As a new mom to a one-year-old boy, my biggest priority is making sure I am constantly keeping my son safe and healthy! Since we live in South Florida, it’s extra important to me to keep him protected from the sun’s harmful rays while enjoying our year around warm weather. I had no idea that babies were not able to wear sunscreen until they were 6 months old. When I found that out, I decided to take extra precautions to keep him sun safe. I have put a list together of a few of my favorite baby and mom approved items that are stylish and perfect for keeping your little ones safe from the sun.
My first must have on the list is a stroller that blocks UV rays. I love the Stokke strollers as they are very versatile and are comfortable for baby and mom. When I found out they had a summerkit, I purchased it imediately! It came with a hood, seat rail cover, rear textile cover, sun sail, and terrycloth seat liner. The fabric is made to wick way moister and keep them cool on warm days. It also contains UPF 50+ to protect their sensitive skin. My favorite feature of this kit is the sun sail, which covers your baby from direct sunlight while still managing to provide a well-ventilated environment. If you live in cold climates, they also sell a winter kit, which protects baby and mom from the harsh winter weather. This kit offers built in hand mittens for mom, faux fur lining, and a down sleeping back for when temperatures plunge.
The second item on my list is a covered area for outdoor playtime! I love taking Jameson outside to play, but I don’t want him crawling on the dirty ground or being exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. While at the beach, I have seen many families with tents for their children to play in. If you purchase a tent, be sure to check for reflected light. The sun’s UV rays can reflect off the sand and cause sun damage. With this in mind, we chose to bring our 4Moms pack n play to the beach and purchase a giant umbrella to cover the top of the pack n play. It allowed for the breezy weather to keep him cool in the summer heat and was easy to set up!
While spending anytime outdoors, proper clothing is a must! I always make sure Jameson is wearing sun protective clothing whenever we are spending time outdoors or at the beach. Hats, sunglasses, and long sleeve swimwear should be worn at all times. When choosing hats, remember that the wider the brim the more protection. Be sure that hats are also waterproof and comfortable. My favorite hat for swimming is Swimlids. Target also offers a few great options as well. They stay on and are comfortable for children. Sunglasses are just as important for babies as they are for adults! The sun’s rays are strong and can harm your baby’s sensitive eyes. I love Babiators! They offer 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays and are bendable so they are not easily broken. Sun protective clothing is also extremely important and should be worn over sunscreen. I like long sleeve options to protect his arms. My favorite brands include Cat & Jack at Target, SnapperRock, and Radicool. Each of these brands offers stylish options! Make sure to always protect your baby’s feet. They are often exposed and hard to cover. Mudpie socks stay on well.
One of the most important tips is to always use sunscreen for babies older than 6 months! My favorite sunscreen is Neutrogena’s Pure and Free baby sunscreen. It features a 100 percent zinc oxide sunscreen formula, which is proven safe and effective for baby’s sensitive skin. It is also free of harmful chemicals, phthalates and parabens, and as a mom, I always try to use natural products whenever possible. I like to use the squeeze bottle for applying sunscreen on his body under sun protective clothing, and the sunscreen stick for application on his face. Be sure to reapply every 2 hours and to cover every bit of exposed skin including ears, toes, fingers, neck, and ears! For babies under 6 months, be sure to speak with your pediatrician before using sunscreen.
Last but not least, protect your baby while in the car! Many people forget that the sun’s harmful rays can easily penetrate windows. Whether you are trying to get your newborn to sleep with a long car ride around the neighborhood or just running errands in the afternoon, protect them by using a window shade. Britax EZ-Cling Sun Shade provides UPF 30+ and keeps the sun out of babies’ eyes when they are trying to nap.
Teaching healthy habits start at a young age! Make sure you are an example to your children of what it means to have a healthy relationship with the sun and practice what your preach.