Many parents worry about the dangers of sun exposure for children, and rightfully so. There’s a lot of scary information out there, and many people want to paint sun exposure as scary and harmful. But it’s SO important to recognize the numerous benefits that sunlight offers to our children’s health and well-being. From supporting Vitamin D synthesis to boosting mood and immunity, daily sun exposure plays a vital role in their development.
Ironically, blocking the sun out completely can be just as bad a choice as worshipping the sun. Talk about mixed messages, right? I think the answer to this question is all about balance. Children need healthy and safe sun exposure every day. That’s a fact. Let’s focus on how to practice safe sun exposure instead of living in fear of the sun.
So, how exactly do you keep your little ones safe in the sun while getting some healthy sun exposure? I’m sharing some of the things we, as parents, can do to enjoy the outdoors with our little ones safely… and without worry!
Children Need Safe Sun Exposure Every Day
Depending on where you live, your skin type, and how old your baby is, you and your baby will need up to 15 minutes of direct sunlight without any sunscreen or shade every day to produce the appropriate amount of Vitamin D. Ask your pediatrician how much time your baby should spend in the sun every day.
The goal is to get a few minutes of healthy sun exposure each day so that you and your baby can produce adequate vitamin D. Between 7am-11am or 3pm-5pm every day is when you’ll get the safest sunlight.
But you aren’t limited to just deliberately spending a few minutes in the sun with your baby. By following some basic sun safety tips, you and your little one can enjoy the outdoors.
Sun-Safety Tips for Babies (and Children Too!)
When it comes to spending time outdoors in the summer or when it’s sunny out, the key is to reduce your child’s risk of getting a sunburn, which has been shown to cause cell damage and increase the risk of melanoma and skin cancers later in life. But there are more things that you can do to enjoy the sun than simply slathering your baby’s skin with sunscreen all day. Here are my sun safety tips!
Avoid sun exposure for babies under 6 months.
Infants under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight. Most doctors will advise against using sunscreen on a baby under 6 months; this is most likely because babies are sensitive to the side effects of chemical sunscreens. This might not apply to mineral baby sunscreens because they don’t contain harsh active ingredients like chemical sunscreens do, but the AAP and FDA guidance hasn’t officially been updated.
So, until your baby is six months old, the best thing to do is dress them for the sun in loose clothes that cover their body (I have always liked Burt’s Bees Baby clothing for this purpose because it’s very lightweight), use sun-protective clothing, and have them wear a sun hat (not a baseball cap) to protect them from the sun.
Avoid peak sunlight hours.
Our bodies need direct sunlight exposure every day to maximize Vitamin D production. However, you should limit your baby to a maximum of 15 minutes per day during non-peak sunlight hours. The sun is at its strongest between 11 am and 3 pm. Avoid spending these hours outside when possible. Early morning (7 am — 11 am) or late afternoon (3 pm — 5 pm) are the best times of the day to be out in the sun.
Use sun hats and UV-protective clothing.
One of the most effective ways to protect your baby’s skin is to use sun hats and wear UV-protective clothing and swimwear. My go-to brands are Hanna Andersson and Primary because most of their items are Oeko-Tex certified. Even though the UV-protective clothes are made from synthetic fabrics like polyester, they are certified to be free of hazardous substances, so you can feel comfortable using them on your little one.
Use a stroller with a sun canopy.
An easy way to keep your baby out of direct sunlight is to take advantage of your stroller. Most full-sized strollers have protective sunshades. Find out if yours does or invest in one for summertime.
We swear by our full-sized stroller (and it has a pop-out UPF 50+ sunshade) but I would also consider investing in a nice jogging stroller that has a UPF 45+ sunshade (don’t worry – no actual jogging is required).
If you need more stroller options, check out our guide to the best non-toxic strollers.
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Find some shade.
Sitting in the shade is a great way to get in some extra outdoor time every day. Use a nice picnic blanket under a shady tree for some extra play time or strategically place your baby’s outdoor toys in the shade in your backyard. Bring along a sun shade or even an umbrella. Play at parks that have a sunshade and avoid (or limit your time in) any uncovered areas.
Avoid reflective surfaces.
Water, sand, and snow reflect up to 50% of the sun’s UV rays, so reduce your baby’s time around these surfaces. Even sitting in the shade near a reflective surface won’t guarantee that you aren’t getting exposed to UV rays. Avoid those reflective surfaces as much as possible, or be sure to wear proper sun protective clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses for these outings.
Watch for signs of discomfort or dehydration.
Keep an eye on your baby outdoors. Don’t let your baby get too hot and make sure they aren’t getting fussy or their skin isn’t starting to get red. Also make sure they are well-hydrated; give breast milk or formula for babies, and always bring a water bottle once your baby is old enough to drink water.
Don’t forget about sun exposure in the car.
Even if your windows are tinted, they may not provide adequate UV protection. Use window shades or a breathable car seat cover positioned on the window side or hanging from the roof handle to provide your baby some extra protection from the sun while in the car.
Use baby-safe sunscreen for prolonged sun exposure.
Choosing a good baby sunscreen is essential, but it is only one step in practicing safe sun exposure. And that’s why it’s listed as the final recommendation on this list. It’s not the ONLY thing we should be doing.
When my boys were young toddlers, our pediatrician advised me to apply sunscreen when the kids would be spending more than 60-90 minutes in the sun (we are naturally pretty tan; this advice wouldn’t necessarily apply to everyone).
But remember, it’s important not to over-rely on sunscreen; even the EWG advises using it as a last resort. When you do use sunscreen, apply a thick enough layer to provide good coverage and reapply it often, per the manufacturer’s instructions. But be sure that you’re also following the other sun safety tips mentioned above! Sunscreen should not be the only tool you use.
Enjoy Safe Sun With Your Little One
Sometimes, your baby is going to be outside, and that’s OK! There’s no way to avoid being outdoors fully; you wouldn’t want to do that anyway. Just be sure to follow these sun-safety tips to keep your little one safe and sunburn-free. Summertime with young kids is the best — enjoy it!
If you’re planning a day at the pool, make a homemade after-swim vitamin C spray!
Do you have any other tips that we should know about? Please share in the comments below!
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