How Best To Protect Your Baby From The Sun

A baby’s skin is thin, delicate, very sensitive and can burn easily. Babies are vulnerable to sun damage because they haven’t yet developed melanin, the natural skin pigment that gives us sun protection. Sunburn or sun damage in babies and young children can increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

Cancer Council Australia recommends that babies under 12 months are kept away from direct sunlight when UV levels are 3 or above. 

UV levels are usually highest in the middle of the day, between 10am and 3pm. Even on a cool or cloudy day, UV levels can get to 3 or above.

Anyone that’s grown up in Australia will know the the good old ‘Slip! Slop! Slap!’ mantra which has expanded to ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide!’ and is important for the whole family.

• Covering up as much as possible with protective clothing or wraps (Slip)
• Wearing a broad-brimmed hat that covers the face, neck and ears (Slap) 
• Provide shade or stay in the shade (Seek)
• Wearing sunglasses (Slide).

Widespread use of sunscreen (Slop) isn’t recommended in babies under 6 months old. For babies under 6 months old, sun protection with clothing, hats and shade are the best protection and reserve sunscreen for small areas of the face and body.

What are the different types of sunscreen?

There are two types of sunscreens – chemical and physical.

Chemical (or organic) sunscreens absorb or scatter UV rays to stop it from reaching the skin. Ingredients in chemical sunscreens are more likely than physical sunscreens to cause allergy or irritation. They are usually transparent, non-sticky and don’t leave a white residue.

Most people are familiar with chemical sunscreens – they dominate the sun care section in supermarkets and pharmacies.

Physical (or mineral) sunscreens have mineral filters (titanium dioxide or zinc dioxide) that deflect UV rays away from the skin. They aren’t absorbed into the skin but instead sit on top of the skin. That’s why they leave a white residue but this will easily wash off.

Physical sunscreens are less irritating than chemical sunscreens so are ideal for babies and children.

Some brands of sunscreen contain both chemical and mineral ingredients.

Which brand of sunscreen is best for babies?

Babies under 6 months old absorb skincare products more easily than older children and adults, so it’s important to choose a gentle sunscreen.

Look for a sunscreen brand that is:

• Dermatologically tested or hypoallergenic (these are gentler on the skin)
• SPF30+ or higher
• Broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB)
• Water resistant.

Take some time to read the fine print and ingredients list because some sunscreens are labelled ‘baby’ but caution against use in babies less than 6 months. There were only 2 products that specified use in babies under 6 months: Hamilton Baby & Toddler and Wotnot Natural Zinc Baby (from 3 months). 

Always patch test

All new skincare products should be tested on a small area of the body and/or face first to check how your baby will react, even for products labelled ‘natural’ or ‘organic’. Skin on the face is more sensitive than the body so testing on both areas is important. 

Some good areas to patch test are:

• Body: inside the elbow, behind the knees, inside the wrist
• Face: side of the neck, underside of the jaw, a corner of the forehead, behind the ear.

Apply a small amount of product to a small part of the body and observe the test area for about 24 hours. If your baby is allergic or irritated by the product then a red, dry, itchy or flaky rash may appear. If after 24 hours there is no reaction, do the same patch test on a small area of the face. If there is no reaction within 24-48 hours then it should be OK to use the sunscreen on larger areas.