Keeping your baby safe in the sun

What causes sunburn?

Sunburn occurs after overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It may not immediately be evident after you bring your baby in from the sun because the redness and pain of a mild first-degree burn may not appear for several hours. A more severe second-degree sunburn can cause red, tender, swollen or blistered skin that is hot to the touch. It's impossible to get a third-degree burn, "the worst kind," from sun exposure.

A baby's skin is extremely thin and delicate so despite your best sun blocking efforts, sunburns can occasionally occur. Because his skin is so susceptible to a burn, it may take only 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to cause one. Your baby can even get burned on a cloudy or cool day because it's not the visible light or the heat from the sun that burns but the invisible UV light.

How should I treat mild sunburn?

If the sunburn is mild, soak a cloth diaper, receiving blanket or washcloth with cool water, wring it out, and gently place it on the sunburned area for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day (make sure your child doesn't get chilly). Or bathe your baby in tepid water with a teaspoon of baking soda added to help cool the skin and reduce redness. Follow either treatment with a gently applied coating of water-based moisturizer and make sure she has plenty of fluids.

If the sunburn is severe and the skin is blistering (this is a type of second-degree burn), call your doctor for advice. She may prescribe a soothing cream, an infant pain reliever and/or dressing of the blisters.

How can I prevent my child from getting sunburned?

Keep your baby out of direct sunlight as much as possible, especially between 11am and 3pm, when the sun's rays are strongest. Use a range of sun protection gear including umbrellas and canopies to keep him in the shade. The best way to protect him if you can't keep him in the shade is to dress him routinely in a hat and lightweight pants and a baggy T-shirt for outings during the middle of the day. Add UV-protected sunglasses if he'll wear them. Apply small amounts of waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the remaining exposed areas such as his face and the back of his hands. It's a good idea to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure to give it a chance to work its way in. And reapply it at least every two hours and after your baby has played in water, even if it's waterproof. When trying a new sunscreen, do a patch test first to make sure your child doesn't have a reaction to it. If he does develop a rash or redness at the test site, choose a hypoallergenic formula instead.

Health Canada recommends that you NOT put sunscreen on a baby under six months old.