Sun Protection Gear: How To Keep Babies and Toddlers Safe in the Sun
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Protecting babies and toddlers from sun exposure is important for their health and safety! Babies and toddlers have thinner, more sensitive skin and it’s more likely to burn. Their eyes are still developing and let in more UV radiation, so protection for the eyes is essential, too! Not to mention, babies and toddlers can’t regulate their temperature as well as adults. Too much sun exposure for little ones can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion. We definitely want to avoid that!
How do we protect babies and toddlers from the sun so they can still have fun outdoors and enjoy summertime and warmer temperatures? We bring in the trifecta: UPF sun protective clothing, sunscreen, and other sun protective gear like hats and sunglasses for kids.
What is UPF Clothing?
UPF clothing is specifically designed to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and it measures how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin.
What do UPF Ratings Mean?
UPF 15–24: Good protection
UPF 25–39: Very good protection
UPF 40–50+: Excellent protection
For example, a shirt with a UPF rating of 50 allows only 1/50th (or 2%) of UV radiation to pass through, blocking 98% of UV rays.
When thinking about UPF clothing and sun protection gear for kids, don’t forget about UPF swimwear for baby and toddler! It’s important to keep all of their skin protected when out in the sun! Lots of swimwear companies make sun protective swimwear for kids that has high UPF. Here are some of our favorites!
SwimZip UPF 50+ Swimsuit: LOVE that this covers the whole body with UPF 50 protection, is machine washable, and comes in so many fun prints/colors. Great sun protection for babies under 6 months that can’t wear sunscreen because it provides coverage everywhere!
SwimZip UPF 50+ Rash Guard: Sun-protective swimwear is so important! This rash guard comes with UPF 50 protection and provides great coverage for the upper body. The front zipper is a game-changer because you don’t have to pull a tight piece of clothing off your little one’s head! It’s easy on and off.
Girls UPF Long Sleeve Suit: We love RuffleButts swimwear for baby and toddler girls! It has UPF 50+ sun protection for baby and toddler sizes and snaps at the bottom for easy changing. It comes in lots of cute prints and it’s made by a small business!
Girls 2-Piece w/Rash Guard: A cute and affordable suit that offers UPF 50 protection and a drawstring waist, too! Acts like a swimsuit but it’s like wearing a short-sleeve shirt and shorts, so it provides more coverage. Great swimwear for toddler girls ages 3 and up!
Short-Sleeve Rash Guard: Affordable, UPF 50 sun protection with tons of bright colors to choose from! It fits more loosely and makes a great sun shirt for toddler boys size 2T and up!
Swim Trunks: My son has these and I love the quality! These swim trunks offer UPF 50+ sun protection for toddler boys. The prints are fun, it’s affordable, and the company has matching pairs for Dad! They have a comfortable compression liner on the inside instead of the scratchy mesh!
Is Sunscreen Safe For Babies?
Sunscreen can be safe for babies, but age matters!
Avoid using sunscreen on babies 6 months and younger. Instead of sunscreen, focus on keeping babies younger than 6 months in the shade and/or use UPF protective clothing. Avoid direct sun exposure during peak sun hours. And don’t forget to keep your little one hydrated, regardless of age!
Sunscreen is considered safe in babies 6 months and older. Look for a mineral sunscreen as a lower-tox option and avoid ingredients like: oxybenzone, octinoxate, or fragrances.
Make sure your baby is in the shade when possible and staying hydrated!
Best Sunscreen for Baby and Toddler
Babo Botanicals Stick: Sunscreen sticks can make it easier to apply protection to baby and toddler’s face. Just swipe and rub it in, and you’re good! This Babo Botanicals Stick is a low-tox mineral, fragrance-free sunscreen offering SPF 30 protection while moisturizing the skin with shea butter. It’s easy to travel with and safe for all ages, so you can use it, too!
Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator: Okay, this is a cool tool! Fill the Solar Buddies Applicator with whatever sunscreen you use and roll it to apply! Let your little one try to apply their own sunscreen and feel independent without the mess. It keeps your hands cleaner, too!
ThinkKids Sunscreen Stick: I’m convinced this is one of the best sunscreens for toddlers. It’s easy to pack on-the-go! The ThinkKids Sunscreen Stick is water-resistant, unscented, and provides SPF 30 protection for kids. It uses 20% non-nano zinc oxide as the main ingredient, so it’s a mineral-based sunscreen option.
