Is it safe to take my newborn baby outside in the sun?
Sun exposure is damaging to the skin, causing premature aging (wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation problems, leathery skin). Sun exposure also increases the likelihood of dangerous conditions, such as skin cancer. Parents are right to worry about their baby and should be doing everything they can to protect their baby from over-exposure to the sun.
Babies under six months old should not be exposed to sunlight when the sun’s rays are at their peak, between 10 AM and 3 PM. Ultraviolet (UV) light is damaging for everyone, particularly for young infants, as their skin is fragile and thin. Even small amounts of sunlight can cause severe sunburns. Dehydration can also be a problem for babies, as their skin does not adjust to overheating by sweating as efficiently as adults. Parents should be ready with extra water or milk to feed their babies if they are outside.
What about sunscreens?
Sunscreens are one of the most effective and practical ways of mitigating sun damage. However, for young infants under the age of 6 months, we do not recommend the use of sunscreens. Although the components of sunscreens are tested for safety, they are not designed for babies who readily absorb these chemicals. Babies have fragile skin, and the chemicals in the sunscreen are thus more easily absorbed.
Babies also have a large surface area (of skin) in proportion to total volume, which means that they absorb a disproportionately large amount of chemicals from the sunscreen if appropriately applied. If clothing does not adequately cover the baby and a small amount of exposure is unavoidable, only use sunscreen on small surface areas like the face or the back of the hands.
Does this mean that I can’t take my baby out of the house?
Parents will need to take their newborns outside to visit friends and relatives and give their babies some fresh air. We recommend that parents try to avoid exposing their baby to sunlight from 10 AM to 3 PM. The mid-afternoon hours are when sunlight is at its strongest and can burn a baby’s delicate skin very quickly. If parents must take their baby outside during these hours, they should keep the baby in the shade as much as possible and well protected in long-sleeved clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. It is essential that parents carefully control the amount of exposure that the baby is exposed to.
Remember that the baby’s skin does more than look pretty. It is the largest organ and the first line of immune defense.