Sun care for Baby is important to think about and plan for. A baby’s skin is delicate, thinner and more vulnerable to being damaged by the sun. In fact, researchers say, that from the time an infant is born to 6 months old, their skin is very vulnerable. Babies do NOT need a tan!

One of the reasons their skin is so vulnerable to sun damage is because they haven’t yet developed all the melanin their body needs. The melanin is what your skin pigment is made of and it helps give you some protection from sun’s rays. Babies bodies are still developing, they aren’t done yet.

 

Infant Sun Care

Do NOT use sunscreen on infants under 6 months! Consult with your doctor about sunscreen and sun safety, with babies under 6 months old.

Sun burns on baby can quickly become an emergency. It can cause dehydration, high fever, chills, infections and heatstroke. Not to mention increasing their chances for problems with skin cancer. Babies are more likely to die from a sun/heat medical emergency than older children and adults.

Babies should be sheltered from being in the hot sun as much as possible. Their delicate new skin needs to be protected from the harsh rays. Stay in the shade as much as possible and cover baby with light clothing that covers arms and legs (careful baby doesn’t overheat). Using a big brimmed hat is helpful as well in shielding them from the sun.

Sunglasses and Cars

Did you know there is melanin in your eyes, too? Just like the skin this isn’t fully developed in infants and their eyes should also be protected. Baby sunglasses that protect eyes from UV rays can be found in many places.

They can also be exposed to the sun through the car windows and be burned. UV shields for windows can help this problem. Come up with a system to help you remember you have baby in the back seat, so baby is never left in the heat by mistake. This can be an object that you put on the steering wheel, around your water bottle, or on the front seat that gives you a visual cue to help you remember.

When to use sunscreen

It is illegal for companies to market sunscreen to or for children under 6 months of age. If you feel you need to use a sunscreen consult with your doctor before doing so.

So, 6 months is the magic number for sunscreen. Put sunscreen on all areas that are exposed to the sun and remember to re-apply as you are in the sun, swimming or sweating. It is a good idea to do a test area on your child like the inside of their wrist to make sure they aren’t going to have a negative reaction to something in it.

There are a lot of chemicals in sunscreens to be wary of. Remember that a baby’s skin is still delicate and thinner than an adults. Many sunscreens are formulated to go deep into the layers of skin, so be sure to get sunscreen that is safe for babies and kids. Sunscreen made for babies and kids often are formulated differently and have less chemicals.

I recommend avoiding all spray on sunscreens, because they are laden with chemicals that aren’t good for anyone, especially baby. Those chemicals get inhaled when they are sprayed. Also, many sunscreens contain hormone disrupting chemicals, these chemicals mimic or block hormones.

Safe Sunscreen

My criteria for the sunscreen I list here are: hormone disrupting chemicals free, non-nano zinc, and gluten free. * Some are certified gluten free, but being certified gluten free doesn’t mean it is free of other harmful chemicals. (Just a reminder.) Also, some companies with safe sunscreens also make unsafe products. Check the ingredients to be sure you are getting the best for your child.

 

Babo Botanicals

This sunscreen does contain a tree nut, Shea butter, but is free of peanuts, almonds and walnuts. It also doesn’t have any gluten, dairy, or soy! There are no SLS, Sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, sodium chloride, formaldehyde, MEA, DEA or TEA. *They do not have a rating by EWG, that I could find.

• Broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays
• Non-nano zinc oxide (20%)
• Vegan – cruelty free, B corp certified
• Water resistant and reef safe
• No hormone disrupting chemicals
• Free of gluten, dairy and soy
• Synthetic fragrance free

 

All Good

This reef safe sunscreen is also great for kids! Highly rated by EWG.

• Non-nano Zinc (16%)
• UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection
• Water resistant and reef safe
• No hormone disrupting chemicals
• Gluten free

Thinkbaby

This Mom’s Choice award winner has a lot going for it. Highly rated at EWG.

• Non-nano Zinc (Average particle size>100 micron)
• UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection
• Water resistant and reef safe
• No hormone disrupting chemicals
• Paraben, phthalates, PABA and 1,4 dioxane free
• Gluten free (3rd party verified)
• No animal testing-Leaping Bunny Member
• Made in the USA

Baby Bum

This product is made by SunBum. I have been disappointed in other products in their line, (because while they are reef safe, they still contain hdcs), but they have done a fantastic job with their baby products! It looks like Sun Bum hasn’t been rated at EWG since 2016. It does have a great rating, though.

• Non-nano Zinc (20%)
• UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection
• Water resistant and reef safe
• No hormone disrupting chemicals
• Gluten free
• Fragrance Free, Sulfate Free, Dye Free, Silicone Free
• Petroleum Free, Talc Free, Formaldehyde Donor Free, Glycol Free, Mineral Oil Free
• Propylene Glycol Free and Retinyl Palmitate Free
• Vegan- cruelty free

Badger

Great ingredients, but they recommend re-applying every 40 minutes. Highly rated by EWG.

• Non-nano Zinc (18.75%)
• UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection
• Water resistant and reef safe
• No hormone disrupting chemicals
• Gluten free
• Non-GMO certified by NSF to NSF Non-GMO True North
• 98% organic ingredients
• Cruelty free- Leaping Bunny

Adorable Baby

Made from all organic products. Highly rated by EWG.

• Non-nano Zinc (24.7%)
• UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection
• Water resistant and reef safe
• No hormone disrupting chemicals
• Gluten free (*verified through e-mail)

More Sunscreen Info.

I have written a few posts about sunscreen and the harmful chemicals in them and why they are harmful. As well as what other sunscreens are without these chemicals and are gluten free. I also write about why gluten free sunscreen is important to me. Check them out here: Harmful Chemicals in Sunscreen and Safe Sunscreens 2019- Hormone Free and Gluten Free