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8 Baby Sun Safety Tips

Babies have hypersensitive skin, and can get sunburns easily. The outer layer of their skin is still developing and thinner than adult skin.

You’ll want to stay on top of sun protection and practice these best sun safety tips to prevent your baby from getting sunburns, heat rashes, heat strokes, heat exhaustion and burns by touching hot surfaces.

Source: HealthLink BC

This post details everything you’ll need to know about baby sun care from before heading out the door to after sun exposure care.

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1. Know Your Sunscreen Ingredients

Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen for Babies

  • Mineral sunscreens (“physical” sunscreens) act like a shield for the skin. It works immediately upon application. This will generally create a white cast due to the active ingredients in the sunscreen. Best for sensitive skin and babies.
  • Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin. It’s best to apply 10-15 minutes before sun exposure. This type of sunscreen is more cosmetically elegant, but will irritate sensitive skin easier.

Toxic Chemical Ingredients in Baby Sunscreens

Not all “clean” sunscreens are truly free of toxic ingredients. Below are common toxic ingredients in sunscreens you should be aware of and stay away from even if the label says all of the right things.

  • Oxybenzone: safe up to 6%. Used to filter UV rays. Possible endocrine disruptor, could cause eye irritation, cause skin allergies, and are toxic to aquatic organisms. Pregnant women need to avoid.
  • Octinoxate: safe up to 7.5%. Used to protect against UVB rays. It’s a known endocrine disruptor, effecting development, brain and metabolism. Linked to breast cancer.
  • Homosalate: safe up to 10% EU and 15% FDA. Used as a broad spectrum UV filter. Low concerns but potential endocrine disruptor.
  • Avobenzone: safe up to 3% FDA and 5% EU. Used to absorb UVA rays. Low concerns but some people may have an allergic reaction to this ingredient.
  • Octocrylene: safe up to 10%. Used to absorb UVB and short-wave UVA rays. Low concerns but research shows it could be an allergen leading to contact dermatitis in children.
  • Octisalate: safe up to 5%. Used to absorb UVB rays. Low concerns but some people may have an allergic reaction to this ingredient.
  • PABAs (para-aminobenzoic acid): safe up to 15%. Used as UVB filters. Research shows it is a endocrine disruptor, and has cancer causing potential.
  • Parabens: preservatives common in skin care products. Linked to breast cancer, reproductive issues and ecological harm.
  • Phthalates: weak endocrine disruptors and androgen blocking chemicals.
  • Fragrance/ Parfum: low concerns but can cause irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.

Safe Ingredients in Baby Sunscreens

  • Zinc Oxide: Mineral sunscreen ingredient. Powdered or spray formulations with nanoparticles have inhalation concerns.
  • Titanium Dioxide: Mineral sunscreen ingredient. Powdered or spray formulations with nanoparticles have inhalation concerns.

2. Wear Enough SPF and Get Broad Spectrum Sun Protection

Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

Your baby (and you!) needs at least SPF 30 if they are going to have any sun exposure. SPF measures the sunscreen protection for UVB rays only.

It is BETTER to opt for SPF 30 or 50 and re-apply consistently every 80 minutes rather than thinking SPF 70+ is more protection and NOT re-applying as frequently!

  • SPF 30: blocks 97& of UVB rays.
  • SPF 50: blocks 98% UVB rays.
  • SPF 70: blocks 98.5% UVB rays.

2 Tablespoons Every 2 Hours

This is a good rule of thumb to know how much to apply on the face and neck. You can also measure by the “two fingers rule“: use the length of your pointer finger and middle finger as the measure.

On all other areas of the body, ensure you thoroughly cover the area and re-apply immediately after sweating, or exposure to water.

Broad Spectrum Sun Protection

  • You’ll want broad spectrum sun protection for your baby. This means both UVA and UVB protection.
  • UVB rays penetrate into the top skin layer, and this is what causes sun burns and sun tans. UVB rays are strongest between 11am to 3pm, which is also the hottest time of the day.
  • UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing DNA damage which results in dark patches and premature aging.

