Sunscreen
Keeping your kids safe from the harmful effects of the sun is very important. Remember that most people get 80 percent of their lifetime exposure to the sun before age eighteen. Increased exposure means increased risk of skin cancer, so it is never too soon to start limiting that exposure.
In addition to using sunscreen, sun safety can include keeping your child covered up with light, loose-fitting clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. It's also best to avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day, between about 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
When to Start Using Sunscreen
Younger children often are forgotten when the family puts on sunscreen, because the parents think it isn't necessary or just not appropriate for infants. In fact, the AAP recommends that you start using a sunscreen on your infant once he is six months old, and that you apply it at least thirty minutes before you take him outside. You should then reapply it about every two hours, or sooner if your child was in the water.
How long can an infant stay in the sun?
The easy answer is “not long.” A young child is not able to cool his body easily, so he can quickly get overheated. If your baby seems red, irritable, or sleepy after even a few minutes in the sun, move him into the shade.
The SPF, or sun protection factor, of sunscreen refers to how much protection it gives from the sun. The higher the SPF, the more protection the sunscreen offers. In general, you should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on your infant.
What about Younger Infants?
Just because you don't start using sunscreen until age six months doesn't mean that protecting your younger infant isn't important. Sun exposure can be even more harmful for younger infants than for older ones, and the usual recommendation is to just keep them out of the sun. If you must have your younger infant out in the sun and can't keep him covered up, you can still apply sunscreen to his skin. Just use small amounts and only apply it to small areas that are exposed to the sun.
