Finally, summer is here — which means ice cream, swimming, and spending time in nature! But along with all that summer lightness, a little caution is important, too: the sun can quickly burn your little explorer’s sensitive skin. So you can enjoy plenty of sunny adventures without worry, we’ve summarized how to best protect your child with sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and more — plus what helps with sunburn and sun allergy.

Sun protection for babies

Your baby’s skin needs special attention in the sun: it’s still very thin and therefore absorbs UV rays more easily than adult skin. In addition, it contains much less pigment, which means less natural protection against UV rays. Without protection, skin can burn in just 5 to 10 minutes. To prevent the pain of sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer later in life, protect your little explorer’s skin:

Shadows instead of sun

Even if the sun seems tempting, stay in the shade with your baby — and until the age of 2, you should avoid direct sunlight . Keep your little explorer fully clothed even in the shade, as up to 50 percent of UV radiation can still reach them there. In summer temperatures, lightweight but sun-protective T-shirts, shirts, and pants, as well as a wide-brimmed hat, are ideal. Our midwife Sissi shares tips on suitable clothing in the video " Baby clothing in summer ". Keep an eye on the temperature under an umbrella or sun sail. It may feel shady there, but it can get very warm underneath. So it’s best to avoid setting them up in direct sunlight, as there’s a risk your baby could overheat. In hot weather, you can also help cool your baby down by placing a damp cloth on their head or over their little legs."

Well protected while walking

Going for a walk is twice as much fun in the sunshine. However, in summer temperatures, it’s best to avoid walking at midday, as UV exposure is especially high then. Instead, take a stroll with your little explorer in the morning or later in the afternoon, once it has cooled down a bit. To keep your baby protected during the outing, attach a Sun sail or a special Sun umbrella to the stroller. This protects against UV radiation while still allowing air to circulate. In contrast, a cloth draped over the stroller can cause heat buildup, which is why it’s not suitable for sun protection. If you prefer to head out with a Baby carrier , a not-too-densely woven cloth can help prevent both of you from sweating. No matter how you’re on the move, regular breaks in the shade are a welcome cool-down on any walk. If you’re unsure whether your baby is getting too warm, check their temperature at the nape of the neck.

No sunscreen for babies under one year old

Since your baby’s skin is very sensitive, it’s best to avoid sunscreen until the age of 1 and instead protect your little explorer from sunlight with special UV clothing . However, there are situations — for example on Vacation or on excursions — where sun exposure is unavoidable. In that case, use products with a sun protection factor of at least 30 and mineral filters , as these generally irritate baby skin less. Because the rule is: Better sunscreen than sunburn .

More tips on how to get through the hot season well with your baby can be found in our article " ".

Sun protection for children from 2 years old

Now that your child is walking better and better, they’re probably unstoppable and want to play outside and explore the world. When playing outdoors, continue to protect your child’s skin with appropriate clothing , Sunscreen , and by avoiding direct sunlight . Children’s skin is still sensitive to the sun, because their natural UV protection only fully develops over the years.

Which sunscreen is suitable for children's skin?

Sunscreen protects the skin from sun exposure by using filters to absorb UV radiation. When buying sunscreen, make sure it blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays and indicates a sun protection factor of at least 30 . In the sunscreen aisle, you’ll also find products with mineral filters, chemical filters, or a combination of both. You can recognize mineral sunscreen by ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. In general, mineral sunscreens often have the advantage of irritating sensitive skin less and leaving a white film — so you can see where you still need to apply sunscreen to your little explorer. Ask your pediatrician which type of sunscreen is best suited for your baby’s skin.

When and how often should you apply cream to your child?

The sun protection factor of mineral sunscreen usually works immediately, while chemical filters take about 20 to 30 minutes to become effective. However, it’s always a good idea to apply sunscreen before you go outside — because the sun’s effect on the way to kindergarten or the playground is often underestimated. The motto when applying sunscreen is: Much helps much! Apply sunscreen thoroughly to your child’s entire body — if there isn’t enough, the SPF won’t be effective. Don’t forget the hairline, ears, and tops of the feet, as these areas are often overlooked. To maintain protection, regular reapplication is necessary. Reapplying approximately every two hours is important. If your child is a little water rat, apply a new layer immediately after drying off — even sunscreens labeled as waterproof lose some of their protective effect due to water and friction.

