The sun is out and the weather is warm…what parent doesn’t want their young children to go outside and play? However, one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person’s risk of developing melanoma–the most serious form of skin cancer. To minimize the risk of developing skin cancer, it is critical for parents to protect their infants from the sun’s UV rays and teach their children sun care at an early age before they step outside their homes. Here are some tips to keep your infants and children safe in the sun:
INFANTS UNDER SIX MONTHS
- Keep your baby in the shade. If no shade can be found, create one for your baby using an umbrella, canopy, or the hood of a stroller.
- Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing. Dress your baby in a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Cover your baby’s head with a wide-brimmed hat and shield their eyes with UV protective sunglasses.
- Minimize sunscreen use. A small amount of broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen can be used and should be reapplied every two hours. Sunscreens made with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate an infant’s skin.
- Make sure your baby drinks plenty of fluids and does not get overheated. Your baby should be taken indoors immediately if they get fussy, cry excessively, or if their exposed skin becomes red.
CHILDREN OVER SIX MONTHS
- Like adults, kids should wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating from exercise.
- For easy and effective application, use stick or spray sunscreens in addition to lotion sunscreens.
- Children should wear clothing that shields them from direct sunlight. This includes wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with lenses that have UV protection.
Practice these tips with your infants and children to protect them from the sun. They will thank you when they’re older for helping them stay healthy outdoors!