Choose the Right Sunscreen for your Baby

by Mom Busywitty momma that reviews

Baby skin is delicate and thinner as compared to adult skin which makes it more permeable and prone to dryness. And that’s why it’s important to protect your baby’s skin from the sun’s harmful rays and use natural baby products. While sunlight is essential for babies, longterm exposure without protection can be harmful and cause sunburn. Every parent wants the best for their baby and will go to great lengths to ensure just that. While you may check the labels of products you use for your baby such as baby body lotion to ensure it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals such as mineral oil, the same diligence should be done when choosing a sunscreen for your baby.

Choose the Right Sunscreen for your Baby

If your baby is younger than 6 months, it’s best to keep them out of the sun unless your doctor has advised you. Babies who are 6 months or older should use protection before spending time in the sun. Here’s a helpful guide to help you choose the right sunscreen for babies.

1. Choose mineral-based sunscreens

Mineral-based sunscreen or physical sunscreens are better than chemical sunscreens when it comes to newborn baby care for a number of reasons.

Mineral-based sunscreens sit on top of the skin and create a physical barrier which block and deflect UV rays.

Mineral-based sunscreens are also made of naturally occurring minerals Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide which do not get absorbed in the body, unlike chemical-based sunscreens.

When applying the sunscreen on your baby, ensure that it doesn’t get into your baby’s eyes and discontinue usage if skin irritation occurs.

2. Go for a broad-spectrum sunscreen

Too much exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays can cause sunburn. Check the label to make sure the sunscreen provided protection from UV-B and UV-A rays of the sun. Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection from both.

3. Use a sunscreen that’s SPF 50 and water-resistant

SPF or sun protection factor measures how well sunscreens protect against sun’s UV-B rays. When buying a sunscreen, choose one that offers SPF 50 and not greater than that. If you are planning on splashing around with your little one in a swimming pool or on a beach then look for natural ingredients like shea butter which make the sunscreen water-resistant. This will ensure your baby is protected even when they are in the water.

4. Test the sunscreen

Baby skin is delicate and it is always advisable to do a patch test of baby care products before applying them. Test the sunscreen on a small patch of your baby’s skin one day before applying it liberally to ensure your little one’s skin doesn’t react to it. With mineral-based sunscreens, always apply them 15 minutes before stepping out to ensure adequate protection.

5. Ingredients to look out for in a sunscreen

Chemical sunscreen often contains ingredients which have been known to get absorbed through the skin and into the blood and can disrupt hormones. When buying a sunscreen, always check the label lookout for ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone and octinoxate.

6. Tips to keep your baby protected from the sun

Apart from choosing the right sunscreen, here are some tips which you must follow to keep your baby comfortable.

- Avoid stepping out during the hottest hour of the day, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.

- Dress your baby in light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes made from natural fabrics such as cotton.
- Cover your baby’s head with a hat and protect their eyes with baby sunglasses.
- Keep your baby hydrated by giving them boiled, cooled water and fruits and vegetables rich in water content such as watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes etc.