Long sleeved t-shirts to protect against sunburn

[Jane101]

Is it just me being over-protective (which I am) or does anyone else feel they should be dressing their toddler in long sleeves when it's hot and sunny? It isn't easy finding long sleeved t-shirts in the summer, and no-one else seems to bother. And, of course, long sleeves are hotter. What do you think?

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I just use lots of sun crean and t-shirts.

Jane101- we slap lots of sun cream on, have started using P20 which you put on once a day. But we have skin cancer in the family.

Tesco have long sleeved T shirts and if you hurry they are on offer. 5 for £10 me thinks!
I use loads of sun cream but if your child is fair, take no chances.

Jane, I always favour long sleeves and long trousers, ds has eczema and a cover-up is better than cream for him. I am often aware of the fact that every one elses toddler is running around in shorts and vests while my little love is completely covered. People also like to comment on the fact he must be hot, uncomfortable etc. It doesnt seem to bother ds though, we lived in Spain for a year and he never had any tan at all, this quite pleased me, I am helping to protect him against cancer and that must be good. I have one ghastly ex-friend who thought her 2 y/o looked better with a nice tan!

jane101, I am happily neurotic about avoiding the sun as have pasty celtic skin which dd has inherited. I try to avoid the sun between 11 and 3 when it's hottest, and this coincides nicely with lunch and nap and there's still plenty of day left. I also prefer long sleeves and trousers, and want to get sun protection suit for holiday in Spain, but am very confused !see here I try to get dd to wear a sunhat as well, which also must make her hotter, but I'd prefer that to sunstroke.

I went for thick white t-shirts - and factor 35 on the exposed bits! T-shirts also worn over swimming costumes whilst bathing. I think long sleeves just sounds too hot in good weather unless there is a particular worry.

I think it is much easier to put them in long sleeves etc than keep applying sun cream...I would never know how often/whether it has worn off etc.
I had a fine golden tan thru my childhood but it seems to be the thing to worry about every possibility nowadays, which I do.. and definitely spend ages arguing about her wearing a hat, but she has very fine hair so seems wise.

Ds wears short sleeved T-shirts and factor 50 on the exposed parts, I re-apply every hour or so.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Luckily, the sun's gone today, so I don't have to worry about it right now.

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edgarcat, the forecaster said last week that the sun in the UK on (last) Wednesday would be as strong as in August. I don't know enough about how the world turns to know if that's true.

Is the sun 'hotter' in different parts of the world or does it just appear for longer ? Is it hotter at different times of the year ? Feel a bit dim about this, but also dubious when mum saying it's fine to take dd out in what I felt was blazing sunshine last week, just because it's april ...

The sun is hotter in different places and at different times because of the way the earth tilts - some places and some times are closer to the sun I think we're further away from the sun in April so it's not as hot although you can still burn. Maybe you still get a similar amount of UV rays...?

I couldn't find teh 'does sunscreen go out of date thread' so thougth I'd post here - well I think it does - I went out in factor 45 yesterday and it was blazing hot but I only stayed out 45 minutes and tanned!!! Ridiculous! It was 2 year old sunscreen so I think that must be why. I am a human guinea pig for you fellow mumsnetters

also cannot spell for toffee

Thankyou Professor Soupdragon Now, are those UVA or UVB rays ... ?