Sun Safety for Kids and Babies
Who needs sun protection? Everyone. Don’t think that darker skin tones are safe from the sun. Everyone can burn and certainly everyone gets sun damage. Here are some of our favorite tips and products to help keep your family sun safe as we head into the summer months.
Simple rules to protect your family from sunburns
Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Find shade under a tree, an umbrella, or the stroller canopy.
When possible, dress yourself and your children in cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body, such as lightweight cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats.
Select clothes made with a tight weave; they protect better than clothes with a looser weave. If you're not sure how tight a fabric's weave is, hold it up to see how much light shines through. The less light, the better. Or you can look for protective clothing labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF).
Wear a hat with an all-around 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears, and back of the neck.
Limit your sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm when UV rays are strongest.
Wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection. Look for youth-sized sunglasses with UV protection for your child.
Use sunscreen.
Make sure everyone in your family knows how to protect his or her skin and eyes. Remember to set a good example by practicing sun safety yourself.
(Read the full article on healthykids.org)
We turned to our friends at Good Housekeeping for their tested list of the best sunscreen for kids and babies and our favorite sun safe clothing is Coolibar. Great protection for the entire family. If you are planning an all day trip to the beach and need some portable shade, check out these tent options from Today.com
Don’t forget the importance of staying hydrated! Keep this tips in mind as you head out on all your warm weather adventures and have a safe and healthy summer!
