What do you do in the sun?

[Prusik]

Just after a range of opinions really.

The sun is my only real paranoia - I'm pretty laid back about all other aspects of looking after DS.

DS is nearly 8 months and has never really been in the direct sun. He's ALWAYS in the shade and I never really use sun cream as it doesn't seem necessary as he just doesn't have exposure.

A few friends have put lovely pictures of their babies (all less than a year old) enjoying paddling pools with regular swimming costumes on, in shorts and tshirts in the park and randomly chilling in the sun.

I'm not judging but really really wouldn't do this. I'd be paranoid after 30 seconds. Genuine question - are they crazy, or is it me?

It's you. We rarely use suncream and aren't really sun worshippers anyway. Lots of shade, and always during the middle of the day. We use ultra sun factor 30 when DD is significantly exposed. She's never burned and has spent lots of time in paddling pools and running naked around the garden etc.

I did think it was me but I really can't get my head around all these pictures of babies sat in the sun. I don't even think I'm prepared to get over it That being said, there is a strong family history of skin cancer. I just guess in my head babies have delicate skins and any more than a minute or two in the sun and he might burn

That's what sunscreen is for.

So in a sensible world....what's realistic about what you can do with an 8 month old in the sun?

By sensible, I mean moving away from my over cautious world!

There are some great articles on cancer research and nhs direct etc about
Keeping in the shade between 11 and 3
Covering up with clothes and suntan cream

But they do all say 10 to 20 mins sun is ok (depending on skin type) and good for vitamin d.

so maybe a bit of moderation is key.

Suncream and a hat. Not sure what you're not understanding?

I live in an incredibly hot country with all year sunshine, I hear you! Shade is our friend too, we even have a fab half tent thing we take to the beach.

But for being in the actual sun DD wears those long sleeve tops and shorts things with a little hat with flaps at the back. She's slathered regularly in factor 50 upwards. Drinks gallons of water.

Hit pool or beach at 430 onwards or really early morning.

She's very fair, has never tanned or burned and she's 4. If we can manage it here (45 today) then I'm sure you will be ok.

10-20 minutes, that's awesome, thanks @grasspigeons

@TeachesOfPeaches I'm not being deliberately dense!!

I also avoid the sun like a vampire. But a hat, and some zinc oxide sunscreen (I use badger sunscreen, totally safe for baby) and taking sensible precautions like not sitting out at high noon for hours should be sufficient.

Actually - I might be thinking of adults! I'll see if I can find the thing I was thinking off

My two are very very fair. We still don't avoid the sun completely. In fact, I deliberately give them 10 mins in the sun without cream on to get vitamin D. They've never burned (now 3 and 2). They wear long sleeved, loose fitting clothes and hats. Factor 50 on exposed parts. Keep to the shade at the hottest part of the day. The IL's live in Spain and we spent 4-5 weeks a year there, and they've still never burned.
Vitamin D deficiency is a real danger!

Op, I'm exactly the same as you, super paranoid about my DS burning. He's 6 months old and I walk around with an umbrella all the time to make sure he doesn't burn (PFB)

I read somewhere that sunblock isn't great for young babies so prefer to keep him under a shade at all times

So.. you're not alone

do you not worry about vitamin D deficiency? my health visitor seems obsessed by it! if your son isn't on formula he will be needing supplementation xxxx

Chewie, I'm glad I'm not alone!!

I don't think I do worry about vitamin D deficiency - I have quite a bright living room and he never wears suncream.

He is on formula but I hadn't really thought about that.

I might go crazy and take a trip to the park tomorrow!!

Do the babies not get hot? I get hot and a headache within about 30 seconds of being in the sun. It makes me feel dizzy

I have quite a bright living room

Bloody hell.

Yes, babies can get hot. That's why parents are supposed to keep an eye on them.

At 8mo I would keep him out of the sun, except when the pushchair is facing the wrong way as you walk down a street etc, 5 minutes here and there doesn't matter. I would not just have him lying around in the sun tho.

Once he's toddling, I'd stick him in a uv sun suit and legionnaires hat and let him get on with it

OP... a bright living room is not enough direct sunlight for the baby to make vitamin D. Ten to twenty minutes in the sun without sunscreen is fine for this (you can break that up into littler blocks). Vitamin D drops (abidec for example) are also recommended if you're breastfeeding.

In the sun, just put baby in a hat, sunscreen (boots sensitive factor 50 kids is a good one, or a sunblock like those mentioned above) and follow the usual rules about shade in the middle of the day etc. and you're baby shouldn't burn.

Not to freak you out, but babies can burn
in the shade- anyone can- as the uv rays bounce off of pavements etc.

My youngest (7 months) has a uv wetsuit thing and he goes in the paddling pool in that, and a hat. In the shade, mostly.

My health visitor is also vitamin D obsessed. As a family we're so fair skinned as to appear translucent, we live somewhere relatively sunny, and eat a balanced diet, so I'm comfortable not giving the children supplements.

Factor 50 and avoid midday sun and it'll be fine . Shame for DC to miss out on splashy fun .
My parents were very lax with sun care when I was a kid . It's not like you're letting DC fall asleep on a sun lounger with no protection , and laugh when they burnt to a crisp. True story .

As @trilby said- nobody's suggesting you let your little one lie around on a sun lounger smothered in Hawaiin tropic tanning oil... but there is a middle-ground...

Vitamin D is extremely important for bone development. Avoid the mid-day sun for sure but morning and late afternoon sun are good in moderation.

We just slap on a bit of sunscreen and tell my eldest (3) that the sun will set his hair on fire and therefore he must wear his hat-not strictly speaking untrue.