Sun Safety for Babies: What the NHS Actually Recommends

Sun safety guidance for babies is more specific than "put some sunscreen on" — and for the youngest babies, sunscreen isn't actually the recommended starting point at all.

Babies under 6 months

The NHS recommends keeping babies under 6 months out of direct strong sunlight entirely, particularly between 11am and 3pm when UV is strongest. Shade, appropriate clothing and a hood or sun hat are the primary protection at this age — sunscreen is a backup, not the main strategy, and small amounts on exposed areas (face, hands) are fine if shade isn't fully possible, but it isn't a substitute for avoiding direct sun.

Babies and toddlers over 6 months

• Sunscreen: at least SPF 30 with good UVA protection (look for the UVA circle logo and star rating on UK products), reapplied regularly — especially after water play, sweating or towel-drying, since most sunscreens rub or wash off faster than the "once in the morning" assumption suggests.
• Clothing: loose, breathable, close-woven fabric covers more effectively than sunscreen alone. A wide-brimmed hat that shades the neck and ears (not just a baseball cap) is genuinely more protective than most parents assume.
• Sunglasses with UV protection are a good addition, though not essential — a hat brim covers most of the same function.
• Shade should still be the first choice during peak UV hours, with sunscreen and clothing as additional layers, not a replacement for it.

Heat and hydration

Babies overheat more easily than adults and can't regulate temperature as effectively, so watch for flushed cheeks, sweating, or unusual fussiness in hot weather. Offer breast or formula milk more frequently in hot weather for babies under 6 months (no extra water needed at this age unless specifically advised by a health professional); babies over 6 months who are weaning can have small amounts of cooled boiled water alongside milk feeds.

Car safety in hot weather

Never leave a baby alone in a car, even briefly, even with windows cracked — car interiors heat rapidly and disproportionately compared to outside temperature, and this remains one of the most serious, preventable hot-weather risks.

Signs of heat-related illness to watch for

Excessive sweating, pale or clammy skin, unusual sleepiness, or a temperature that feels hot to the touch alongside these signs warrants moving your baby somewhere cool immediately, offering fluids, and seeking medical advice if symptoms don't settle quickly or if your baby seems significantly unwell.