Baby sun cream: what age can you use it?
From six months, sun cream adds protection to shade and clothing. For younger babies, avoiding direct sunlight comes first.
From six months, babies can use sun cream on exposed skin, alongside clothing and shade. Older babies still need to stay out of the sun as much as possible. A higher SPF is not a reason to keep them in direct sunlight for longer.
For babies under six months, the NHS recommends keeping them out of direct sunlight and does not recommend sunscreen. The British Association of Dermatologists gives a limited exception: if there is no way to avoid exposure, high-SPF sun cream can be used on small areas such as the cheeks and backs of the hands. This is a fallback when shade and clothing cannot cover the gap.
Shade, clothing and pushchairs
Plan for the strongest sunshine, particularly between 11am and 3pm from March to October. A shaded route or a different time of day can make an outing easier. Check that your baby is still shaded as the sun moves.
Choose loose, lightweight clothes that cover the skin without adding lots of layers. A broad-brimmed sunhat or one with a long back flap helps protect the head, ears and neck.
For a pushchair, use a parasol or sunshade and check your baby regularly for overheating. Do not drape a blanket over the pram or pushchair to block the sun. It can trap heat, even when the space underneath looks shaded.
Choosing a sun cream from six months
The key label checks are SPF 30 or higher and UVA protection. SPF describes protection against UVB. Look for four or five UVA stars. A circled “UVA” symbol indicates that a product meets the European UVA protection standard. “Broad spectrum” means protection against both UVA and UVB.
A fragrance-free product is a useful choice to reduce the risk of a skin reaction. For swimming or paddling, choose a water-resistant cream. Check its expiry date and how long it can be used after opening, shown by the open-jar symbol and a number of months.
If your baby has a skin condition or has reacted to sun cream before, ask your health visitor for advice about a suitable product.
How to apply and reapply it
Put sun cream on before you leave, when it is easier to cover the skin carefully. NHS advice is to apply it about 30 minutes before going out, then again just before leaving if there is a risk of burning.
Use plenty, following the product instructions, and spread it evenly over uncovered skin. Thin smears give less protection. Check the easy-to-miss places: ears, neck, backs of hands and tops of feet, as well as the face.
Reapply at least every two hours while outside. Apply it again straight after swimming or sweating, and after towel drying or when it has rubbed off. This applies to water-resistant creams too. Keep the tube with you so a change of clothes or a paddle does not leave you without it.
If your baby is sunburnt or too hot
Sunburn
Any baby or young child with sunburn needs an urgent GP appointment or advice from NHS 111. For a child under five, call 111 rather than using the online service.
While arranging help, move your baby out of the sun and gently cool the skin with a cool damp towel or bath. Take care they do not get too cold. Avoid ice and do not burst blisters. Keep the affected skin covered from sunlight as it heals.
Overheating
If your baby becomes unusually tired or irritable, sweaty and clammy, or sick in the heat, move them somewhere cool, remove unnecessary layers and cool their skin. Call NHS 111 if you need advice or are struggling to manage possible heat exhaustion.
Call 999 for signs of heatstroke, such as a very high temperature, hot skin without sweating, fast breathing, a seizure or loss of consciousness. Keep cooling them while waiting for help.