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3. Familiarize with Different Types of Baby Sunscreens

  • Sunscreen Lotion: the most common form of sunscreen. Most baby and kid friendly sunscreens are mineral sunscreen lotions. These will likely cause some sort of white cast with a thicker formulation but it acts as a true “barrier” against UV rays. Mineral sunscreens works immediately upon application. I use this for all over the body and double up with the sunscreen stick for the face.
  • Sunscreen Spray: aerosol cans. Avoid zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles for inhalation concerns. My favourite one is linked below and it is a chemical sunscreen. I find that this works best for re-application on top of the sunscreen lotions all over the body.
  • Sunscreen Stick: thicker balm-like formula that is usually sweat proof. This is best to be applied on the face and neck area. Sunscreen sticks are compact and can be easily reapplied.

4. Best Baby Sunscreen Recommendations

Sunscreen for Babies Under 6 Months

  • Babies younger than 6 months should not wear sunscreens. If you are expecting a lot of direct sun exposure, a thin layer on the exposed areas on the face and hands would be better than no protection at all.
  • Using lightweight UV protective clothing as well as staying under the shade is the best sun protection for babies under 6 months. Do NOT wrap the car seat! Read study described under the heading in this post “Safe fun under the sun“.
  • I recently watched a quick study by @safeintheseat and she showed that covering the stroller with a swaddle blanket, a wrap cover, or enclosing it with a mosquito net will create a greenhouse effect that traps the hot air inside.

Babies Older Than 6 Months

For my top recommendations in each of the sunscreen types reviewed above, I focus on 3 key factors:

  1. Truly safe and non-irritating formula.
  2. Easy application.
  3. Easy re-application.

Best Baby Sunscreen Lotion

  • ThinkBaby Sunscreen Lotion
  • Mineral sunscreen, broad spectrum.
  • SPF 50 only.
  • Water resistant 80 minutes.
  • No oxybenzone, avobenzone, PABA, parabens, phthalates and reef friendly.
  • Since this is a mineral sunscreen, it will leave a white cast. I actually prefer the white cast so I can see where I’ve applied the sunscreen on my kids. I find it spreads easily and isn’t greasy. There is no need to “rub it in” forcefully for mineral sunscreens since it is not absorbed by the skin. It’s always better to apply more than not enough.
  • **A note about new formulation: It seems that new packaging shows “lightly scented”. The previous version was fragrance free. There are some concerns around fragrance in sunscreens, but this should pose as a low concern since majority of the formula with the clean ingredients has not been drastically changed. I would still purchase this sunscreen over many others on the market.

Best Baby Sunscreen Spray

  • Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray
  • Chemical sunscreen, broad spectrum, sprays on clear.
  • SPF 30 and 50 options.
  • Water resistant 80 minutes.
  • Octinoxate and Oxybenzone free.
  • Moisturizing (vitamin E infused), cooling, AND smells great. We really love this for its easy application, and use this most for re-application for all over the body. Even though it is a chemical sunscreen, I find this to be a very gentle and clean formula. It does not irritate my daughter’s skin.

Best Baby Sunscreen Stick

  • Blue Lizard Baby Sunscreen Stick
  • Mineral sunscreen, broad spectrum, fragrance free.
  • SPF 50 only.
  • Sweat and water resistant 80 minutes.
  • Best to be used on the face where your baby might be sweating the most. Easy application without having to “rub” too much. It can be easily re-applied on sensitive areas like nose, ears, and forehead.

Other Great Sunscreen Brands in Stores

5. Use Sun Protective Clothes and Gear

Similar to SPF in sunscreens, sun protective clothing have a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). UPF indicates how much UV radiation (both UVA and UVB) a fabric allows to reach your baby’s skin.

  • UPF 50: blocks 98% UVA and UVB rays.
  • Dark colours absorbs the UV rays, thus offer better protection than lighter colours.
  • Densely woven clothing materials will provide more sun protection than sheer or thin materials.
  • Loose-fitting clothes are better than tight clothes because the clothing fibers will be stretched which allows more UV light to peek through.
  • Wet clothing will lose some of its protective ability.

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation

Best Sun Protective Clothes

  • Jan & Jul Sun Hat with wide brim
  • UPF 50+ with extra coverage for the neck area. I prefer this one over the Jan & Jul floppy sun hat because the brim on that one isn’t wide enough.
  • This hat is perfect for beach days and outdoor adventures where there are lots of direct exposure to sunlight. I also like how this hat is adjustable.
  • Another more expensive sun hat option I like is by Briar Baby. They have an extended front brim with beautiful pattern options. Canadian moms can get this from Merely Me.
  • Splash About Warm in One Wetsuit and Rash Guard
  • UPF 50+ unique fleece-lined wetsuit, keeping babies warmer for longer during swimming sessions.
  • I have searched high and low for a warm and quality material wetsuit and rash guard for my daughters. This one fits the bill perfectly. Remember even if you go out to the beach to swim and the sun is bright, the water could still be cold. The thicker material prevents UV rays from penetrating and keeps your baby warmer longer.
  • Note the fit is slightly small so check by weight not by age.

