Sunscreen – Can Babies Go to the Beach?

With the arrival of good weather, the sun, the beach, the swimming pools … it is time to talk about sunscreen.

The question always assails us .. can babies go to the beach? .. It is usually not advisable to go to the beach with babies under six months, except late in the day for a walk or early in the day, before at 11 in the morning.

Infants are very sensitive to solar radiation and burn very easily. They also run the risk of dehydration. Even being under an umbrella the radiation is reflected up to 30%.

On the other hand, a baby under 6 months of age spends most of the time sleeping and an environment of sand and intense sun is not the most recommended for their rest.

Choosing the sunscreen cream

There are three types of sunscreens that are: physical / mineral filters, chemical / organic filters and mixed filters (a mixture of the above).

All of them must cover against UVA and UVB rays (it will be specified on the packaging).

Babies under 6 months, as we have indicated, should not go to the beach and therefore you should not put sunscreen on them. If they go to the beach, it is preferable to cover their skin.

For babies from 6 months to 3 years, the indicated would be physical / mineral filter sunscreens. These filters reflect radiation on the skin but do not penetrate it, but bounce back. The paste of which they are made is not so light so it will take more effort to spread it. They are also not so resistant to water so you will have to put it on very often. They are the most recommended even for babies with atopic dermatitis.

Take into account that sunscreen sun creams, once opened, last 12 months, so it is advisable to renew them each year.

It is also advisable to cover our baby’s head with a hat and if they tolerate sunglasses, it will be even better. Although the baby wears clothes, it must be taken into account that UV rays pass through the clothes, so the protective cream will always be necessary.

Let’s not forget to offer babies water frequently even if they do not ask for it to avoid possible dehydration. It is also advisable to carry some fresh diced fruit in a cooler.

Avoid the hours of maximum heat that are from 11 in the morning until 18 hours.