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Can Newborns Wear Sunscreen?

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Summer is almost here, which means enjoying popsicles, sprinklers, pool time, and beach vacations. No matter how old your kids are, you want to keep them safe in the sun, but newborns can be a little trickier. From keeping their little bodies out of direct sunlight to wondering can newborns wear sunscreen, it can feel a little difficult to enjoy all of the fun summer activities with an infant.

Of course you totally can, but you'll have to take some extra precautions. Because technically, newborns can not be slathered in sunscreen. According to the Mayo Clinic, sunscreen is only safe on babies that are 6 months old or older.

For babies under 6 months old, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding sun exposure and dressing your newborn in lightweight pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats to keep your baby's neck free from sun exposure. However, the AAP also recognizes that not everybody has long-sleeved clothing at their disposal, especially if you weren't planning on being outside. In that case, if you have no other option, you can apply a very minimal amount of sunscreen, at least 15 SPF, to small areas, like the backs of your newborn's hands, the tops of their bare feet, and their little face. What to Expect notes that a newborn's skin is very sensitive to the chemicals in sunscreen, which is why you should only cover the areas that aren't protected by clothing.

If you're still worried about taking your baby outside without slathering them in sunscreen, just relax. Babies are well-protected with clothing that covers their body, as well as having the hood of a stroller up and even a blanket on top to keep the sun rays off their delicate skin.

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