Can babies wear sunscreen
Sun safety precautions are extremely important for all children,
especially babies. It is recommended that , apart from regular application of
SPF50 , babies use other forms of sun protection such as not being exposed to
the sun during peak hours (generally 10am – 2pm), wearing a hat, full protective
clothing and being kept in the shade. But reflection can still burn, so
sunscreen is still essential.
Babies have highly sensitive skin and obviously it’s up to their
carer to keep them protected so it’s important to be prepared when going
outside in the sun.
Babies older under 1 year should use sunscreen liberally, ideally an
SPF50 version designed specifically for babies or toddlers. Do a patch test
24-48 hours prior to the day you want to be outside and watch for any
irritation.
Beyond one year children should be taught that sunscreen should be
worn together with a hat every time they go outside. A sensitive kids version
with SPF50 is also advisable and should be applied every 2 hours (or more if
swimming or sweating).
Kids love playing outside. For your sake, it’s much better for them
to tire themselves out in preparation for a good night’s sleep after a day out instead of being in pain
from a sunburn that could have been prevented!
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