Protection from the sun should start at birth and continue throughout your child’s life.
The best way to prevent sunburn in children over 6 months of age is to follow the A, B, Cs recommended by The American Academy of Dermatology:
| Away | Stay away from the sun in the middle of the day. This is when the sun’s rays are the most damaging. |
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| Block | Block the sun’s rays using a SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapply it often during the day. Sunscreens should not be used on infants under 6 months of age. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF can be applied to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. |
| Cover-up | Cover up using protective clothing, such as a long sleeve shirt and hat when in the sun. Use clothing with a tight weave to keep out as much sunlight as possible. Keep babies less than 6 months old out of direct sunlight. Sunglasses and hats with brims are important. |
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