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Receive our newsletterMidwife Sharon Trotter addresses your questions on how to keep your baby's skin protected from the hot summer sun.
In the course of my work and when attending baby shows or parenting events the following questions come up regarding summer sun protection for babies and children:
Firstly it is important to keep your baby out of direct sunlight when he is under one year of age. This can be done by using pram covers (even on cloudy days), UV pods, wraparound sunglasses, parasols and hats. Make sure the hats have a wide brim and that they do not have seams or labels that can irritate delicate skin. Keep clothing and bed linen to a minimum by using light layers of sheets or blankets made from natural fibres. If the weather is hot feed more often, as the baby demands. Breast milk is mostly made up of water so your baby will not become dehydrated. Bottle-fed babies may need extra drinks of boiled water. For older children remember to be SUN SMART, as recommended by the UKs national skin cancer prevention campaign:
Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3pm
Make sure you never burn
Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses
Remember to take extra care with children
Then use factor 15+ sunscreen (preferably SPF 25+)
For more information on sun protection for your children visit the Cancer UK website.
A sun protection factor (SPF) above 25+ is recommended for children. This should ideally be waterproof if the child is in and out of the pool or the sea. Some brands need to be reapplied every couple of hours whereas others will last all day with only one application. It is important to put the right amount of sun cream on your child and remember that however much you put on this will not allow your child to stay in the sun for many hours at a time. It is safer to avoid the hottest period of the day by staying out of the sun from 11am to 3pm, but ensure to cover up where possible and use sun glasses and hats at all times. There are few ranges of sun protection creams that do not contain potentially sensitising ingredients. Here are a few examples:
A product should always be tested on a small area of skin when used for the first time, even if it claims to be natural or organic.Following exposure to the sun you can use a simple emollient-based moisturiser as an after-sun treatment (pure aloe vera gels work well). This will give the natural barrier some protection and also reduce the chances of excessive water loss from your baby’s skin. Have a look at the TIPS Award winning baby lotions on our baby skincare results page These are all free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), propylene glycol, parabens or phathates.
A: There are now many specialist companies that make clothing suitable for wearing in the sun. They give almost total protection by acting as a complete sun block. This is ideal for baby skin as it avoids the need for sun-protection creams that may irritate delicate skin. The material is lightweight and breathable so it is not too hot but does protect against the harmful UV rays. Nonetheless these suits should not be used for long periods (stick to 1100 -1500 when UV rays are strongest) because a certain amount of sun exposure is essential for normal good health in order to produce vitamin D. Great websites who cater for UV kids clothing, aqua shoes, sunshades and sun protection include: Kids-Kaper Childrenswear (www.kids-kaper.co.uk), Equatorsun (www.equatorsun.com), Up to Five Children's Clothing www.uptofive.com