Best Sun Protective Gear

  • Car Window Shade
  • UPF 50+ and SPF 100 protection.
  • The UV rays can penetrate into the car easily on a hot day. If you are driving under the direct sun, you’ll want something to filter the heat and also the UV rays that are beaming in. This is especially important if you have small babies under a year old!
  • This shade looks like it might fall right off but it really doesn’t. I’ve put it on and taken it off multiple times and it still works somehow. Having the shades on the window makes a huge difference even though it’s not covering the full span of the window.
  • Babymoov Anti-UV Pop Up Tent
  • UPF 50+ with a velcro mosquito net.
  • Easy “pop-up” design with no assembly required and super lightweight. Note that it will only fit your baby (or 2 babies or toddlers) because it is very small. The folding takes a few practices, but it’s not rocket science.
  • When we go to the beach as a family, we bring this big beach tent instead. The babymoov tent is really for those outings at the park or playdates outdoors when there aren’t much shade.

6. Safe Fun Under the Sun

  • Sunscreen and sun protection outdoor, always. Even if it seems cloudy or does not feel very hot, the damaging UV rays can penetrate the cloud cover and reflect off of many surfaces all around us. Children under 12 months of age especially need sun protection whenever they go out.
  • Keep Hydrated. For young babies under 6 months old, breastmilk is best. Provide cool water for babies older than 6 months.
  • Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Always watch for your baby or toddler’s expressions for dizziness or nausea. Touch their skin to see if it is extra hot, damp or red.
  • Do NOT wrap or cover the car seat or stroller under the sun. I recently watched a quick study by @safeintheseat and she showed that covering the stroller with a swaddle blanket, a wrap cover, or enclosing it with a mosquito net will create a greenhouse effect that traps the hot air inside.
    • Outside temperature was 87°F, or 30.5°C, thermometer checked in each of the 4 scenarios after 30 minutes. These strollers were placed under direct sunlight.
      • Heat stroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104°F or 40°C.
      • Body temperature of 107°F or 41.7°C can be fatal to a child.
    • After 30 minutes: swaddle blanket 121°F (49°C), wrap cover 116°F (47°C), enclosed mosquito net 115°F (46°C) and open car seat 105°F (41°C).
  • Be careful of hot surfaces. For example, pavement, playground metal slides, or car doors.
  • Never use baby oil to “protect” children from the sun. It will do more harm than good.
  • Never leave children in a parked vehicle. Even with windows down!

7. Minimize Sun Exposure Time

UV Index

Sun Exposure in the Summer

  • Try to stay indoors or under shade during the hottest time of day (10 am to 4 pm).
  • Sun burns can happen as quickly as within 15 minutes when the UV index is very high (8-10). You can read all about the levels of UV index and how long it takes to get sunburnt here.
  • Use sun protective clothing and gear in conjunction with sunscreen.
  • Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours or less (80 minutes) if exposed to water and sweat.

8. After Sun Soothing Care for Sunburns

  • Badger After Sun Balm
  • Does not contain Aloe Vera which some people might be sensitive to.
  • Multi-use and effective. Great for the skin after damage from sun exposure, sunburns, and any dry areas on the body.
  • Thrive Natural After Sun Lotion
  • Formulated with aloe vera, coconut and jojoba oil. Plant based ingredients, reef safe and non-nano with antioxidants.
  • Cooling and soothing. Ingredients work to reduce pain and soothe sunburnt skin. It helps skin heal faster from skin damage, and moisturizes at the same time. This is a thicker formula so it’s a bit harder to rub in, but it works!

This post was all about the 8 best baby sun safety tips. Always review the UV index, be over protected rather than under protected for the sun. These baby sun protection tips will prevent sun burns, heat rashes and heat exhaustion in your little babes!

I hope this post has helped you prepare for a safe, fun filled summer with your baby.

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