5 Ways To Keep Your Baby Safe In The Sun This Summer

My skin is that lovely shade of pale that goes from really white to really red after a very short amount of time in the sun. So, when I had three little kids who all seemed to sport the same pigment, I was naturally worried about sun care and protecting them in the summer.

Luckily, there are a lot of options for protecting your little vampire babies in the sun! Here are just a few of my favourite ways to keep them safe.
1. Cover them up with protective swimsuits

I’ve long been obsessed with adorable baby clothes like wee little summer hats and bathing suits! I also find that a lot of the safest ones are super adorable. I’ve had good luck with long sleeved bathing suits—and I keep my kids in them even as they’re getting older. Any type that covers the shoulders completely is great since it’s a prime burning area. But I especially love the ones that have long sleeves down to their wrists. And baby hats with super-wide brims do the double duty of looking ridiculously cute on babies and covering their faces and necks!

2. Avoid the hottest part of the day

The sun’s rays are hottest from around 10 am to 4 pm—so if possible, try to avoid the sun altogether during that part of the day. Of course, I know it’s easier said than done if you’re out at the beach. But I find that if you can at least grab some shade during those hours, it helps a lot. I like to schedule naptime early and go for a little siesta myself around this time.

3. Use a great sunscreen.

This is key! Applying sunscreen to wriggly little kids can be tough—but it’s an absolute must for babies over 6 months of age. (For under 6 months, speak with your doctor about options and stick to protective clothing and shade). I personally prefer the mineral sunscreens that use only zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB skin protection. I’ve used AVEENO® Baby products regularly and I’m a fan of their sunscreens, too. Their new SPF 50 mineral sunscreen is great because it’s free of all parabens, phthalates, dyes and fragrances, won’t sting if it gets into your little one’s eyes, and it also uses Active Naturals® Oat to help soothe babies’ skin. AVEENO® Baby is a great option for the sensitive-skinned babes out there!

4. Get a sun canopy

Sun canopies are those little half-tent or giant umbrella-type things you can pop up for some added shade when you’re at the beach, camping or even at a picnic. They come in really handy when your baby needs a nap, a shady place to eat or just a spot for some quiet time out of the sun. A lot of them are a snap to set-up, which is nice. I’ve had one for years—and they really are awesome for any sunny outing when you can’t find shade.

5. Keep them hydrated.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but babies can actually overheat pretty quickly—so keeping the dehydration at bay with breastmilk or formula is a great idea. Water is best kept to the older babies and toddlers.

What are some of your tips and tricks for keeping your little nuggets safe in the sun?