Sun protection for babies
 

Protecting your Newborn from the Sun

Keep your newborns indoors

Many parents are concerned about their baby and the need for sun protection, and rightfully so. Babies have a much thinner skin compared to adults and even older children, and do not yet have fully developed defense mechanisms, making them very sensitive and vulnerable to damage from UV rays.

During the first 6 months, you should severely restrict your newborn´s exposure to the sun. A newborn has extremely sensitive skin, and can get a second degree burn from exposure to strong sunlight in a very short amount of time. 15 minutes is often enough to cause burning, which can be extremely painful for your baby. There is also concern that a newborn may not be able to metabolize the many chemicals in the sunscreens that the body absorbs through the skin, and as such, simple avoidance is recommended.

Protecting your baby from UV exposure

If you must take your newborn out for extended periods of time, make sure that they are properly protected. Hats, umbrellas, sunglasses, and clothing that properly covers the baby is very important. If your baby is older than 6 months, find a sunscreen that is formulated for babies, as they tend to have less irritating ingredients in them. A good idea is to test a small dose on your child´s skin to ensure that the sunscreen does not irritate your baby´s skin. Remember that 10am to 4pm are when the sun´s rays are at its strongest; if you are taking your babies out for a significant amount of time, try to avoid these peak hours.

Baby Skin care:



See Also:

 
     
BabySkinCare.com © 2012. All rights reserved.