Essential Sun Protection Tips for Babies Under 6 Months

Why Do Babies Need Extra Sun Protection?

A baby's skin and body react to the sun very differently from an adult's. These are the reasons sun safety matters so much in the first months:

• Thin, sensitive skin: a baby's skin is about 20 to 30% thinner than an adult's and has very little melanin for natural defence, so UV reaches and damages the deeper layers within minutes. It also loses moisture faster, so sun dries and irritates it more easily.
• Serious sunburn risk: babies burn quickly even in mild sun. What gives an adult a light tan can leave a baby red and in pain. Sunburn in infancy can bring fever and dehydration, and sunburns in childhood are strongly linked to melanoma in adulthood.
• Overheating: babies cannot regulate their temperature as well as adults. Direct sun and heat put them at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and overheating is linked to a higher risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Keeping a baby cool and shaded is as important as keeping them unburnt.
• Too young for sunscreen: the NHS and the British Association of Dermatologists advise against sunscreen on babies under 6 months old. A baby's skin is more permeable, and their higher surface area for their weight means they could absorb more of the chemicals, with a risk of irritation or other effects. For infants, clothing and shade are the first and best line of defence. If a small patch of skin cannot be covered, a little infant-safe sunscreen on that spot is accepted as a last resort.
• They depend on you: an older child will move out of the sun when they feel hot. A young baby cannot roll away from the light or tell you they are burning, so it is up to you to see it coming.

Infants are extremely vulnerable to sun damage, but the upside is that all of it is preventable. Cancer Research UK estimates that 86% of melanoma cases could be prevented by avoiding excessive UV exposure. The steps below are how you do that for a baby.

Sun Safety for Babies Under 6 Months

For newborns and babies up to six months the rule is simple: no direct sun. Everything else follows from shading them, covering them and keeping an eye on their temperature. These are the steps that matter most:

1. Stay in the shade. Keep your baby out of direct sunlight as much as you can, especially between 11am and 3pm when UK sun is strongest. Walk in the early morning or late afternoon. Use the pram sunshade or a clip-on parasol whenever you are out. A UV-rated pram cover blocks the direct rays while still letting air through. Never drape a blanket or muslin over a pram as a sun cover. It traps heat and can cause dangerous overheating, which is why the Lullaby Trust advises against it. Use a proper sunshade instead and check your baby's temperature often by feeling their tummy or the back of their neck. Open shade under trees, a canopy or a beach umbrella is ideal, and dappled shade still cuts a lot of UV. Remember that water, sand and even concrete reflect UV back up, so keep the hat and clothing on even in the shade.
2. Dress your baby in protective clothing. Lightweight long sleeves and long bottoms are essential, covering as much skin as you comfortably can. A thin cotton onesie or sundress looks the part but offers little protection. A white cotton t-shirt is roughly UPF 5, so it lets around 20% of UV through. UPF 50+ baby clothing, like the sunsuits equatorsun makes, blocks at least 98%. A full-length UPF 50+ baby sunsuit covering arms and legs is perfect for the park or the beach. It is breathable and lightweight so your baby does not overheat, and most are chlorine-resistant for the paddling pool or a holiday swim. If you do not have UPF clothing, choose darker fabrics with a tight weave. Hold the fabric up to the light: the less light that comes through, the more UV it blocks. Go loose rather than tight. Loose clothing is cooler and protects better, because stretched fabric lets more UV through. If you are unsure whether UPF clothing is worth it, our guide to sun protective clothing explains how it is tested and what it does.

To compare reputable options before you buy, see our UK guide to UPF swimwear and clothing brands: Best Sun Protective Clothing & UPF Swimwear Brands in the UK (2026 Guide).

