Natural Baby Sun Protection

The baby sun protection experts recommend about twenty minutes of unprotected sun exposure a day. However, as real life dictates, you're probably outdoors with your baby much longer than twenty minutes on most days.

Furthermore, some experts recommend delaying the use of baby sunscreen until they are at least six months old.

If you're looking for some ways to complement or replace your use of sunscreen on your infant, here are a few suggestions to reduce their exposure to the sun's Ultraviolet (UV) rays.

You probably know that blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are great sources of antioxidants. Did you know that sound antioxidant nutrition can help guard against sunburn? Carrots are another great source of antioxidants that helps protect the eyes and the skin.

2. Rub on natural, food based oils.

This article highlights a number of food based oils that offer natural protection from the sun. Shea butter is a natural nut butter from the shea tree that has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 6.

Avocado oil was compared to other natural oils and ranked the best sunscreen by the Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.

While the use of these oils alone may not be equivalent to an SPF of 15, it can offer a worthwhile barrier when combined with other protective methods. Always make sure your baby does not have an allergy before applying anything to his or her skin.

3. Wear sun protective clothing.

You may not think about the fact that Ultraviolet rays can get through normal clothing and burn the skin. Clothing with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ can offer extra protection and peace of mind.

Bamboo is a natural fiber made without pesticides and chemicals that offers natural UV protection. It is also cool and breathable.

I was impressed by the variety of offerings of UPF 50+ and organic bamboo apparel offered by the I-play brand. They also carry sunglasses and other baby sun protection gear.

4. Skip the peak hours.

By staying indoors or in the shade between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. you can avoid the most intense rays of the sun and reduce the chances of getting sunburn.

5. Get real sunglasses for your baby.

Your baby's eyes are especially vulnerable to ultraviolet rays, so cover them up every chance you get.

However, toy sunglasses can be worse than no coverage at all. The glasses create a dark space around the eyes and cause the pupils to enlarge without the UV protection. So if you go with glasses make sure it offers 100 percent UV filtration.

6. Don't forget the gear.

When you know your family is going to be outdoors all day take umbrellas, canopies and cabanas for extra protection. When the materials are made of UPF if 50+ they can block out 98 % of the sun's rays.

Your family will appreciate the shade and extended time outdoors. Here is just one example from One Step Ahead.

7. Use baby sun protection methods in the car.

Tinted windows only keep out UVA rays and not UVB rays so use all of the protection methods you can while in the car. Here are three options I found at One Step ahead.

Related Articles:

What to Look For in Organic Skin Care
Ingredients to Avoid in Organic Skin Care Products
Natural Baby Skin Care Treatments
Natural Baby Eczema Treatment and Prevention

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