Sun protection advice for babies under 6 months – How to keep your baby safe from the sun

UK summers are unpredictable, but one thing is for sure, when the weather starts to warm up and we start to feel the strong heat of the sun's beams, new mums with newborns or young babies have one question on their mind - how do I protect my baby under 6 months from the sun?

This is an important topic, so we've researched it thoroughly and asked experts for their insight on sun protection for babies under 6 months so that we can bring you the best info and advice to keep your little bubs safethis summer.

Can newborns be exposed to the sun?

Firstly, let's establish what's important. If you're a new mum, knowing whether it's safe to take your newborn out in the sun is a priority in the summer, so we're really glad you're here!

The NHS says that babies under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. They say that this is because their skin contains too little melanin. Melanin is pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes their colour, and it also serves an important purpose – it provides some protection from the sun.

With less melanin in their skin, newborn babies, and babies under 6 months are more exposed to the damage the sun can cause.

Can you put sunscreen on a newborn?

Knowing that newborns and babies under 6 months are even more vulnerable to damage from sun exposure than older kids and adults, you'll want to make sure that you're protecting them in hot weather. So you might wonder if applying sunscreen on a newborn or young baby is safe, and can make a difference to allow them to spend time in the sun with you, your family and friends.

Sunscreen brands in the UK don't recommend using their products on babies under 6 months, even sunscreen for babies. "Your infant’s sensitive skin is vulnerable to serious burns. But sunscreen isn’t the answer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration", is the advice on the FDA website.

Why can't you use sunscreen on babies under 6 months in the UK?

It is tempting to think – Oh a little bit of sunscreen won't hurt – but The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends waiting until your baby is 6 months old before introducing sunscreen.

The British Association of Dermatologists agree with this, and say it's because, "babies have a higher surface-area to body-weight ratio compared with older children and adults, which means that a baby’s exposure to the chemicals in sunscreens is greater, possibly increasing the risk of an unwanted reaction."

What's worse than a hot and bothered baby in the summer? A hot and bothered baby with an itchy raw rash on their skin! So avoid the sun, and avoid sunscreen.

How do I protect my baby under 6 months from the sun?

With it not being safe for babies under 6 months to wear sunscreen, summer can be tricky to navigate for families, especially those with other children who want to be taken out to play or if you're going away on holiday together. How can you protect your younger child from the sun without sunscreen when out and about?

The British Association of Dermatologists: says, "The best approach is to keep infants under 6 months out of direct sun and in the shade as much as possible, not only to reduce their UV exposure but also to reduce the heat load on the baby." This means, it's okay to go outdoors with newborns and babies under 6 months during the summer months, it'll just take some strategical thinking if you're going to the park or beach, as you'll need to ensure there is enough shade there, or that you can provide shade another way for your little one.

It is especially important to avoid direct sunlight around the mid-part of the day. This is when UV radiation is most intense and the sun can be at its hottest, says The British Association of Dermatologists. So planning out your day and making the most of mornings and evenings at weekends and during the summer holidays is a safer bet if you want to spend time with baby and family outdoors.

How do I keep my newborn safe in the sun?

It's probably easier to keep newborns safe in the sun because they are less active than older babies or toddlers that may be starting to crawl or walk. You can keep them in one place more easily and if they're not snoozing they'll usually be happy to lie back on a blanket with you and kick in the shade. Shade is the number one plan of action here.

Because it's not always easy to predict whether there will be sufficient shade in the park, and there isn't usually any on the beach, a beach tent can be the perfect solution to offer sun protection for babies under 6 months when outdoors.

Beach tents are designed to be super easy to pop up and put down, and they don't take up too much space in your car or the bottom of a buggy. They provide a spacious area for you, your baby and other members of the family to relax in the shade. They're also really handy for the garden, and older kids can play inside them indoors, if you have the space, on a rainy day!

How to protect baby from sun in pram?

Ensure that you have an effective pram cover or sunshade. This will help to keep the sun's rays off little one on the way to the park or when out and about and going for a stroll. Your pram may already have a hood, but if it's not long enough to cover your baby effectively you can buy clip-on sunshades and parasols very reasonably. Plus, they come in a variety of different colours and patterns, and look super cute clipped onto your pram in the summertime.

How long can a baby be in the sun without sunscreen?

The NHS urges parents to take extra care to protect babies and children from the sun. They say, "Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life." They especially remind parents that babies under the age of 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.

This means that if you have a newborn or young baby that can't wear sunscreen due to their age, they shouldn't be spending any time in direct sunlight with you.

Does a muslin blanket protect from sun?

No, a muslin blanket will not protect your newborn or young baby from the sun. In fact, it may make them feel even more hot, uncomfortable and at risk of heat exhaustion. The NHS says, "Babies and young children can become ill during very hot weather. Their health can be seriously affected by heat exhaustion." This means it's very important to be aware of what may overheat your baby.

The National Childbirth Trust warn; "Be wary of covering your buggy with a muslin or blanket to shade your baby from the sun: they can make the inside really hot."

MusLuv, a brand that manufactures muslin wraps for babies says, "Ordinary muslin wraps are not designed to be used in the sun. They are thin and porous, meaning that UV rays can easily pass through to your baby’s skin underneath. In fact, independent tests show normal muslin wraps provide no protection against the sun."

How to keep a 1 month old cool in hot weather

Keeping little ones out of the sun and keeping them cool are two different things. During a heatwave, for example, it can be overwhelmingly warm, even in the shade or indoors, depending on the building. The inside of cars can become very hot too! You'll need some go-to methods to cool little ones down in these situations.

Tips to keep newborns and babies under 6 months cool in hot weather:

About the author

Proud aunt to her teen niece, Zara Mohammed is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. She has 10 years freelance writing experience creating lifestyle content for various platforms, including pregnancy, women’s health, parenting, child development and child mental health, plus lots of fun seasonal family articles and celebrity news.