Q&A: How do I protect my baby from sun exposure?

With summer approaching your question is coming at a great time. Exposure to the sun's harmful rays is something we all want to avoid. It's important to know that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends caution when using sunscreen on babies under 6 months because their skin's ability to metabolize and excrete chemicals may not be fully developed.

That's why we take our cue from them and tell our clients to get in the habit of using alternatives to sunscreen to protect Baby's gentle skin. This means lightweight long-sleeve T-shirts, sun hats, stroller shades, umbrellas, yes, even sunglasses. Of course, keeping Baby out of direct sunlight is always the best option. If you're still thinking sunscreen is the only way to protect your baby, and Baby is under 6 months old, you'll want to check in with your pediatrician first for some additional guidance.

When you do start using sunscreen, make sure you do a patch test on your baby's back to check for any allergic reaction. Also, there are lots of great products made specifically to protect Baby from the sun. We love Baby Banz for their sunglass/sun hat combo pack. They even come in a waterproof tote and are perfect for those lazy days of summer. We're also fans of Shady Baby, a stylish, sturdy, and UV protected umbrella that easily attaches to your stroller—just clip on and cruise! Also, keep a look out for lightweight clothes that offer SPF and UPF protection. We've seen everything from cute onesies and tee's to fun summer cover-ups.

To all these things, we say … sunsational!