Why is sun protection needed?

Overexposure to UV radiation, and getting sunburned during childhood, are risk factors for developing skin cancer in later life. Recommendations for babies and toddlers is for them to be kept out of the sun, if possible, during peak periods of UV radiation; in New Zealand from early October to late March, especially between 11am and 4pm. Sun protection measures should also be used. Some sun exposure is important for vitamin D production, but exposure in summer months should be outside the peak UV times, and for short periods.

Facts about the sun’s ultraviolet radiation

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can burn a young child’s delicate skin in a few minutes.
• UV radiation can penetrate light cloud and, therefore, can burn skin on overcast days.
• UV radiation cannot be felt, is invisible and its effects are delayed; therefore, its presence is not immediately obvious (unlike heat, for example).
• Sunburn can also occur in the shade. This is because UV radiation is scattered in the atmosphere and is also reflected by surfaces such as concrete, water and sand.

Recommendations for babies and toddlers

Keep infants out of the sun as much as possible between early October and late March, especially between 11am and 4pm.

When this is not possible, reduce exposure of infants to UV radiation as follows:

• Plan the day’s activities to maximise your infant’s sun protection.
• Cover as much of the infant’s skin as possible with loose-fitting clothes and wraps made from closely woven fabrics.
• Choose a broad-brimmed, legionnaire style or bucket hat (minimum 5cm brim) so the infant’s face, neck and ears are protected.
• Provide full shade for the infant’s pram, stroller or play area. The material used should cast a dark shadow. The infant will still need to be protected from scattered and reflected UV radiation.
• Check the infant’s clothing, hat and shade positioning frequently to ensure they continue to provide protection from the sun.

Should you use sunscreen on babies?

Be cautious about using sunscreen on babies under one year of age. (It is best to keep them out of strong sunlight). However, if there is a risk that your baby might get sunburned, apply a SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen on areas of the skin not able to be covered by clothing.

If toddlers have to be in the sun, use recommended sunscreen on uncovered skin. Make sure that sunscreen is water resistant if they are playing in water.

Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before going outside and reapplied every couple of hours. As with any products that are applied to the skin, the use of any sunscreen should cease immediately if any unusual reaction is observed.

What about getting enough vitamin D?

During daylight-saving months, New Zealand’s high UV radiation levels mean that even when babies are outdoors for short periods (before 11am and after 4pm) with small areas of skin exposed, they are likely to receive enough UV radiation exposure to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.

In winter, it is generally safe and advisable for infants to spend some time in the sun.

The Ultraviolet Index (UVI)

The Ultraviolet Index (UVI) is an international, scientific measure of the level of ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation) in the environment. The higher the number, the greater the risk of skin damage.

The Cancer Society advises sun protection when the UVI is 3 or higher.

UVI levels can be found in daily newspapers and on TV1’s weather forecast (during the summer months) and on the SunSmart website: www.sunsmart.org.nz.

Related topics

Also see Skin cancer and Melanoma

Original material provided by the Cancer Society of New Zealand, December 2007. Edited by everybody, August 2010.