Sun protection

Summer, for many, is the best time of the year. And for kids it means being outside and having endless adventures. But as much as we all love the feeling of sun on our skin we have to be very careful. Especially with infants. Sunburns are painful for adults, but in babies sunburns can be a medical emergency. Babies under 6 months should be kept out of of direct sunlight at all times and from 6 months and up should be well protected and covered from the sun.

Here are our main recommendations for protecting infants, babies and toddlers from the sun.

Sunscreen

Adding sunscreen to newborns under six months is not recommended. A newborns sensitive skin means it's vulnerable to the chemicals in sunscreen. Meaning they more likely to react with things like rashes, allergies or inflammation. Babies are also more likely to ingest sunscreen by licking their hands, arms or other areas they can reach. However, after six months you can / should use sunscreen on your child. You should apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply every two hours. Many drugstore brands have children lines especially formulated for their skin.

Sun hat & sun protective clothing

When you spend longer time in the sun, you should always make sure your child is wearing a sunhat or a cap. The hat should cover the face, ears and the neck. A baby’s head should always be covered in the sun. Babies should be dressed in sun-protective clothing, that are lightweight, breathable and long sleeved. Brighter colours offer better sun protection. 

Shade and shelter

Make sure your child is in the shade during those hours of the day where the sun is strongest. Keep your baby in the shadows under a tree to make sure they aren't in the sun. But you could also have a sun umbrella on the pram or bring a sunscreen tent to the beach or the park. The SleepCarrier is perfect for keeping your child in the shade. With a SleepCarrier you know they have a safe and familiar environment to rest and play in.

Sunglasses

Children's eyes should always be protected from the sun, with a sun hat and/or UV-blocking sunglasses. Their eyes are sensitive and delicate and can be seriously damaged when in direct contact with the sun. Sunglasses should block 99-100 percent of both UVA and UVB light and a hat with a brim will help block UVB rays from the eyes and eyelids. Sunglasses don't have to be expensive to have a good UV protection, but they should also be comfortable, so that the child will want to wear them.

Car safety in the sun

When you are traveling by car it is extremely important to keep you baby well protected from the sun. To do this you can place your child in the centre seat to the back or make sure the car window blocks the UV light. Window film will block almost 100 % of Uv Rays without reducing visibility. And of course make sure your child is hydrated and cool on the road.

Baby Carriers sun protection

Carrying an infant or a baby in a baby carrier will help keep the child safe during summer. When the baby is carried close to you, it's easier to monitor and understand how they are feeling. Meaning it is more likely that you will notice if the child is to warm or not feeling well.