By Stacy DeBroff

It is very important to protect your child from the sun’s strong rays, especially when he or she is a baby. The guide below provides tips on sunburn prevention as well as treatment in the event that your baby does get burned.

To protect your baby:

Do not use sunscreen or zinc oxide on an infant under six months old without checking with your pediatrician first, as it is generally too harsh to use on his sensitive skin.

 

Dress your infant in a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap that shadows his face and lightweight clothing that covers his entire body, but keep in mind that babies can burn through their clothes and cannot regulate their body temperatures. Keep your baby out of direct sunlight even if he's well-covered.

At the beach place your baby under an umbrella or canopy, away from direct sunlight and rays reflecting off white sand.

If possible, plan outdoor trips for early morning or late in the afternoon to avoid being outside when the sun's rays are strongest.

Use sunscreen and lip balm that has a protection factor (SPF) of fifteen or higher.

Test a small area of your child's skin to make sure he is not sensitive to it before covering him in it.

Avoid getting suntan lotion on your child's eyebrows (it can drip into the eyes when he sweats) and fingers (it can get in his mouth and eyes).

Apply suntan lotion thirty minutes before going out in the sun, as it can take that long to be absorbed by your child's skin and become effective.

Reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, especially after swimming.

Use protection even on hazy or cloudy days to prevent sunburns.

Make sure that the sunglasses you choose for your child fully block both UVA and UVB rays.

Do not judge your child's exposure to the sun based on whether his skin has become pink, as sunburn generally starts showing around three hours after exposure.

Watch your child carefully for signs of heat exhaustion: irritability, drowsiness, and flushed skin.

If you suspect your child has had too much sun, move him to the shade and give him plenty of fluids.

Contact your physician if you have any concerns, especially for symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, or blistering.

Be aware if your child is taking a medication that increases sensitivity to the sun. If you are unsure, ask either your pharmacist orpediatrician.

To avoid missing a spot when you apply sunscreen, put it on your child before you dress him.

Keep sunscreen not only in your beach or pool bag, but also in your car.

Have your child wear a T-shirt, even in the water, if you are at the beach during the hottest part of the day, if his skin is fair, or if you are in the sun for several hours.

Store aloe vera lotion in the fridge so it cools sunburns when it goes on.

Image From: Travel University

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