Here at Centennial Pediatrics, we often receive many questions about protecting children from the sun, including how to apply sunscreen. Here are some general sun safety tips and answers to common questions about sunscreen.

• Keep babies under six months of age out of direct sunlight by finding shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a stroller canopy.
• Put a hat with an all-around 3-inch brim on your child to shield his/her face, ears, and back of the neck.
• Have your child wear youth-sized sunglasses with 99% UV protection to protect the eyes from the intense sun.
• Try to limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest.
• Dress your child in cool, comfortable clothing that covers as much skin as possible. For additional protection, you can buy UV-protected long-sleeved shirts or other clothing.
• For babies, we recommend mineral sunscreen that includes titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead of chemical sunscreen for younger babies as it is less likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreen can also be used for older children on sensitive areas of the body, such as the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, and shoulders. 
• You can apply a minimal amount of broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with at least 30 SPF to infants OVER six months of age. For the first application, apply a small amount on the inside of your baby’s wrist and watch for signs of irritation. Call us if your infant develops a rash or other concerning symptoms after the sunscreen is applied. 
• Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
• Use plenty of sunscreen to cover ALL exposed areas. Apply it about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors and rub it in well. 
• Use sunscreen whenever you or your child spends time outdoors. You can get sunburned even on cloudy or cold days, as up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through the clouds.

If your baby is younger than one year old and gets sunburned, call us immediately or contact our triage service if we are closed. For older children, call us if there is extreme pain, fever, or blistering.

Remember, you are your child’s first and most important role model. By practicing sun safety for yourself, you’re protecting your health and teaching your child a valuable, life-long lesson. Contact us with any other questions about sunscreen application or sun safety. Have fun in the sun!

--Blog post written by Maggie Rietze, Centennial Pediatrics of Spokane Summer Intern Extraordinaire