Staying in the shade is the safest course of action, but if you must use sunscreen, check out these details first.
When it comes to caring for a baby in summer, sunny days can be stressful. You want your child to enjoy the fresh air and light.
What you don’t want however, is a baby wailing with a terrible sunburn, something that can take hold quickly with young skin.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double a person’s chance of developing skin cancer, later in life.
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What to do? When it comes to infants, keeping them in the shade and out of the sun is the best course of action, experts say. Dress your baby in light-weight, long-sleeved pants and shirts and a wide-brimmed hat, to keep the sun off. And if you can get them to tolerate a tiny pair of sunglasses, even better.
When it comes to sunscreen, here’s the deal. Dermatologists recommend that you limit its use on infants under 6 months of age. If you have no other option, use a minimal amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and go for those containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as these are less likely to irritate your child’s skin.
And then, enjoy your day out and remember to take breaks from the heat. For more on child sun protection, talk to your doctor and click here.
