Planning a trip to the beach this summer? Know how to protect your baby’s skin

Written by Natasha Jordan / Nutritionist & Dermal Therapist for Vernix Australia



Your baby’s skin is fragile and is more sensitive to sunlight. Providing protection at a young age can have life-long impacts on your child’s health. Learn how you can effectively protect your baby’s skin from the sun.

Living in Australia the first thing we all think of when heading to the beach is sun protection. We think of this because we are all well aware of how intense the Australian sun is and how quickly it can burn our skin. But how important is sun protection really?

Let’s look at some shocking statistics!

Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world. In fact, 80% of new cancer cases in Australia are skin cancers. Skin cancers are classed as melanoma or non-melanoma, and sun exposure is responsible for between 95-99% of both forms.

Studies show that exposure to UV radiation from the sun during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer; highlighting the importance of sun protection in those early years of your baby’s life. But luckily, skin cancer is almost entirely preventable through awareness. Let’s look at how you can effectively protect your baby from the deadly effects of too much sun. 

How do you protect your baby?

When it comes to babies the first line of defense from the sun is avoidance. This is especially important during the first 6-12 months of your baby’s life when your baby’s skin is thin and fragile and is very sensitive to damage from the sun’s UV rays. Avoidance can be done by simply finding some shade, I highly recommend investing in a shade tent, it’s easy to set up and provides a relaxing and protected space for you and your baby.

Also, consider the clothing you dress your baby in at the beach. Always choose clothing with a UPF value of 50, UPF is an indicator of how well a fabric protects from UV rays, most beachwear for babies will have a UPF label.

Sunscreen is also an option and provides effective protection. Although when using sunscreen always be mindful of the sensitivity of your baby’s skin, patch test first on the inside of your baby’s arm a few days beforehand. Apply sunscreen 20mins before sun exposure, and apply every 2 hours, or if wiped or washed off reapply more often.

If you’re looking for more information on how to protect your baby’s skin from the sun, please visit the Cancer Council website.

Sun safety is something all Australians need to take very seriously. Mums have an even bigger challenge and responsibility as they are protecting themselves and their baby. We have a range of sun lotions that are safe for use on children and make the task just that little bit easier.

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