Sun Safety for Babies

Help safeguard your baby's delicate skin from the sun with these 5 tips

Two parents relax in the sunshine on a park bench while their baby stays safe in a covered stroller.

There’s nothing quite like the softness of a baby’s skin. But because their skin is more delicate and thinner than an adult’s, it burns and becomes chapped or irritated more easily when exposed to sun.


Use these simple guidelines to keep your infant safe from the sun.

5 ways to help protect your baby's skin

1. The best protection for babies younger than 6 months is to keep them out of the direct sunlight. Keep the stroller canopy up, use an umbrella at the beach or find some shade under a leafy tree.


2. Avoid having a baby out between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the hottest.


3. If possible, dress your infant in lightweight clothing that covers the body, including hats with wide brims that shade the neck and face.


4. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can put a little sunscreen on the exposed areas of infants younger than 6 months. Use minimal sunscreen with at least 15 SPF on areas such as the backs of the hand, tips of the ears and tops of the feet. Test some on a small area of your baby’s skin and watch for any reaction before applying.


5. Apply protection 15 to 30 minutes before going out. Remember to reapply every one-and-a-half to two hours, especially if your baby goes in the water.