ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BABY SUNSCREEN

Babies have delicate skin that is far more vulnerable to sun damage than older children and adults. There are a few reasons for this extra sensitivity:

Lack of melanin. When babies are born, their skin doesn’t have enough melanin to protect against sun exposure. Melanin is the pigmentation that gives skin its colour, and it also offers a slight amount of natural protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Without enough melanin, babies need a higher degree of sun protection.

Slow regeneration process. In addition to lacking melanin, babies haven’t fully developed other protective mechanisms, including the skin’s regeneration process. So, if sun damage does occur, their bodies can’t regenerate skin cells like older kids and adults. And, it takes just one bad sunburn in childhood to double the chances of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

No direct sunlight. In general, experts advise limiting the amount of sun exposure in babies and children up to the age of 3. In fact, babies under 6 months shouldn’t have any direct sunlight at all, and those from 6 months to 1 year should have very little sun exposure. When exposed to the sun, babies and young children require more sun protection than older children and adults.

With all this in mind, babies require a different approach to sun protection. A proper sunscreen specifically designed for your baby’s vulnerable and sensitive skin will add the layer of protection they need.

Although sun protection is so important to babies and their delicate skin, you should wait to use sunscreen until your little one is at least 6 months old. This isn’t because sunscreen is dangerous for them – your baby should simply stay out of the sun completely until their skin is ready for sun exposure of any kind. Therefore, you can think of baby sun protection in two stages: before 6 months and after.
 
BABIES UNDER 6 MONTHS

Instead of using sunscreen in babies under 6 months, it’s best to keep them out of the sun, especially direct sunlight. To protect their skin, dress your baby in light coloured and lightweight clothing and use UV-resistant sunshades in the car, on the carrier, and on the pram. There is one caveat to this rule: If your baby must be exposed to direct sunlight for a little bit, you can use a small amount of SPF 50+ baby sunscreen. 

BABIES OLDER THAN 6 MONTHS

Once your baby hits 6 months they can be exposed to limited amounts of the sun. During any form of exposure ensure they are wearing baby-specific sunscreen with at least SPF 50. Try NIVEA Sun Babies & Sensitive Protect SPF 50+ Sun Spray.

In theory, applying baby sunscreen is as straightforward as applying adult sunscreen – but you have a potentially wriggly baby to deal with! The goal is to apply sunscreen thoroughly and evenly to any exposed areas of the skin. To help you along the way, here are a few tips:

 

Focus on exposed skin: Spread a liberal amount of baby sunscreen in the areas where the skin is exposed. Typically, this will include the face, ears, neck, and the backs of the hands. But in the summer, you might need to cover more areas, including your little one’s arms, legs, and feet.

Get creative: Not all babies will sit still and let you apply sunscreen thoroughly! Sometimes, you might need to get a little creative and make a game out of it. Or, try a different application approach, such as NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect SPF 50+ Roll On, which makes application a lot easier for you and fun for your child!

 

Have fun: Thanks to NIVEA Sun’s immediate protection formulas, no waiting is necessary!

 

HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO APPLY SUNSCREEN TO YOUR BABY?

Because the sunscreen’s protection gradually fades through normal activity (like sweating, rubbing, etc.), it’s important to reapply at least every two hours. If your little one is swimming or playing in the water, reapply more often, especially after they leave the water and their skin starts to dry. It’s helpful to know that reapplying sunscreen doesn’t enhance its protection; rather, it simply maintains the existing protection, which is why you’ll need to reapply often.

 

HOW TO REMOVE BABY SUNSCREEN

Baby sunscreen that’s dermatologically proven is safe for your little one, so there’s no harm in letting it sit on your child’s skin for the day. Upon returning home, you can bathe your baby as usual, either using a damp cloth to wipe their skin, with a sponge bath, or in an infant tub.

Baby sunscreen is a necessary part of your little one’s daily routine – at least once they reach 6 months. If you can, it’s best to completely avoid any sun exposure for babies under 6 months, but older babies can enjoy limited sunlight and wear sunscreen.

What baby sunscreen is best? Look for baby-specific sunscreens that are dermatologically proven. These are typically broad-spectrum and water-resistant with a higher SPF. Bonus if they’re ocean-friendly and suitable for eczema-prone skin like NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect products! What to avoid in baby sunscreen includes any fragrances or preservatives that could irritate sensitive skin.

Applying baby sunscreen is simple in theory but can be a challenge with a wriggly baby! The end goal is to apply a layer of sunscreen to all exposed skin thoroughly and evenly. Try NIVEA Sun Babies &  Kids Sensitive Protect SPF 50+ Roll On for an easier application method.

All in all, baby sunscreen is made specifically for babies because they need added sun protection that’s gentle on their skin. Keep your baby safe and shaded until their skin is ready to enjoy the sunshine safely!