Baby in the sun — what you need to know to protect that little skin

Summer is almost here and everyone wants to get outside. But a baby's skin isn't like your skin — it's thinner, more sensitive and has almost no defence of its own against the sun's rays. What's a lovely day for you can be too much for a little one.

Here's what you actually need to know — without the unnecessary fuss.

Children's skin copes less well with the sun — for a concrete reason

A baby's skin is up to 30 percent thinner than adult skin. It produces less melanin, the pigment that gives natural protection against UV radiation. That means a little one burns faster, deeper and with longer-lasting consequences than an adult.

Children under one year shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight at all. That's not a recommendation to take lightly — it's the advice from child health clinics, paediatricians and skin experts. Shade, clothing and a parasol are the primary protection. Sunscreen is a complement, not a solution.

Shade isn't always enough

It's easy to think a parasol solves the problem. But up to 50 percent of the sun's UV rays are reflected into the shade — from water, sand and light surfaces. A baby in the shade on a sunny beach is still exposed. Clothing that covers the skin is the best protection, complemented with sunscreen on the areas that aren't covered.

Also avoid draping a blanket over the pram for shade — it can get very hot in just a few minutes and increase the risk of overheating.

Choose the right clothes — material matters

Covering clothing is the most effective sun protection for a baby. But not all materials are equally good. Tightly woven fabrics give better UV protection, but they're less breathable — and a baby doesn't regulate body temperature as effectively as an adult.

Bamboo fibers are naturally breathable and regulate temperature better than synthetic materials. They wick moisture away from the skin and keep the temperature more even — important when your little one is out in the heat for a long time. The same principle applies to the diaper: a diaper with breathable material against the skin reduces the risk of irritation and overheating in the diaper area on hot summer days.

Take a look at Bammies diapers here:

Sunscreen — when and how

Children under six months shouldn't have sunscreen on large parts of the body. Focus on shade and clothing. For older babies, go for SPF 50+, fragrance-free, without perfume and preferably with physical (mineral) filters rather than chemical ones — they sit on the skin instead of being absorbed.

Apply 20–30 minutes before you head out. Reapply every two hours and always after swimming. A common mistake: too little. You need more sunscreen than you think to actually get the stated protection factor.

Simple rules of thumb for summer with a baby

Avoid direct sun between 11 am and 3 pm — that's when the rays are strongest. Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible. Cover up with clothes in breathable material. Add SPF 50+ on exposed skin from six months of age. Feel the chest — not the hands — to check whether your baby is too warm.

And give your baby fluids often. Heat and sun dry you out fast, and a little one doesn't always show when they're thirsty.

Why we think about this

Bammies are made for sensitive baby skin — 100% bamboo fiber against the skin, no fragrance, no fossil-based plastic. It's the same principle that applies in summer: what sits against the skin matters. Breathable, soft and free from unnecessary substances is always the right choice — whatever the season.

Want more tips from Bammies? Read more here.