Baby and Kid Beach Tips
Summer is quickly approaching and I wanted to chat the latest recommendations for babies and kids and sun protection! It’s important to know the best for your baby or toddler before heading into the sun rays! Here are all of my best baby and kid beach tips before you hit the road this summer!
For babies under 6 months, it is not recommended that they wear sunscreen as their skin is still very sensitive and absorbs more chemicals than older kids! If you’re headed to the beach or pool with a baby, it’s recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to keep them out of direct sunlight. This means bringing an umbrella or stroller canopy. Babies in this age group also do not regulate their temperature as well as older kids, so make sure to keep the fluids going!
If you’re nursing, this means nurse baby more often. If you’re feeding pumped breastmilk or formula this also means more ounces while out in the warmer weather. To keep baby cool, I love this stroller fan. I also recommend for my patients to wear loose clothing or rashguards with UPF+ sun protection in them! If your trip is last minute and you forgot to buy UPF protected clothing, look for looser clothes in your child’s closet with a tighter weave. To check how tight the weave is, hold the clothing item up to the sun and see how much light shines through! The less light shining through, the more protective it is for your baby. Don’t forget about eye protection – I love these baby polarized ones with UV protection in them.
Finally, grab a big floppy beach hat for additional sun protection. I also remind families that sun can reflect off the water or pool when in the pool even if under the shade, so try to limit the time not under direct shade.
For babies 6 months+ and kids – the latest recommendations are still geared towards UPF protected clothing. Even the “better” sunscreens still contain chemicals and there is a lot of research ongoing about sunscreens. However, if you need to use sunscreen (especially on faces and areas where clothing doesn’t cover) I recommend using a mineral based sunscreen. This is our favorite one here! I even use this for myself and it’s great for sensitive skin or if your child has eczema.
Regarding SPF strength, most research shows that SPF greater than 50 does not provide any additional benefits, so personally I look for 30-50 SPF strength. Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before sun exposure.
A few things to remember: reapply at least every 2 hrs, you can absorb 80% of UV rays even on a cloudy day, and UV rays can bounce back from sand, water, and concrete! This is one of the biggest beach tips I can give you!
I hope you found these beach tips helpful! For a round-up of all my favorite kids summer essentials or my beach favorites, check out my lists here!
