Babies Sun Exposure

Too much sun exposure can lead to burns and long-term effects, but exposure to sunlight can sometimes be fantastic for adults. However, is the same true for your little one and the sun?

Well, the answer is, in one instance, the right balance of sunlight exposure and shade depends on your baby’s age. In the second instance, the protective measures you take and even factors like the weather.

Fortunately, with the correct facts and steps, you and your little one can enjoy sun time’s incredible benefits while protecting their delicate skin.

So, when is the ideal sun time for newborn babies?

Newborn babies are treasures. So keeping them safe as they adjust to a new world would be best.

So, how much sun exposure is suitable for a newborn?

In fact, during the first few months of their life, less is more when it comes to babies and the sun. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies younger than six months be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

While sun exposure can benefit older babies and children, too much early exposure can cause uncomfortable burns to a baby’s sensitive skin. In some cases, too much sun in early infancy can even increase a baby’s long-term risk of skin cancer.

Once your baby is over six months, you can begin exposing your child to direct sunlight more frequently. However, to maximize the potential benefits of sunshine time while avoiding the risks, be intentional when deciding when and how long to play in the sun. Taking precautions whenever possible is always a bright idea for the sun.

Things to consider when choosing your little one’s sun time

Though your growing baby can be incredibly strong, the sun’s strength is also an important measure of how much sun exposure your little one can take.

Several factors can affect the sun’s strength on any given day. According to the American Cancer Society, the potency of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays may be affected by the following:

Weather – Cloud coverage may reduce UV exposure compared to a clear day, but babies (and adults) can still sunburn on a cloudy day.
Time of day – Studies have shown that the sun’s UV rays are most potent during the middle of the day, typically between 10 am–4 pm. Therefore, it’s usually best to play outside when the sun is lower in the sky, such as in the morning or late afternoon.
Spring and summer- Spring and summer can mean a higher risk of exposure to harmful UV radiation. Taking precautions on sunny days in fall and winter is still essential.
Latitude – UV exposure tends to lessen the farther you live from the equator. So if you live in Ecuador, you’ll want to provide more sun protection for your baby than in Canada.
Altitude – Living at a higher elevation from sea level can also increase your risk of UV exposure.
The reflectiveness of nearby surfaces like glass windows, water, etc.– If you spend time around more reflective surfaces, they can reflect UV rays back towards you, exposing you to more harmful rays.

One helpful way to check the sun’s strength is to check your local UV index, usually found in your favorite weather app or forecast.

The UV index is designed to help you check the intensity of sunlight in your area on a particular day on a scale from 1 to 11+, and a lower end means you need less sun protection. At the same time, numbers in the medium-to-high range indicate you should use more excellent sun protection or rather stay indoors.

How to protect your little one from too much sun

Once your baby is old enough, you might gladly anticipate days of outdoor activities. However, before you and your little one step out, it’s essential to know the precautions you should take. You can’t go wrong with some easy, breezy fun in the sun if you take plenty of protection. Therefore, to enjoy time outside with your little treasure, you can try sun safety tips to protect their sensitive skin.

Use shade to limit time in the sun.

One easy way to limit harmful UV exposure is by spending less time in direct sunlight. Try choosing shorter outdoor activities with your little one, such as a fifteen-minute walk instead of a two-hour stroll.

For more prolonged activities like a day at the beach, you can limit UV exposure by retreating to shade. A patch of shade can help protect your baby and you from UV rays. It can also give you a more excellent place to relax on a hot day. Therefore, you can use shade from trees and buildings or create your own with more common beach essentials like a beach umbrella or a shade tent.

Protect their delicate skin with clothes and hats.

Both sun hats and full-coverage clothing can help protect your little one from the uncomfortable effects of the scorching sun. For a baby on the move, you can protect their skin from harmful sun exposure with full-coverage clothing.

Protect their bright eyes with sunglasses.

Protect your eyes with killer shades, and give your baby extra style and eye protection with a pair of little sunglasses. Sunglasses can help to protect a baby’s eyes and the sensitive skin around those eyes from harmful UV rays. Bonus points, wearing sunglasses early on and throughout their life can help keep your baby’s eyes healthy and even help prevent eye issues later in life like macular degeneration.

Don’t forget to use sunscreen to keep your little one burn-free

The American Cancer Society recommends using SPF 30 to protect the skin from painful sunburns. Baby-safe sunscreens can be beneficial in providing sun protection. Related research suggests that you can level up your little one’s sunscreen game and make it even more effective by:

Applying sunscreen for at least 30 minutes before you take your little one out into the sun.
Re-applying every two hours.
Making sure to cover every area of skin exposed to the sun. Smooth the sunscreen under the edge of the baby’s clothing to achieve full coverage and avoid surprise sunburns.

Benefits of Sun Exposure for Babies

Every parent wants to approach newborn sun exposure with knowledge about protecting their precious treasures from uncomfortable sunburns and other side effects of too much sun.

Once your child is old enough to enjoy outdoor fun, take the proper precautions, as sun exposure can be beneficial.

Therefore, how much can sun exposure benefit babies and children?

More research is needed on the benefits as a whole. However, one study suggests that less than thirty minutes of afternoon sunlight exposure every week could help boost your baby’s ability to synthesize vitamin D. However, experts caution that sunlight can never replace the vitamin D your baby should get from their daily diet. But, generally, studies like this one agree that some level of sun exposure can go a long way for babies.

Furthermore, appropriate sun exposure levels can offer mental and physical benefits for children older than six months. According to some studies, exposure to UV rays can help foster a feeling of well-being and encourage regular circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycles).

Tips on how to enjoy fun in the sun with your little one

Enjoying the sun together can also be an opportunity to break from the routine and bond with your baby. But where should you start?

Here are some fun ideas to try with your baby:

Toss (or roll) a ball around outside your home.
Take a stroll in the neighborhood, stopping to talk about colors, plants, and anything else that interests your little treasure.
Play with toys or lay a blanket on the grass and have a picnic.
Take your little ones to the playground and let them explore.
Set up a baby pool in the backyard for some water play.
Take a visit to the nearby beach or lake and spend time relaxing and playing in the sand.
Do some gardening with your little one and introduce them to different plants and flowers.
Visit a local zoo or aquarium and show your baby different animals.
Go on a hike or nature walk with your baby in a carrier or a sturdy stroller.
Let your baby explore and play with some outdoor sensory toys or take a bubble bath outside.

As I wrap up this article, I hope these tips have been helpful, especially for those expecting or welcoming a new addition into their family. Babies are a bundle of joy, energy, and wonder. While raising them may be tricky, the joys far outweigh the challenges.

Happy parenting, and thanks for being here!

Sources:

How do I protect myself from ultraviolet (UV) rays? American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/uv-protection.html

Jindal, A. K., Gupta, A., Vinay, K., & Bishnoi, A. (2020). Sun Exposure in Children: Balancing the Benefits and Harms. Indian dermatology online journal, 11(1), 94–98. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_206_19

Sweet, J. (2019, February 26). 7 tips to stop macular degeneration. Healthline. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/7-tips-for-macular-degeneration-to-know-before-you-go-on-vacation

True or false: Dark-skinned people don’t need sunscreen. Winchester Hospital. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=157004#:~:text=Health%20experts%20advise%20everyone%2C%20regardless,spots%20and%20wrinkles%E2%80%94and%20cancer%20.

Hartstein LE, Behn CD, Akacem LD, Stack N, Wright KP, & LeBourgeois MK. (2022, January 8). High sensitivity of melatonin suppression response to evening light in preschool-aged children. Journal of pineal research. Retrieved June 8, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34997782/