Beat the Heat

by Sanford Health

Beat the Heat: Keep your baby safe

Once temperatures warm, you want to get the family outside as much possible before the seasons change again. But before you head outdoors, remember your baby needs a little extra TLC to stay safe in the summer.

Sunscreen for babies

Sunscreen is recommended for everyone, right? While children and adults should always protect themselves with sunscreen, it is not recommended for babies under 6 months old. Keeping your infant in the shade is the better choice and, particularly, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when ultraviolet rays are the most intense.

Because infants have a higher surface-area to bodyweight ratio than older children and because baby skin is less mature, their exposure to chemicals in sunscreens may be much greater. That can increase the risk of side effects from sunscreen.

Preventing sunburn

Plan ahead by covering up your infant. To prevent sunburn, dress your baby in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats. Choose clothes with tight weaves. If you hold the fabric against your hand, it shouldn’t be so sheer you can see through it. Use brimmed hats, which shade the neck, rather than cute baseball caps or headpieces that provide no cover for the neck and ears. Of course, it isn’t always possible to keep your baby totally covered and in natural shade. Instead you can create your own shade by using an umbrella, canopy, blanket or even your body to protect your baby.

If you are in a situation where there is no possible shade, apply a small amount of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to small areas that are likely to be exposed. Avoid combination sunscreens that contain insect repellents like DEET. Try testing your baby’s sensitivity to sunscreen by rubbing a small amount on the inner wrist first and waiting a few minutes.

Remember that your baby is more susceptible to the dangers that can accompany summertime’s scorching sun and high temperatures. But there is also plenty of time for fun. With just a little planning and preparation, you can keep your baby safe, cool, hydrated and happy all summer long. If you have any concerns or questions, please talk to your child’s primary care provider. l

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Common signs of infant hearing loss:

• Loud noise does not surprise them • Does not respond to where noise is coming from • Delay in speech or vocal play

CDC