Sun protection and newborns

[PurpleCurtain]

Hi - feeling like the worst parent ever having taken 7 week old for an hour's walk in the pram with his ankles uncovered and the sun blaring down. I thought his dungarees were long enough and that the pram canopy would cover his ankles anyway - apparently not. There wasn't much shade available on the walk really and it was an errand that needed doing at that time.

I'll dress him in sleepsuits in future so he is covered (we've been caught out by him having just grown out of newborn size, so only had dungarees gifts that fitted!), but what else should I be doing if I do have to take him out? Does he need a hat on in the pram? At what age can I use suncream on him? Any other tips for clueless first time parents?

Should I be doing anything like preemptively applying after sun to his ankles? I can't currently see any redness or anything but am feeling terrible about having caused him sun damage already!

Do his legs look red?
Careful with the sleepsuits if it gets really hot.

You could cover him with a muslin if you can't keep him out the sun and it gets a bit much

I've seen on another thread that you've now bought a parasol - this should help! And no, unless advice has changed you shouldn't really use sun cream if they're below 6 months. You can get enlarged pram canopies (and clothing!) in UV-protectant fabrics if that would help reassure you, and obviously only make essential trips when the sun is at it's hottest.

I think one instance shouldn't be a big worry if it means you want to be more vigilant in future, particularly if there's no sunburn and baby was mostly covered, so please don't beat yourself up!