in October 2024 Babies 🇬🇧

Sun cream for a four month old baby..

I was just wondering if anyone knew what the rules are here? We are travelling to Australia soon where it is still very hot and having lived there before, I know it has like, no ozone layer. She will be almost 5 months when we arrive (just a week under) and on the back of lots of baby spf creams I have noticed it says 6 months and over (if not stated on the bottle, it is on their websites) we will obviously be keeping her out of the sun as much as possible and covered up, sun hats on, etc. The NHS says sunscreen from 6 months+ …wondering has anyone used any prior to this? She’s like a little porcelain doll to me haha. Thanks 🙏

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They say that in case their is a reaction on their skin. Get a baby one and patch test it. I used child farm and before 6 months with my first as he was a summer baby. It’s much better to have it and apply when needed.

Be aware that sometimes SPF50 can cause little ones to get a heat rash so it can actually be better to have a lower SPF and just keep on top of reapplying it. It's because the SPF rating just means how long it lasts, and to make it last longer they add more oils or waxy substances, which can prevent the skin being able to sweat normally. Lower SPF is more water-based, and obviously the lower the SPF the more you need to reapply it for it to be effective, because it's going to fade as your skin sweats it off, so it's a trade off I'd be wary of using SPF50 on a really young baby just because they're not as good at regulating their temperature, so I wouldn't want to cover them in something waxy on a hot day. I'm not sure if that plays a part in why they don't recommend it for younger than 6m but it could be. Maybe opt for 20 or 30 and set a timer to reapply it every hour or so? 😅

There is a great app called "Yuka" that you can use to scan products and food and it tells you if they are full of crap or not. Maybe try finding a suncream with a good rating that doesn't have lots of nasty ingredients.

The 6 month rule is mainly because ideally you would keep young babies out of the sun totally (I.e. in the shade) and if sun creams were advertised to younger babies, people would put them in direct sunlight thinking they were protected. If you are going to be in the sun it is recommended to use sun cream even if they are under 6 months, as the risk of burning outweighs any potential skin sensitivity. Generally mineral sunblock is better than chemical, as it is not absorbed into the skin.

I took my baby to the Caribbean in January and he was 3m. I covered him up and used the spf full body swim suits. I also put him in a uva blocking tent on the beach and bought a snooze shade for when we were out and about with the pushchair. We just made sure we minimised how long he was out for and timed it so it wasn’t peak of the day or kept him inside and took it in turns to catch some rays!

https://amzn.eu/d/cYIPYB1 this is great for the pram

Thanks all! Yes we have bought a cozygo which is equivalent to snooze shade - but accepted on the airline we’re flying with. Will see how we go with the sunscreen - getting so many different answers. Aus is probably a good market for suncream so we won’t be without choice at least.