Your toddler can play for hours on the swings, run laps through the park and toddle on the beach for what seems like an eternity. But is all this fun in the sun safe? It is — but only if your child is wearing sunscreen to stay protected from the sun’s skin-damaging rays.
Damage from the sun is cumulative over a lifetime, and a good deal of the harm comes from exposure during childhood. The more sun damage your toddler has as a child, the greater her risk of skin cancer later on. That means it’s ultra important to establish sun safety habits early.
The best form of sun protection is of course prevention, so try to stay inside or in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. If you need to be outside during the midday sun, be sure to take the following precautions and use these safe sunscreen and sun protection tips for toddlers.
How much sunscreen should toddlers wear?
Don’t skimp on sunscreen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people apply only about a quarter to half as much sunscreen as they should.[1]
How much is enough? One ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) generally covers the exposed areas of an adult’s body, and most young kids need about half of that. Since even the most prepared parent is unlikely to have a shot glass in her purse, know that half an ounce of sunscreen should fill the palm of your toddler’s cute little hand.
In addition to covering the obvious spots (legs, arms and face), remember to apply a generous amount of sunscreen to often-missed areas including the ears, neck, backs of legs, and tops of feet and hands. Keep in mind that lips can burn too, so be sure to coat your little one’s mouth with lip balm that has SPF 30. Dress your child in a hat to keep the sun off her face and spots that are tough to cover with sunscreen, like the top of her head.
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How often should you reapply sunscreen to a child?
Apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before you and your toddler go outside, then reapply every two hours — and more often if your little one is sweating or playing in water.[2] And don’t be fooled by labels that say the sunscreen is water-resistant for either 40 or 80 minutes. You still need to reapply after your toddler gets wet (no matter how much she protests!).
Cloudy days don’t give you an excuse to go without sun protection, either. Your toddler needs sunscreen even when it’s overcast, since up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds.
Which sunscreen is safest for your toddler?
Some sunscreens are better than others. Here are a few tips for buying sunscreen for your toddler:
- Choose a formula that’s specifically for children and water-resistant (even if your cute LO won’t be getting wet).
- To minimize the risk of rashes, check the ingredients label and choose products with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These mineral sunscreen ingredients physically reflect UV rays, as opposed to chemical sunscreen ingredients, which work by absorbing UV rays.
- The label should say "broad-spectrum," meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Opt for an SPF that's between 30 to 50. Because higher SPFs have a greater concentration of ingredients, they're more likely to cause an allergic or irritant reaction, and they're generally thicker and harder to spread.
- Avoid sunscreens containing insect repellents. If you need repellent, buy it separately and apply it after you apply sunscreen.
Tips for protecting toddlers from the sun
If you are planning to be outside a lot with your toddler, protect her from the sun by taking all of the following steps:
- Stay inside during peak sun hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as much as possible.[3]
- Stay in a shaded area whenever you can, or at least break up your sun exposure with pit stops in the shade. Put up an umbrella on the beach. Have picnics under a tree. Stay under awnings on decks. Remember to still apply sunscreen. The shade minimizes UV exposure but doesn't block it completely.
- Put sunscreen on underneath your toddler’s shirts, and keep in mind that light-colored clothing and loosely woven fabrics allow the most UV rays through. A better bet: sun-protective clothing that has SPF built right into the fabric.
- Top your tot off with a broad-brimmed hat or a cap with a forward-facing brim that shields the face.
- Have your child wear toddler-sized sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV protection.
- Use the stroller's shade, or a parasol that you can attach to the side, rather than tossing a blanket or other heavy covering over it, which could make your child too hot.
While you’re in the summer sun, make sure to bring plenty of water for you and your little one, and follow other best practices in hot weather. Keep an eye out for signs of dehydration (fussiness, redness, excessive crying). And if your child’s skin does become sunburned, move her out of the sun immediately and apply a cold cloth or compress to any red patches as soon as you can.
Here's to having fun together (safely) in the sun!
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