Why Do Babies Hate The Sun?

baby shielding its eyes from the sun

Most of us love the sun. We love having BBQ’s and drinking cocktails on a warm summer’s day near the swimming pool. But being out in the sun has health benefits too. It can reduce your stress levels and improve your mood by boosting your serotonin levels.

However for some babies, the sun is not a welcome friend.

Babies often find the sun makes them feel hot, uncomfortable and their way of letting you know is to cry until you help them resolve the situation. In this article, let’s take a look at why some babies hate the sun, how you can keep them out of it and how you can protect them from it.

Is it OK for babies to be in the sun? Is sunshine good for them?

You should try to keep babies out of the sun, at least for the first 6 months. Although sunshine is a good source of vitamin D, a baby’s skin is too sensitive to be exposed to direct sunlight. It contains too little melanin. However, if you are concerned your little one is not receiving enough Vitamin D you can always opt for some supplements.

Why do some babies hate the sun?

We all know babies are very good at letting you know when they’re not happy. A few seconds of loud crying will have any parent run to their aid without hesitation. If your child is hot because of the sun they will undoubtedly cry out for your help to help them feel cooler. Another reason why some babies don’t like the sun is that their skin is very sensitive. If they see something bright on their arm or leg which makes them feel hotter, you can see why it might disturb them. Their immature nervous system can cause a reaction to other things too, such as touching grass for the first time.

Why does my toddler hate the sun in his eyes?

Probably the most common reason why young children don’t like the sun is when it’s shining in their eyes. Even for us, it can be uncomfortable, so for babies any discomfort is often amplified many times! If this happens frequently when you’re in the car, consider buying a window shade to keep them out of the sun.

If you’re outside, consider purchasing some sunglasses for them so they feel more comfortable.

How do I keep my newborn out of the sun?

Just try to keep the in the shade as much as you can. You could place them under a tree, under an umbrella, in their pushchair. Encourage them to play the in the shade by providing some toys, so they get used to being out of the sun. When you’re walking around, ensure your stroller has a good sun canopy to protect their skin from exposure to the sun.

How do you protect babies eyes from the sun?

The best protection for their eyes is to try and keep your baby out of direct sunlight altogether. However, this isn’t always possible so make sure they wear a sun hat and some baby sunglasses.

Sun hat

Choose a sun hat which will keep your baby’s face in the shade, cover up their ears and neck. You want one which is UV proof too. Here are 2 options to consider:

Baby Brim Protection Hat

Baby Protection Royal

Sunglasses

For baby sunglasses, you want something that offers UV protection. You also might one which comes with a strap so they can stay on easier. Take a look at these options.

Babiators Polarized Sunglasses

Baby Banz Sunglasses

FAQs

Can babies get Vitamin D from sunlight?

Children under the age of 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight. Therefore, it’s best for babies to take a daily Vitamin D supplement, which can be given directly into their mouths with a dropper, or added to mummy’s nipple before they latch on.

When should a newborn be exposed to sunlight?

Once your baby reaches 6 months, a few minutes of exposure to sunlight should be ok, providing the UV levels are less than 3. If the sun is stronger than this, you should really keep your baby out of direct sunlight until they are around a year old.

Is sunlight bad for babies eyes?

UV radiation can damage the eyes, so for babies you should be extra careful. Keep them out of the sun during the middle of the day, and make sure they wear some sunglasses and a sun hat. Otherwise, repeated exposure can cause some serious long term eye problems.

What time of day is good for baby to be in the sun?

You should really keep your baby out of the sun completely for the first 6 months. After that, a few minutes of sun exposure is ok, but avoid times when the sun is at it’s strongest, between 10am and 4pm.

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