Can Infants Wear Sunscreen A Mom’s Guide To An Outdoor Summer With A Newborn

Can infants wear sunscreen? The sun is shining, the weather is warmer and that means one thing. It’s time to gear up for an outdoor summer. Naturally, sun safety is on your mind.

If you’re like many parents, you are wondering, how do I protect my baby’s soft and sensitive skin from the hot sun? And what am I supposed to do to keep them safe in the sun without sacrificing the benefits of being outside?

The short answer is that infants under six months cannot wear sunscreen, or at least not as a first line of defense against the sun . The AAP (American Association of Pediatrics), FDA and the Skin Cancer Foundation all recommend waiting until a baby is at least 6 months of age before introducing sunscreen.

Keeping babies in shade and covered with clothing is the preferred method of protecting babies skin in the sunshine. However, that said, your number one goal is to make sure they do not burn. If the only way to accomplish that goal is to use sunscreen, use it.

Surprised by this answer? Read on to learn about the ins and outs of sun safety with an infant.

Let’s dive into appropriate sunscreen habits, the amazing gift you are giving your children by being outside, and how to dress them for the sunny weather!

Are There Benefits To Some Sun Exposure For My Newborn?

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You may be surprised to hear that researchers have begun to look at benefits of not wearing sunscreen at all for SMALL amounts of time. Why would they do this? Well, unfortunately, a significant amount of breastfeeding mothers, and their infants, are deficient in vitamin D.

Vitamin D is so important to everyone’s health. Including newborns. It helps support their immune system – which decreases how often they are sick. One example of this immune supporting power is Covid. Sunlight can be such a boost to the immune system it can even decrease the severity and improve recovery rates of Covid infections.

Vitamin D also has an important role in reducing autoimmunity and can even help prevent some allergies!

How Much Sun Exposure Help My Little One Get Enough Vitamin D?

Researchers have concluded that a minimum of 30 minutes weekly of afternoon sunlight exposure, between 10 am and 3 pm, where over 40% body area is exposed to sun for at least 16 weeks, was the estimated requirement to achieve sufficient vitamin D levels (>20 ng/mL) by 6 months of age.

This would be bringing your infant outside, clothed only in a diaper, laying on their back for about 30 minutes a week.

As a mom, I know my kids will burn at different amounts of sun exposure. So make sure to watch your little one and make sure that they don’t burn if you are taking an afternoon sunning session once a week.

In most cases, if you are spending time outside regularly, it will not be difficult to reach a total of 30 minutes weekly of sun time to get enough vitamin D.

Of course, you can also tailor this to your own family. Maybe you live in an area where there isn’t much sunlight, so you have to make an effort to get out and grab some rays. Maybe you are an outdoor fam in a sunny area and your main focus is sun protection almost always.

Let’s talk about sun safety with your infant the rest of the time outdoors.

3 Simple Sun Safety Rules For Infants

Sun Safety Rule 1: Seek Shade Especially Between 10 and 2

If you’re spending a day at the beach, going for a regular walk, or playing outdoors, look for a shady spot to park your infant.

This can mean adding a simple sun shade to your stroller so you have shade no matter where you go. Keep in mind, you do not want your pram to get too hot. A blanket or fully enclosed pram can heat up fast. Make sure there is airflow around you little one and check on them regularly in hot weather to make sure they do not overheat.

Seeking shade can also mean laying your little one on an outdoor blanket underneath a tree while you watch older siblings play at the park.

Seeking shade can also mean creating shade by bringing a beach tent with you wherever you go.

The sun’s rays are their most intense between 10-2. So especially during these hours, seek shade for your infant.

Sun Safety Rule 2: Dress To Create A Barrier To The Sun

When it comes to protecting your infant from bright and strong rays of sunshine, loose clothing is an asset.

Look for clothes with a light weight and tight weave. To tell how tight a fabrics weave is, hold it up to see how much light shines through. The less light, the tighter the weave and the more sun protection it provides.

You can also look for clothing that provides UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor.

These UPF swimsuits for girls and boys are so cute for infants!

The AAP also recommends having your infant wear a hat with a 3 inch brim – like these ones.

And to get your infant a pair of sunglasses, like these cute heart ones or these snazzy boy ones!

Sun Safety Rule 3: Choose A Mineral Sunscreen With An Active Ingredient Of Zinc Or Titanium Dioxide

There has been a lot of debate over sunscreens and how safe they are the last few years. Not only can some ingredients be harmful to the environment, but many have active ingredients that are not FDA approved. According to the Environmental Working Group, in 2021, the FDA reviewed 16 ingredients commonly used in sunscreens and only reported two of them safe. Those were Zinc and Titanium Dioxide.

The FDA proposed that 12 other ingredients are not GRASE (Generally Regarded As Safe And Effective) due to insufficient data: Avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, padimate O, and sulisobenzone.

These ingredients may still be found in the market. So take a look at your ingredients before you choose a sunscreen to put on your infant this year.

Which Sunscreens Should I Use If I Have To Use Sunscreen On My Infant

Newborns are so little, so it is no surprise that their skin is more likely to burn than that of an adults.

Studies show that babies’ skin isn’t fully developed for the first two years of life. During that time, it is easier to burn, and the Also, harmful effects from the sun, like changes in the skin caused by UV rays, can start as early as the first summer of life.

So if you can’t properly find shade or create a barrier with clothing, then sunscreen is definitely preferable to a burn. Even for infants under six months. Here are a few brands we like.