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3. Put a sun hat on, every time. A wide-brimmed hat or a legionnaire cap with a neck flap shades the face, scalp, ears and neck, the areas that burn first. The NHS recommends a wide brim or long flap for babies. Look for an elastic or Velcro chin strap, because most babies will try to pull a hat off, and a brim wide enough to shade the whole face. equatorsun makes UPF 50+ infant sun hats that block UV and stay put during play. Use the hat consistently so it becomes part of going outside, and wear one yourself. Babies copy what parents and siblings do.
4. No sunscreen unless you have no choice. Standard sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months. Cover and shade first. If there is a small area you cannot cover, such as the backs of the hands or the cheeks, you can apply a little broad-spectrum SPF 50+ made for babies to that spot, ideally after checking with your GP or health visitor. The British Association of Dermatologists says that where there is no other option, a high SPF on exposed areas is acceptable. Choose a mineral suncream (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), which sits on top of the skin and is less likely to be absorbed or to irritate. Treat it as a last resort. With a bit of planning, a baby under six months should not need any suncream at all.
5. Keep your baby cool and hydrated. Layers of clothing on a warm day can lead to overheating. Check your baby often. Fussiness, a hot tummy or neck, flushed skin or fast breathing all mean they are too warm, so move somewhere cooler and take a layer off. Regular feeds help them regulate heat. On very warm days a clip-on pram fan with a safety cover improves airflow. Shade, hydration and ventilation together keep a baby comfortable, and a comfortable baby is a safer one.
6. Protect their eyes. Babies' eyes are sensitive to UV too. Many infants will not tolerate sunglasses, but it is worth trying a pair of infant sunglasses with a soft strap, labelled 100% UVA and UVB. If they stay on, that is an extra layer of protection. If not, make sure the pram canopy shades their face and the hat brim is wide, which cuts a lot of the UV reaching the eyes.

Follow these steps and you all but remove the risk of sunburn or heat stress. In practice it might mean skipping a midday outing or choosing the shady corner of the park, small adjustments that make a big difference. Do not relax on cloudy days either. Up to 80% of UV passes through cloud, so the canopy and hat stay on whatever the sky looks like.

Sun Protection for Older Babies and Toddlers (6–24 months)

Once your baby passes six months you gain one extra tool: sunscreen is now generally safe to use. That does not replace anything else. Clothing and shade stay as the first line of defence, with sunscreen covering the skin they leave bare. This is also the age when your child starts crawling and toddling into sunny spots, so the habits you set now matter. Here is what to do:

• Keep the hat and UPF clothing on. Make sun-safe clothing a normal part of going out from the start. As they begin to walk, keep dressing them in lightweight long sleeves, long shorts or trousers and a sun hat for outdoor play. equatorsun's toddler swimwear and playwear, such as a two-piece UPF 50+ set or a long-sleeve rash guard top, are stretchy, comfortable and quick-drying for busy toddlers. Only 13% of UK children wear UPF clothing regularly, so yours will be well ahead.
• Apply sunscreen, and reapply it. From six months, use a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ on any exposed skin. Choose a child-friendly, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula, often labelled "baby" or "kids". Apply it about 15 minutes before going out, even on slightly cloudy days, and reapply at least every two hours, sooner if your child is sweating, in water or being towelled dry. Set a timer if it helps. At the beach or pool, a long-sleeve swim shirt means far less skin to re-cream, which wriggly toddlers appreciate. Do not forget the tops of the feet, the ears and the back of the neck, and apply sunscreen before dressing so there are no gaps at the edges of clothing. Sunscreen adds to hats and clothing rather than replacing them. More clothing, more sunscreen, more shade is the approach the British Skin Foundation's campaign recommends.
• Shade and timing still matter. Plan outdoor adventures for the morning or late afternoon where you can. If you are at the playground at midday, head for the shaded areas; many UK playgrounds now have shade sails or covered benches. Take a pop-up UV tent to the beach or a picnic. Most baby beach tents are UPF 50+ and give you somewhere out of the sun for snacks and naps. Build in "shade breaks" so they feel normal. Only a quarter of children understand why shade matters, with 75% unaware, so making it part of play teaches the habit early.
• Lead by example. Toddlers copy you. If they see you putting on sunscreen, wearing a hat and choosing the shade, they will do the same. Make it a family routine where everyone creams up and everyone wears a hat. It protects you as well as them.
• Watch out for reflection and altitude. On holiday somewhere hotter, or in the mountains, UV is much stronger than at home. On ski trips and winter sun breaks, keep protecting your toddler even when the air feels cold. Snow reflects over 80% of UV, so children burn under the chin and on the nose from light bouncing up. Apply sunscreen there too and use a face-covering buff and a hat with a visor. Water and sand reflect UV at the seaside as well. If you are outside in daylight, some UV is reaching you, so plan for it.

Keep these up and you are protecting your child's skin now and their health for decades. A majority of UK children have had sunburn, but with a bit of vigilance yours need not be one of them. A toddler who grows up with "hat, shirt, shade" carries it into school and beyond, which lowers their skin cancer risk for life.

