Bub 2 asleep in his pram at Disneyland
Temperatures are heating up in Australia, and with the school holidays here families are spending more time in the sun. Parents of babies and small children often receive conflicting advice about how best to protect their children from the damaging affects of the sun. With that in mind I would like to share this important health advice, collated with input from a dermatologist friend.
Baby and toddler skin is particularly sensitive to the damaging properties of the sun’s rays. Sun exposure may be particularly high during vacations involving water sports. Scientific evidence has demonstrated a direct link between sun exposure during childhood and the later development of skin cancer. The highest risk is to children who have intermittent blistering sunburn. Responsible parenting means protecting your little ones from excessive sun exposure. This avoids the pain your infant or child will experience, and sleepless nights for you if they develop a sunburn. It also decreases the chance that they will develop skin cancer in adulthood.
Sun avoidance offers the best protection against sun damage. If this is not possible the Australian Cancer council recommends the following measures to prevent sunburn in babies:
- Plan the day’s activities to minimise the infant’s exposure to the sun, especially between 10am and 3pm.
- Cover as much of the infant’s skin as possible with loose fitting clothes and wraps made from closely woven fabrics.
- Choose a hat with a broad-brim or in a legionnaire style so the baby’s face, neck and ears are protected.
- Make use of available full shade and provide shade for the infant’s pram, stroller or play area. The material used should cast a dark shadow. The infant will still need to be protected from scattered and reflected UV radiation.
- Check the infant’s clothing, hat and shade positioning regularly to ensure he/she continues to be well protected from UV radiation.
- Apply a SPF30+ broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen. Broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen (SPF 30+) may be applied to any small areas of skin that cannot be protected by clothing (such as face, ears and backs of hands). Sunscreen will need to be applied 20 minutes before going outside and reapplied every couple of hours or more often if it has been wiped or washed off.
Reference: Cancer Council Australia: Position Statement: Sun Protection and Infants (0-12 months).
Although toddler’s skin is slightly less sensitive to the sun the above measures should be taken to protect them as well.
Many people apply too little sunscreen therefore missing out on the full SPF protection. One recommendation is to apply 2g of sunscreen to each cm squared of exposed skin. Make sure the sunscreen you are purchasing is 30+ SPF and not just 30. “Sunsense” and “Hamilton’s” are brands which offer very high sun protection. If spending time in the water double check that the sunscreen you are using is waterproof.
You may be told to avoid using sunscreen in infants under 12 months (like I was by a pharmacist). This is incorrect. The evidence suggests that sunscreen use is safe for babies. The worst possible outcome from using sunscreen is the small number of children who will develop a sensitivity rash to sunscreen. The results of not using sunscreen are potentially much worse. If your child has had such a reaction in the past purchase brands specifically designed for sensitive skin.
Some final tips:
- Purchase cover-up style swimwear for your little one, preferentially with documented UV protection.
- If your little one tolerates wearing sunglasses there are many on sale for little eyes which will help protect them. Make sure you offer constant supervision if sunglasses have a strap attached to minimize the risk of a choke injury.
- Don’t forget the potential risk of sun damage when visiting the snow. The reflected rays may be concentrated leading to nasty burns.
- Little ones can burn in the shade!
