The Importance of
Baby Sun Protection
When should baby sun protection routine be initiated? You probably already know that babies are in a dynamic state of growth and are therefore more vulnerable to environmental threats than adults. Many vital functions such as immune system are not fully developed at birth, and any unsafe environments will interfere with their natural development.
Therefore sun protection should begin in infancy and continue throughout our life.
Babies Need Extra Preventive Measure
A baby's skin is thinner and more sensitive than adults, so they need extra protection from the sun. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that frequent sun exposure and sunburn in childhood set the stage for higher rates of skin cancer later in life. Protecting the skin from the sun during childhood is a vital step in reducing cancer risk.
Now, more than ever, you need to protect your babies against ultraviolet radiation all year round, not just in the summer. Also sun protection is not necessary confined to the beach or at the swimming pool but applies to all outdoor settings. In fact your baby gets countless little doses of UV radiation that you may not realize. While sitting in the stroller! Even in the back seat of the car! And they all add up.
Hence a thorough baby sun protection regime is essential.
Keep Babies Away from Unnecessary Sun Exposure!
Keep unprotected babies and toddlers out of the sun during peak hours of 10am to 2pm. Where possible babies under one year old should never be exposed to direct sunlight. In fact a baby cannot tell you if she is too hot or the sun is too bright! Babies cannot physically move themselves out of the sunlight. Your baby may begin to cry and you won't know whether she is tired, hungry or hot?
Avoiding direct sun exposure is the best form of baby sun protection.
Use Sun Protective Clothings!
Make sure babies are cover-up with appropriate clothes. A long-sleeve shirt and pants are the best to protect the skin. Choose clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that you cannot see through when held up to the light. Dark colours provide better sun protection for your baby than light colours.
How to choose suitable sun protective clothing?
Use Sunscreen!
Sunscreen is not recommended to be used on babies below six months old. When needed sunscreen can be used to complement sun protective clothing for better baby sun protection.
- Choose a milky lotion or cream for toddlers and children. Other types may contain alcohol, which can be an irritant.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that shield out most of the UVB and UVA rays as indicated on the label. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be a minimum of 15.
- If your child has particularly sensitive skin, test for an allergic reaction first before using the sunscreen all over the child. Apply it to a small patch of skin on the inner forearm for several days running. If the skin turns red or otherwise reacts, change to another products.
- Do not use heavily scented sunscreens to avoid attracting insects to your child
Bear in mind that sunscreens are not intended to lengthen the time spent in the sun but to increase protection during unavoidable exposure.
And as you are thinking about baby sun protection, actually less sun a better bet than sunscreen.
How to select sunscreen and use effectively.
Take a QUIZ! You do not have to worry about the sun on a cloudy day. TRUE or FALSE
The answer is FALSE. Clouds do block the sunlight. But clouds do not block the ultraviolet rays which cause sunburns and other damage to the skin. Looks can be deceiving.
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