Sun exposure

Sun exposure: what are the options?

Parents usually land on one of these 3 approaches.

1. 1. Strict avoidance and covering

   You keep the child covered and out of strong sun.

2. 2. Sunscreen plus outdoor time

   You use sunscreen and still spend plenty of time outdoors.

3. 3. Relaxed

   You do not worry much about sun.

Sun exposure: what does the evidence say?

Evidence leans one way. Research or guidance points in a direction, but it's thin, small or correlational.

For babies under 6 months, CPS says no sunscreen; AAP accepts small amounts if shade is unavailable

Sources

• CPS
• AAP

What else is worth knowing?

Sun protection in childhood reduces skin damage later, and time outdoors is good for children. Babies under six months are usually kept out of direct sun. How strict you are is a balance between the two.

Questions to ask each other

• How careful were our families about the sun?
• What sun rules do we want?
• How do we handle sunscreen battles?

More in Health, body and toileting

• Childhood and teen vaccines (annual flu and COVID, HPV timing)
• Medication philosophy for common illness
• Complementary and alternative medicine
• Fluoride
• Dental care and thumb or pacifier weaning
• Toilet-training approach
• Toilet-training motivation and setbacks
• Night dryness and bedwetting
• Body vocabulary
• Affection and consent
• Nudity and privacy at home
• Puberty talks
• Hygiene autonomy
• Elective procedures (orthodontic, cosmetic, ear piercing)