Suitable clothing as sun protection

Even better than sunscreen, the right clothing protects against sunburn. Each piece of clothing has a certain sun protection factor, or in textiles, the "Ultraviolet Protection Factor" (UPF). This is highest in tightly woven, dark clothing, as well as in specialized UV clothing. UV protection clothing consists of fabrics that, thanks to special weaving techniques or impregnation, offer UV protection. When choosing textiles, look for a label with "UV Standard 801." These items have been tested for their sun protection and have at least a UPF 10. This also applies when wet, as ordinary cotton clothing allows more UV rays to pass through when wet. At the beach, lake, or paddling pool, your baby or child should ideally wear UV clothing that offers at least UPF 60 .

For sun protection on land, clothing should be loose and not too tight, covering as much of the body as possible. Head, face, neck, and ears are among the most sensitive areas of the body — a Sun hat or a cap with Shade and Neck protection should therefore be a must for babies and toddlers. And those little feet that often peek out of the stroller should be covered with shoes or a light blanket with UV protection.

Sunglasses for babies and children

It’s also important to protect the eyes from the sun. As long as your baby is in the shade, they don’t need sunglasses. However, if you’re out on sunny days or your baby starts exploring the outdoors by crawling, you should get them used to wearing Sunglasses . The easiest way to do this is to lead by example and put on sunglasses together. To prevent your little explorer from being startled by the sudden darkness, they should only wear the glasses outdoors — brown or green tinted lenses change the colors of the surroundings the least. Models with a strap or Velcro are also especially practical. They can be easily adjusted to fit the head size and won’t slip. Finally, when buying children’s sunglasses, make sure they not only provide UV protection but are also shatterproof and have no sharp-edged elements. Sunglasses that meet EU safety standards can be recognized by the CE mark and the inscription "EN 1836:1997" on the inside of the temple.

Sunburn and sun allergy in babies and children

Sometimes sunburn happens faster than you can blink, despite all precautions. If your baby or child has sunburn, the first rule is to stay calm. You can recognize sunburn by the following Symptoms :

• About 3 to 4 hours after sun exposure, the skin turns red, becomes hot and painful, swells, and becomes sensitive to touch.

• Later, the skin may itch or burn.

• If the skin blisters, your little explorer has a more serious burn that should definitely be treated by a pediatrician. You should never open burn blisters yourself, as this can lead to infections.

• Sometimes your child’s general condition worsens due to sunburn. If your child develops circulatory problems or a fever, you should also consult the pediatrician.

• About 2 to 3 days after sunburn, the skin begins to renew itself and peel — small or larger patches of skin come off.

If, on the other hand, you notice small hives, itchy spots, or blisters after a sunny day, your little explorer probably has a Sun allergy . This isn’t a true allergy, but the term covers various conditions triggered by an overreaction to sunlight. If symptoms occur for the first time, have your child’s dermatologist examine the skin for clarification — especially if you notice edema (swelling).

Help with sunburn and sun allergy

Sunburned skin can be painful for your child, which may make them fussier than usual. Stay calm and comfort them to help distract from the pain. From now on, it’s also shadow duty until the skin has healed. A few things can help relieve sunburn for your little explorer:

• Regularly cool the skin with cold, damp compresses. For example, apply herbal teas, yogurt, or quark finger-thick onto a kitchen towel and leave the wraps on for at least 30 minutes, until they no longer feel cool. Do not use ice or other frozen items under any circumstances, as this can cause even more damage to the skin.

• Use cooling lotions, moisturizers, and gels — suitable for children’s skin and dermatologically tested — such as those with aloe vera or calendula. These also have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties and soothe the skin.

• Burned skin should experience as little friction as possible. Therefore, make sure your child wears light clothing — or none at all.

• Sunburn often causes the body to lose a lot of fluids. If you are breastfeeding your baby, nurse more often. Your child should also get enough fluids in the form of water or unsweetened fruit teas.

• For more severe burns, visit the pediatrician’s office for treatment.

In the case of sun allergy, moist, cool compresses as well as seawater-containing compresses or baths can also provide relief. The pediatrician may prescribe an anti-allergic medication with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

Unfortunately, our skin doesn’t forget — which makes it even more important to protect your little explorer’s skin from the sun. With the right sun protection, nothing stands in the way of sunny adventures, and you can enjoy the beautiful weather to the fullest!