exposure to the sun and it is especially important that babies and children are adequately protected. One could say the Victorians had it right as it was unfashionable to have a tan in those days. But later, and before we knew so much about skin cancer and the aging effect of the sun, having a tan was not only considered fashionable it was also regarded as being healthy.

However, anyone who is fortunate enough to live in a part of the world that enjoys lots of sunshine quickly begins to understand the risk of sunburn. Everyday life means appreciating the necessity of using the right protection (for example, clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen) particularly at peak times of the day.

Particularly at risk are young children and babies. Their skin is far more sensitive than adults and it burns more quickly. So to repeat the warning at the top of these notes, please keep your young babies in the shade and not exposed to direct sunlight. Be aware that sunshine can reflect off other surfaces and use baby clothes and a parasol or canopy to make sure there is no risk of sunburn.

The most common misconception among adults is that covering up with a polo shirt or T-shirt made out of light colored material will give the required level of protection. That may well not be correct. The latest research recommends that babies and children get the best protection from clothes made out of dark-colored closely-woven fabrics, not the usual white or light colored thin shirt.

You should also bear in mind that the head needs it’s own protection. A hat with wide brims can keep sunlight away from the neck, the face and the ears. Damage to eyes can be avoided by making sure your child uses sunglasses.

Although there are more and more suppliers of sun protective clothing for children these can be expensive and there is not a huge choice. There is a product called Sun Guard which you add to your normal laundry load along with your usual detergent and it provides up to UPF30 on everyday clothing. It provides protection for up to twenty washes.

Clothes only protect so much of the body and it is very important to adequately protect the skin that is left exposed with a high enough factor sunscreen. There are now so many sun blocks on the market even ones for sensitive skin so there is something for everyone. Dermatologists recommend using one with an SPF factor 15 or higher for babies over six months old and children to prevent burning and tanning.

Never skimp on sunscreen for your children or yourself. Sunscreen should be applied at least thirty minutes before exposure to the sun and applied generously every two hours or more often if you and child have been swimming. Don’t forget the ears, hands, feet, back of the neck and under swimsuit straps. But remember – sunscreens should not be used on babies younger than six months old, instead keep them in the shade.

It is painful to see anyone, whether a baby a child or an adult, suffering from sore red skin or even blisters because of too much time in the sun or too little protection from sunscreen or clothing. It is even more painful to experience it and it adds to the risk of skin cancer. One immediate essential after an incidence of sun burn is to keep out of the sun until the skin has recovered.

Finally, remember that even though we benefit from stronger teeth and bones that the sun gives us, due to the resultant Vitamin D that is produced in our bodies as an aid to calcium absorption, we only need just a few minutes to obtain that benefit.

About the Author: For a lot more helpful advice on baby clothing and newborn baby boy clothes and more, see this author’s web site.