Sun safety

When the weather is warm and you and your baby or child are out, it is important to be aware that the sun can have adverse effects on your child’s health and that their skin can burn and damage easily.

Tips to keep you child safe in the sun

• Try and keep them in the shade, especially if your baby is younger than six months. It is best to keep them out of direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is strongest, but remember the sun can be strong outside these times too.
• If you go out when it is hot, attach a parasol or sunshade to your baby’s pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight. Do not cover your pram with a blanket or cloth as this can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
• Cover exposed parts of your child’s skin with sunscreen, even on cloudy or overcast days. Use a sunscreen that has a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 and is effective against UVA and UVB. Don’t forget to apply it to their shoulders, nose, ears, cheeks, and the tops of their feet. Reapply often throughout the day.
• Cover your child up in loose cotton clothes, such as an oversized T-shirt with sleeves.
• Get your child to wear a floppy hat with a wide brim that shades their face and neck.
• If your child is swimming or in a paddling pool, use a waterproof sunblock of factor 15 or above. Reapply after towelling.
• Keep your child hydrated