Sunlight: How Can You Protect Your Baby Against its Ill Effects?

Even though babies are supposed to stay indoors, warmly cuddled in their mother’s bosoms, they may need to be taken out for regular check-ups to the doctor and other outdoor baby adventures.

Even though sunlight contains vitamin D which is essential to your child’s health, prolonged exposure to sunlight is harmful for your baby. This is mainly because sunlight contains ultraviolet light. UV light, as it is commonly called, is liable to cause damage to the baby’s health both in the short and longer run—such as increasing the risk of skin cancer. If your baby is pale skinned, the risks are even higher.

Even if you or spouse “tan easily” and have never had problems in the sun, do not risk sunburn with your baby whose skin is more delicate than yours.

There are two forms of common sun protection available for babies:

1. Sun creams to protect your baby’s exposed skin
   
   


2. Protective accessories and clothing to shield your baby

Sun Creams

There are special sun creams formulated especially for young healthy baby skin. Using an adult skin cream can result in irritation for your baby.

• Read the label to check if the cream offers maximum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
  
  


• No cream offers 100 percent protection for your baby’s skin, so it makes sense to keep them in the shade whenever possible.

Sun Dresses and Parasols

• T-shirts with long sleeves are easiest to dress your baby with and provide the best protection under the sun.
  
  


• Cover as much of your baby’s skin with comfortable-fitting clothes. Make sure the clothes you buy are made from closely-woven fabrics.
  
  


• Choose a nice colorful hat that covers your baby’s face, neck, and ears. Babies are most vulnerable and exposed in these parts.
  
  


• Window shades or tinting on the car’s windshield provides the extra protection babies need when traveling.
  
  


• There are also parasols and meshes available to protect babies in prams and buggies. The latter can also serve as cover from rain.