ThinkBaby Sunscreen: Rated a 2 by EWG, this is a lower-tox sunscreen you can feel good about putting on your baby or toddler. It’s unscented, lightweight, and affordable! If you catch it on sale, you can snag it for $10-11.
Badger Sunscreen: Rated a 1 by the EWG, this is a great, clean sunscreen option for your little one (and the whole family)! It’s made with 98% organic ingredients a sunscreen brand Jenna’s family loves.
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby: Another EWG-Verified sunscreen for baby and toddler that’s fragrance-free and uses moisturizing ingredients like calendula, shea butter, and coconut oil.
Best Sun Protection Gear for Babies and Toddlers
When out in the sun, it’s best to play it safe! In addition to UPF clothing and mineral sunscreens, try and seek shade as much as possible. Don’t forget about hats and sunglasses for your baby and toddler, too!
Why Should Babies Wear Sunglasses?
Did you know babies’ eyes are more sensitive to UV rays than adult eyes? Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses for your child! Look for UVA and UVB protection in sunglasses for baby and toddler. Other things to look for in sunglasses for kids: shatterproof lenses (something that can stand up to being thrown out of the stroller!) and a comfortable, flexible design that actually stays on!
Why Should Babies Wear Hats?
Babies have delicate skin that is more vulnerable to sunburn. A wide-brimmed hat provides shade for the face, ears, and neck, helping protect from harmful UV rays. Especially for babies under 6 months who should not wear sunscreen, hats play a key role in sun protection and sun safety! In hot weather, a lightweight, breathable hat reduces direct sun exposure, lowering the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness.
Here are some of our favorite pieces of sun protective gear for babies and toddlers - from hats, to sunglasses, and shaded tents and play yards.
Sun Hat: I love that this sun hat has 50+ UV ray protection and is made with 95% cotton so it’s lightweight and breathable for babies. Great coverage with the visor in the front and neck protection in the back.
COCOSAND Sunglasses: Polarized, lightweight and great reviews - I love that these are BPA-free and shatterproof. They have a soft silicone nose pad and offer a flexible fit that stays put. Plus the attachment band makes them less likely to get lost!
Baseball Cap: Maybe your little one doesn’t like a wide-brimmed hat, but a baseball cap will still work wonders for sun protection with the visor in the front! I love this hat because it’s made with cotton and more breathable! It’s adjustable in the back, too!
Bucket Hat: We love this Jan + Jul hat because it’s 100% cotton making it breathable and lightweight and it offers UPF 50 protection for babies and toddlers.
Babiators Sunglasses: These are CUTE! Babiators sunglasses offer UVA and UVB protection. The frames are durable, flexible and BPA-free, and lenses are polycarbonate. Bonus: if your Babiators are lost or broken within the first year, the company will replace them for free!
Bucket Hat: This hat is 100% cotton with a linen lining and provides UPF 50 protection. It has 2 adjustable drawstrings - one around the head, and one below the chin to keep it secure!
Sun Protective Baby Blanket: This is a great option if you’re sitting outside or on the beach with baby - a soft blanket with sun protection! Just cover their legs or wrap it around the shoulders to keep them more protected. It’s easy to bring on-the-go wherever you need to “create” additional shade!
Regalo Portable Play Yard: This is my favorite play yard for outdoor play and keeping P contained in a safe space. It’s portable and packs up easily, too! Several size options AND comes with a canopy option, too! Use in the backyard, beach, or even inside!
Baby Shade Tent: This tent collapses easily so it’s great for traveling! It offers UPF 50 protection from the sun’s rays and provides good ventilation - so it makes for a safe space for your little one to sleep or relax!
Fisher Price Baby Dome: We love this when baby is 0-6 months and you need a safe place to lay them down outside. This dome is easy to collapse, super portable, and has a canopy (with UPF 20 protection) and hanging toys to engage baby.
Beach Tent w/Sun Shade: This tent provides UPF 50+ protection and has screens for great ventilation. It can fit 3 people comfortably! We love this for the beach - just grab some fun sand toys and enjoy playing in the shade!
Looking for more fun in the sun? We compiled our Summertime Favorites with low-tox sunscreen for the whole family, our favorite beach and sand toys, and more!
