When do you start using sunscreen on babies?

[CherryChoc]

I know babies have very thin skin, so when do you start using sunscreen? Had DS out in the garden with me today in his buggy but wasn't sure if he ought to have had sun cream on.

I don't want to use a buggy shade thing as I want him to be able to see me and also I quite often use a sling so couldn't use one in there!

He is 5.5 months if that is relevant.

tbh a sunhat and long sleeves and a sun parasol is preferable to putting cream on

i asked this yesterday
i'm going to get some tomorrow 50+ and it will last all this year then.

Sorry, didn't see it

Would they not get a bit hot in long sleeves and a hat? Was going to attempt to use a sunhat anyway (DS hates hats) but I thought babies regulate their body temp by losing heat through their heads?

I think babies up to about 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and so shouldnt need sun cream. After that age I used sun cream with a hat. My next door neighbour used to refuse to put sunscreen on her DC's age 2 and 8 as she said it was bad for their skin.....not as bad as sunburn IMO !!

We looked into this when we took DD1 away on hols. No sunscreen under 6 months - unless you have no shade in which case a tiny amount on backs of hands or exposed neck. Basically its important that they regulate their own heat and sunscreen can impair their ability to do that.

Much better to have long sleeves, sun hat, long trousers - I even put socks on her. Best solution is one of those mesh sunscreens for the pram and a play tent for the beach.