SBB Infant Sunscreen Choice One – TruKid Easy On Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

This sunscreen has both zinc and titanium dioxide – meaning it uses the two FDA approved ingredients, it is dermatologist tested, cruelty free (meaning not tested on animals), paraben free and gentle on all skin types. Although mineral sunscreen in general doesn’t rub in as well as their chemical counterparts, I do appreciate that this one is not a thick white paste. It does rub into the skin pretty well.

SBB Infant Sunscreen Choice Two – Badger Mineral Sunscreen Combo, SPF 30 Cream & SPF 35 Face Stick

This is another mostly organic and mineral based sunscreen. Compared to TruKid, it does seem like it takes a bit more to rub in and is a bit greasier. Like TruKid, it comes in a pretty small container.

I am not sure I would pay so much for myself to use badger balm as a daily sunscreen, but for my little one, who doesn’t need so much? Absolutely.

I also really like that the badger balm comes with a sunscreen stick. I find this makes applying sunscreen on the face so much easier.

SBB Infant Sunscreen Choice Three – Babyganics SPF 50 Baby Sunscreen Spray

I’m not going to lie, I don’t really love spray sunscreens for my kids. It seems like the easiest to apply at first, but it also seems like the easiest to miss areas with and not realize until a tan or burn starts to develop in the streaks of where my spray didn’t go.

Also, with a spray, it always seems like so much is wasted, just blowing away if we are outside or filling the entryway of our house if we are putting it on on the way out the door.

That said, if I was sending a little one with grandparents or an uncle that was unlikely to fuss with sunscreen, I would definitely set them up with a spray. It is so much quicker than the others to apply. And, there is usually less of a fuss.

This babyganics is also a mineral based, provides both UVA + UVB protection (as do all of these recommendations) and is in that simply spray format. They do have lotions and sticks as well. So if you need a variety of options, it is a great brand to stick with.

Can Your Baby Overheat In The Hot Weather?

You know, this is a very important question. Yes, babies are more likely to overheat than adults. If you suspect your baby may be dehydrated, call your doctor for more information on what to do.

In general, on a hot day, a baby may breastfeed or take extra formula throughout the day. But, studies show that this should be enough. You should stick with exclusively breastfeeding or giving an extra bottle of formula if your baby is under 6 months old. This is preferable to giving water in a bottle to help your little one cool down.

If that is not enough to cool down your baby, try putting a luke warm cloth on their body and forehead.

If you are worried your baby is overheating, call your doctor, they will help you figure out what is best for you and your baby.

What If My Infant Gets A Sunburn?

Sunburns typically don’t show up until hours after the sun has done it’s damage.

According to Seattle Children’s Hospital, most sunburns will be first degree burns that turn the skin pink or red. But, keep in mind, it is possible to get a second or even third degree burn in the sun. You would recognize these by blisters that can cause scarring.

Make sure to call your doctor if your baby has a sunburn and is irritable in any way. While mild sunburns may be managed at home, get it checked out if you have any doubts or worries.

Can Infants Wear Sunscreen TL/DR

Now you know – while sunscreen is not the recommended top choice for sunscreen protection for a little one under 6 months, it has it’s time and place.

Opt for shade and chose protective clothing first.

It is also important to note, that babies cannot cool themselves down as much as adults. So they may need an extra nursing session or bottle on a hot day.

If you do choose sunscreen, look for one with zinc or titanium dioxide. To learn more about sunscreen safety, there is a great podcast on the Pregnancy to Parenting Podcast where Elizabeth Joy interviews Liz Wolfe a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, about what makes a safe sunscreen for kids. I found it very informative and hope you will too!

Enjoy your outdoor summer!

Suzzie

Citations

“Sun Safety: Information for Parents about Sunburn & Sunscreen.” HealthyChildren.Org, http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx. Accessed 30 May 2024.

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, http://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun. Accessed 30 May 2024.

Venosa, Ali. “Bringing up a Sun-Safe Baby.” The Skin Cancer Foundation, 30 Mar. 2022, http://www.skincancer.org/blog/bringing-up-a-sun-safe-baby/.

Mailhot, Geneviève, and John H. White. “Vitamin D and Immunity in Infants and Children.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 27 Apr. 2020, http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/5/1233.

Sharun, Khan, et al. “Covid-19 and Sunlight: Impact on SARS-COV-2 Transmissibility, Morbidity, and Mortality.” Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012), U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2021, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8164734/.

Meena P;Dabas A;Shah D;Malhotra RK;Madhu SV;Gupta P; “Sunlight Exposure and Vitamin D Status in Breastfed Infants.” Indian Pediatrics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28031546/. Accessed 30 May 2024.

Sunscreens, EWG’s Guide to. “The Trouble with Ingredients in Sunscreens: EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens.” The Trouble with Ingredients in Sunscreens | EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens, http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/. Accessed 30 May 2024.

Paller, Amy. “New Insights About Infant and Toddler Skin: Implications for Sun Protection .” Publications.Aap.Org, publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/128/1/92/30304/New-Insights-About-Infant-and-Toddler-Skin. Accessed 30 May 2024.

Edney, Jessica M, et al. “A Systematic Review of Hot Weather Impacts on Infant Feeding Practices in Low-and Middle-Income Countries.” Frontiers in Pediatrics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 6 Sept. 2022, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9485728/.