Suncare For Your Little One

Your baby’s skin is delicate and deserves special protection, especially from the sun.(1) Given that up to 72 % of children are sunburned every year, it’s more important than ever to protect your little one’s skin from the sun.(2)

Why do babies need extra sun protection?

• Babies and toddlers have thinner skin than adults and produce less melanin (1) – the pigment that gives skin its colour and provides some natural protection against UV rays.(3)
• Less melanin means babies have weaker natural defence against the sun, making them much more prone to sunburn.(1)
• UV rays don’t just cause sunburn. They can damage DNA in skin cells and weaken the skin’s immune function, which increases the risk of skin cancer later in life.(1)
• Even one blistering sunburn in childhood can nearly double the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, later in life.(4)

Tips to protect your baby and little one from the sun

Seek shade

• Keep your baby out of direct sunlight, especially if they are younger than 6 months.(4)
• Use a stroller hood, canopy, or umbrella to create shade when outside.(4)

Dress smart

• Choose sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants and a wide-brimmed hat to cover delicate skin.(4)

Be careful with sunscreen

• For babies under 6 months, sunscreen should only be used if shade and clothing are not available.(4) The FDA advises keeping babies under 6 months out of the sun entirely from 10 am to 2 pm and to use protective clothing and shade instead of sunscreen.(5)
• From 6 months and older, babies and children can use sunscreen as directed on the label.(5) Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming or sweating.(4)

Time it right

• Avoid being outdoors with your baby between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.(5,6)

Watch the heat

• Babies can overheat quickly. Keep them hydrated, cool, and shaded. If they become fussy, red, or unusually irritable, move indoors immediately.(4)

How do sunscreens work?

• Sunscreens contain filters that absorb or block ultraviolet (UV) A and B rays before they can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.(1)
• They are the only form of sun protection proven to prevent skin cancer.(1)

What is sun protection factor (SPF)?

• SPF indicates the level of protection a sunscreen provides against UVB rays and how long it helps prevent sunburn compared to unprotected skin.(1)
• For example, when applied correctly, an SPF 15 sunscreen lets you stay in the sun about 15 times longer without burning compared to no protection.(1)
• A sunscreen with an SPF 50 (maximum protection) provides 98 % protection against UVB rays.(1)

Quick sun safety checklist for parents

• Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight.(4,5)
• Use shade, hats, and long-sleeved clothing as the first line of defence.(4)
• Apply SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen (6 months and older).(4,5)
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or after water play.(4)
• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.(5)
• Always watch for overheating signs — fussiness, redness, irritability.(4)

Key takeaway

Your baby’s skin is delicate and vulnerable to sunburn. (1) Protecting it from the sun now helps prevent painful sunburn today and lowers the risk of skin cancer tomorrow. (1) With shade, smart clothing, sunscreen use, and good habits, you can keep your little one protected while still enjoying time outdoors.(4,5)

References:

1. Paller AS, Hawk JLM, Honig P, et al. New Insights About Infant and Toddler Skin: Implications for Sun Protection. Pediatrics 2011;128(1):92-102.
2. Tripp MK, Peterson SK, Prokhorov AV, et al. Correlates of Sun Protection and Sunburn in Children of Melanoma Survivors. Am J PrevMed 2016;51(3):e77-e85.
3. Cleveland Clinic. Melanin. [cited 2025 Sept 16]; Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22615-melanin.
4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Infant sun protection: how parents can keep their baby safe. [cited 2025 Sept 16]; Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/sun-babies.
5. FDA. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. [cited 2025 Sept 16]; Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun.
6. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation and Sun Exposure. [cited 2025 Oct 08]; Available from: https://www.epa.gov/radtown/ultraviolet-uv-radiation-and-sun-exposure.

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