Throw some shade on that bébé: providing sun protection for an infant when traveling

May 27, 2017
As if traveling with an infant wasn’t already a huge life adjustment with the ticking timebomb of an explosive diaper just waiting to go off, you also have to plan vacations around another “sh” word: shade. And I’m not talking the shade people may throw at you if you bring a baby to first class on a plane (which I’ve definitely done. For the record, my then-18-month-old was an angel). Yes, nothing brings greater paranoia with a new baby than the thought of their new, precious skin being sunburned. Sadly, everywhere you travel to doesn’t come with a guaranteed row of shady palm trees at the beach. But with these suggestions, you don’t need to be stuck indoors until your baby is older.
 
Disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist or pediatrician, so please discuss any skin and sun-related concerns with your baby’s doctor. Even with these suggestions below, monitoring your baby’s reaction in the sun or heat and keeping them hydrated is key.
 
 

Swaddling blanket

Swaddling blankets are extremely versatile and easy to pack. Not only are they great for swaddling, they are lightweight enough to throw over your stroller or baby’s body to protect them from the sun.

Sunglasses

As demonstrated in this picture, my son will only put on sunglasses if they are upside down and on for 10 seconds. So I can’t say I can personally attest to the perfect pair of sunglasses for babies. But I’ve heard good things about the Babiators. Shatter-resistant, 100 percent UV protection and they’ll replace them if you break them in the first year.

 
 

Hat

Bucket hats are not only adorable on babies, but with a wide brim and tie to make sure bébé doesn’t rip it off, they offer great protection from the sun.

full-body swimsuit

Is there anything more precious than a frilly pink swimsuit on a baby girl? Not really. But as cute as they are, nothing is more important than minimizing your infant’s exposure to the sun. These swimsuitscover their delicate skin and have built-in UPF 50+ protection.

stroller

Strollers typically have a built in shade canopy. But depending on your stroller, there may be additional accessories to cover the stroller or extend the canopy. For any parts of your baby not protected from the stroller canopy, you can throw a lightweight swaddling blanket on top.

sun tent

I hate traveling with extra products that I don’t think I’ll truly need. Probably because since I’ve had a bébé, I’ve had to pay the overweight baggage fee about 90 percent of the time. But one item I regret not buying when my son was a small baby was a sun tent. There are many lightweight, portable options available with built-in UV protection. It’ll give you greater piece of mind if you have a beach vacation planned.

uv window cover

If your vacation involves plenty of driving in a rental car, pack a portable window shade. It will take up minimal space in your suitcase and offer one more way to protect your little one from the sun.

sunscreen

 
If your bébé is 6+ months, putting on sunscreen is a no-brainer. But before six months brings some debate amongst parents and even doctors. Many say their skin is too fragile for sunscreen, so covering them and keeping them in shade is key. Some parents and even the American Academy of Pediatrics say a little is ok if adequate shade and clothing are not available. From personal experience, I can tell you I’ve done all of the above and did not use sunscreen until my son was six months old, and he never had an issue with the sun. We put beach vacations on hold though until he was old enough for sunscreen. Had I been in a situation where the only options were put on sunscreen or let him risk sunburn, I’d absolutely put sunscreen on him. However, I personally believe the decision is between a parent and their doctor. When you are in the market for sunscreen, California Babyis a favorite. It’s mineral-based, not chemical, so it sits on top of the skin and doesn’t absorb in.
 
Do you have any favorite sun protection tips?

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