Should Newborns Be in the Sun?

As you adjust to life with your newborn, there will be some special issues to remember to keep him safe from harm. Your newborn will need protection from the sun if you take him outdoors. Newborn skin is unlike more mature skin, so to prevent skin damage and burns, use care in the sun.

  1. Newborn Skin

    • Babies younger than 6 months should not receive sun exposure, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation website. The skin of a newborn has little pigment ̵1; melanin ̵1; which are the colorings in skin, eyes and hair. Melanin provides some protection from the sun, lessening the likelihood of burning. Without melanin, a baby̵7;s skin is exceptionally sensitive to burning.

    Sunblock

    • Although previous guidelines recommended avoiding the application of sunscreen or sunblock to infants under 6 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics has now revised this recommendation. When you have a newborn in the sun, you can safely apply a small amount of sunblock or sunscreen onto small areas of the baby̵7;s body, such as the baby̵7;s face and the backs of the baby̵7;s hands.

    Protective Clothing

    • Protect your newborn from sun with clothing instead of sunscreen or sunblock, if possible, advises physician Jay L. Hoecker, with the Mayo Clinic. Place a hat with a brim on your baby̵7;s head and use lightweight clothing that covers your baby̵7;s arms, legs and trunk. Baby sunglasses with UV protection can help protect your newborn̵7;s eyes. Protective clothing may be another option for ensuring that the sun̵7;s rays do not reach your baby̵7;s skin.

    Car Windows

    • The sunlight that shines through car windows onto your baby in her car seat can also present a significant risk for sunburn. Apply UV protection window film to your car windows or use shades that pull up and down on side windows. Use the shade attached to your newborn̵7;s car seat to shade her from sun, too.

    Jaundice

    • Many newborns experience jaundice at the beginning of life as an immature liver strives to filter extra bilirubin present in the newborn̵7;s body. Phototherapy is an effective treatment for reducing bilirubin levels. The sun is a natural method of phototherapy, according to pediatrician William Sears, with the Parenting website. Under your physician̵7;s guidance, you might undress your baby down to his diaper and lay him indoors near a sunny window for about 15 minutes, four times each day. Pay close attention to the infant's position near the window to ensure you place the baby near the natural light but out of direct sunlight.

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