Frequently Asked Questions – Baby Sun Protection

Can I use sunscreen on my 3-month-old baby?

No, not as a routine. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months because their skin absorbs the chemicals more readily and may react poorly. Keep your baby in the shade and covered with clothing and a hat. If sun exposure cannot be avoided, a small amount of baby-specific SPF 50 on limited areas such as the face or hands is accepted as a last resort. Patch test it first. From 6 months you can use sunscreen on exposed skin, while still putting shade and clothing first.

What SPF sunscreen should I use for my baby or toddler?

From 6 months, use a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ with a UVA 5-star rating or the UVA-in-a-circle symbol. The NHS advises SPF 50 for young children. Choose a water-resistant formula made for babies and children, which tend to be mineral-based and gentler on skin. Apply plenty, and reapply every two hours and straight after swimming or sweating for the best protection. Applying enough and reapplying matters more than the number on the bottle.

My baby has darker skin. Do they still need sun protection?

Yes. Babies of every skin tone need sun protection. Darker skin has more melanin and burns less quickly, but it still burns and still suffers DNA damage. Melanoma is less common in people with very dark skin but is often found later, which makes it more dangerous. A baby's skin is delicate whatever its colour, so the same rules apply: cover up and stay out of direct sun. Sunburn on Black or Brown skin may not turn pink. It can look whitish or greyish, or just feel tender later, so rely on prevention rather than looking for redness.

How can I protect my baby in the car or through windows?

UV comes through glass. Standard car windows block most UVB but not UVA, which still damages skin over a long journey. Fit stick-on UV shades to the side windows by the car seat; the mesh or static-cling type cuts most of the UV and the glare. Keep your baby's arms and legs out of direct sun through the window and dress them in light long sleeves and trousers for car trips. At home, if your baby lies near a sunny window, use a UV window film or draw the curtains at peak hours. Many people in the UK have more sun damage on the right side of the body from years of driving, so window UV is real.

What should I do if my baby gets sunburned?

Get them out of the sun straight away, indoors or into full shade. Cool the skin with a clean, damp, cool (not cold) cloth, or a lukewarm bath. Offer breast milk or formula, and a little water if they are old enough, because sunburn dehydrates. Do not use ice or very cold water, and skip home remedies like butter. A gentle baby moisturiser or aloe vera gel is fine; anything with harsh chemicals is not. If blisters appear, or your baby is very uncomfortable, feverish or lethargic, seek medical help. For any sunburn in a baby under one, call your GP for advice. Keep the burned skin fully out of the sun until it heals.

Won't keeping my baby out of the sun cause vitamin D deficiency?

No. UK guidance already assumes babies will not get their vitamin D from the sun. The NHS recommends daily vitamin D drops for babies: 8.5 to 10 micrograms a day for breastfed babies from birth to one year, and for formula-fed babies drinking less than 500ml a day (see also the Scottish Government advice). That covers healthy growth without any deliberate sun exposure. The sun is one source of vitamin D, but it is the only source of sunburn, so the trade-off is not worth it.

Do babies need sunglasses?

If your baby will keep them on, yes. Infant sunglasses labelled 100% UVA and UVB protection, with a soft adjustable strap, shield developing eyes from UV. Many babies pull them straight off. Try short spells with plenty of encouragement, and even a few minutes helps. If sunglasses are a no-go, a wide-brim hat and the pram canopy do most of the job. Never let a baby look directly at bright sun.

Enjoy the Sun Safely With Your Little One

Sunny days with a baby should be a pleasure, not a worry. Seek shade, dress your baby in UPF 50+ clothing and a hat, time your outings sensibly and use sunscreen once they are old enough, and you have made the sun safe for them. You are protecting their skin now and building habits that will last. In the UK we make the most of every sunny day, and it is easy to underestimate the sun. You can burn on a breezy 20°C day with light cloud. A little preparation is all it takes.

equatorsun's Australian-designed UPF 50+ baby sunsuits and hats block at least 98% of UV while staying light and gentle on baby skin, which makes the advice above easy to follow. If you have any questions about sun protection, email us. We are always happy to help.

As They Grow

Once your baby is old enough for swimming lessons or beach holidays, you will need reliable UV swimwear. Compare the options in our Guide to Sun Protection Swimwear Brands for Children (UK).