Once your baby is six months old, you can use lotions or sprays that are specially formulated for babies and children. We can’t be completely sure of the safety or effectiveness of using sunscreens on younger babies. That’s why it’s recommended that you keep your baby out of the sun completely for her first six months. When your baby is six months or older, choose a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15. Also, check the label says the sunscreen is a broad-spectrum brand with a four-star or five-star rating. This means it offers good UVA and UVB protection.

Apply sunscreen liberally to every part of your baby’s skin that isn’t covered by clothes or a hat, including her hands and feet. You’ll need a plum-sized dollop of sunscreen, probably far more than you’d expect. It’s best to pat it on rather than rub it in. If you can, put the sunscreen on your baby about 15 minutes before she goes outdoors. You’ll need to reapply it at least every couple of hours and after she has played in water, even if the sunscreen is waterproof.

Some brands make tinted sun creams, which makes it easy to see if you have missed a bit of your baby’s skin. If your baby has eczema or sensitive skin, check the ingredients list for anything you know is likely to irritate her skin or trigger an allergic reaction. Test any new sunscreen product on a small area of her skin first before you apply it to any exposed areas. If your baby does develop a rash or redness where you’ve tested it, choose a hypoallergenic formula instead. Apply eczema emollients or treatments first, and then put sun cream on half an hour later.

Original article: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a553935/keeping-your-baby-safe-in-the-sun