Infants And Sun Protection

Whenever uv levels are low protection from the sun is generally not required as a small amount of sunlight exposure is safe and healthy for infants.

Infants and sun protection.

General guideline for infants under 6 months. In addition to sun protection stay safe on hot days by making sure your baby does not get overheated and drinks plenty of fluids. Infants eyes absorb more harmful radiation than do adults. The free sunsmart app tells you sun protection times for your location and provides current uv levels.

Secondary objectives included determining if this patient population is at risk for infant sunburns and tanning beliefs among parents regarding sunscreen s efficacy in the prevention of skin cancers and limitations of. In fact experts recommend that you provide sun protection by means of clothing and shade. It is recommended that babies under 12 months are kept away from direct sunlight when uv levels reach 3 or above. Use sunscreen with at least spf 15 and uva and uvb broad spectrum protection every time your child goes outside.

Ideally infants should wear sunglasses or stay out of the sun to reduce the risk of cataracts in later life. Eye protection is as important as skin protection. Babies with actually darker skin likewise should be worried about unsafe uv radiation. It s especially important to avoid direct sun exposure and seek the shade during the sun s hours of greatest intensity between 10 am and 4 pm.

Cancer council victoria recommends that babies under 12 months are not exposed to direct sun during the daily sun protection times when the uv index is 3 or higher 2. Reapply every two hours and after swimming sweating or toweling off. For the best protection apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. However prolonged exposure to uv lights even when it is just low is not recommended for infants.

Minimize sunscreen use on children younger than 6 months old but use it when needed. In addition make sure your baby always wears a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses with uv protection. If your baby is fussy crying excessively or has redness on any exposed skin take him or her indoors immediately. How to protect your baby.

Get sunglasses that wrap around towards the ears to protect the sensitive skin of the eyelids. Because infants skin is so sensitive it s better in the first six months to shield them from the sun rather than use sunscreen. Infants and sun protection child skin is more slender than grown up skin and is all the more effectively sunburned. The primary objective of this study was to determine the sun protection behaviors that black and hispanic parents in miami florida employ in infants younger than 6 months.

Sun protection is important at every stage of life including infancy. Dress your baby in sun protective clothing such as a lightweight long sleeved shirt and pants.