Protecting your baby from the sun (0-12 months)

Children love being outdoors during the summer months, but it is so important to teach them sun safety from a young age. This will ensure they continue healthy habits of protecting themselves from the harmful rays as they get older, reducing their risk of early aging and skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology states that 80% of our lifetime exposure to the sun happens before the age of 18 years, thereby making it very important to teach our children sun safety from an early age. In addition, you also are protecting your child from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Most mainstream sunscreen’s say to consult your doctor to use on children under six months of age, and sometimes even one year. So what is a parent to do? Well, your child’s best protection is limited or no sun exposure during the peak times when the sun’s rays have the most UV-ultraviolet light. However, many children’s awake and fun times are during this time, so follow these quick and easy tips as a reminder to keep your baby safe:

- Keep your child well hydrated with a bottle of water or frequent nursing’s throughout the day;

- Always have a hat on your baby. If they won’t keep a hat on, consider a different style of hat, or using a canopy or sun shade where the baby is sitting, playing or sleeping outdoors;

- Dress your baby in UV clothing in addition to keeping them in the shade

- If you need a Natural Sun Protection Cream that is safe for baby consider our Substance Natural Sun Care Creme for baby as an option

Be Safe and have fun this summer!