Considerations when applying sunscreen to babies

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Cao Thi Thanh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital. Dr. Thanh has worked for 25 years in the treatment of neonatal pediatric diseases.
“Should I put sunscreen on my newborn baby?” This is a question asked by many parents. According to pediatricians, it is not recommended to regularly use infant sunscreen because it is not suitable for young skin.
With babies, especially those younger than 6 months old, it's important to avoid exposing them to sunlight between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest.

1. Should you use sunscreen for babies?

According to pediatricians, the skin of babies is less mature than that of adults. So when sunscreen is applied to a newborn baby, he or she may be exposed to a greater amount of the chemicals in the sunscreen, increasing the risk of side effects.
To protect the skin, when taking the child outdoors or to the beach, the best way is to leave the child in the natural shade under a tree or umbrella.

2. How to protect babies from the sun without using infant sunscreen

Parents should consult with their pediatrician before using sunscreen on newborn babies as well as how to protect children from the sun.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents need to protect the skin and health of their children, especially babies when they are outdoors by wearing long clothes made of lightweight materials, Hat with brim to cover the neck for children to prevent sunburn, especially sensitive skin areas.
Avoid wearing clothes that are too thick to block the sun because babies sweat differently than adults, babies' bodies are not yet mature enough to cool themselves, so it's important to avoid letting them overheat.

See more: How to use sunscreen for children

3. If you don't use sunscreen for babies under 6 months, here are some tips to keep them safe when outdoors

Here are some things to keep in mind when taking babies under 6 months of age outdoors:
Keep them in the shade as much as possible. Make sure your child is covered with clothing to protect his or her sensitive skin. If the clothing is too thin to see the skin, it's not enough to protect the baby's skin. Make sure your child always wears a hat that covers enough. Consult your pediatrician before using any sunscreen on your newborn baby. Always keep a close eye on your baby to make sure he doesn't show any warning signs of sunburn or dehydration such as fussiness, redness, or crying a lot. If your child has a sunburn, get out of the sunburned area immediately and apply cold compresses to the burned skin. Give your baby formula or breast milk if he or she is out in the sun for more than a few minutes. Remember to store milk in a dedicated cooler to avoid spoilage. Applying sunscreen to babies needs to be considered because babies' skin is still very sensitive. Always keep your child in the shade and keep them out of the sun from 10 to 14 hours.

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Reference source: fda.gov