Sun protection tips for babies and children

THE school holidays are in full swing, and children will want to play outdoors, in the garden and swimming pool.

While this is an exciting time to be a child, parents are encouraged to implement measures to protect their bundles of joy from the scorching summer temperatures and high levels of UV.

ALSO READ: 5 tips to protect your skin this summer

Over-exposure to sunshine is a risk for everyone, and children especially need to be protected from the sun’s ultraviolet rays as their skin is still tender and delicate.

Here are a few simple and cost-effective ways to keep your little one sunburn-free:

• Babies under the age of six months should be kept out of direct sunlight. Always sit in a shady spot, for example, under a tree, umbrella, or place your baby in a stroller/pram with a canopy
• For babies over 6 months and older children, wide-brimmed hats are ideal to shade their faces and necks, paired with lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs to prevent sunburn
• While sunscreen is great for blocking the sun’s UV rays, always read the label to ensure it is water resistant, and that it says ‘broad spectrum’. Reapply if not water resistant
• Babies’ skin can be extra sensitive and delicate, making it easily irritated. Parents should consider using sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as these ingredients do not usually irritate delicate skin – use sunscreen on hands and face as they cannot be easily shaded
• For older children, apply a sun lotion with SPF15 or higher. Apply the lotion 15 to 30 minutes before leaving the house as it needs time to be absorbed by the skin
• Protect your children from sun exposure when travelling in the car, glass does not block out the sun’s rays whether it is sunny or cloudy outside
• While you might be interested in ‘two for one deals’, avoid purchasing the ‘bug and sun’ products. Insect repellent is not good for children who are under two months old. Sun lotion needs to be reapplied every two to three hours, therefore reapplying the two-in-one products can result in an excessive amount of insect repellent on the skin, which may lead to irritation
• Eye protection is just as vital as skin protection. Teach your children to get comfortable wearing sunglasses. For the sunglasses to be effective, they need to offer ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection.

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