Sun protection for babies: How to protect your infant from the sun's UV rays

Summer is magical for many of us. But the warm, sunny days also rhyme with UV rays, and when you have a small child, it is particularly important to think about sun protection for babies.

Here's an insight into how you can protect your little one from the sun's UV rays.

Should you use sunscreen on babies?

The Danish Health Authority recommends that infants who cannot crawl or walk should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Therefore, small babies do not need sunscreen. Not because they can tolerate the sun - but because they should not be in it at all.

Does that mean you have to stay indoors with your little one all summer?

No, fortunately not. But you should avoid the child lying or sitting in direct sun - whether you are at home or on a stroll with the pram.

The child's skin is particularly delicate to harsh rays. But it is also extra sensitive to cell division when exposed to the sun early in life.

The Danish Cancer Society writes:

"It is especially important to take good care of the family's youngest when the UV index is 3 or above. This is because cell division in the pigment cells of the epidermis is greatest early in life when the skin surface grows. UV radiation therefore has an easier time affecting the cells' genetic material.

The earlier children are exposed to harmful UV doses from the sun, the longer the damage also has to develop into melanoma later in life."

Textile as sun protection for young children

An effective form of sun protection – also for the very youngest – is special textiles with UV protection. This can be, for example, clothing, sun hats, and shades – but remember that the child's entire body and face must be shielded from the sun's rays for optimal coverage.

At Sleepbag, we have developed a UV-protective shade that you can attach to the play arches of your Sleepbag, creating a summery oasis. Here, the child is both in the shade and protected from the sun's rays with a protection factor of UPF 50+.

And let's take a closer look at what that actually means.

What does UPF mean?

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor – which indicates the degree to which the textile protects against the sun's UV rays.

For example, if it says UPF 50, it means that when the textile is exposed to 50 sun rays, only one penetrates the fabric. This corresponds to 2 percent – while the remaining 98 percent are blocked by the fabric. The higher the UPF value, the better the protection.

UPF 50 is considered high sun protection. With this, you ensure that your child is well protected against the harmful effects the sun's rays can have – both sunburn, sun damage, and skin and melanoma cancer later in life.

Is sun protection washed out of textiles?

The long-term durability of UPF depends on how the protective layer is integrated into the product.

In some products, the protective layer is applied over the fabric. The effect of the protective layer can therefore diminish after repeated washes. In other products, UV rays are kept out because the textile fibers are so tightly woven that the ultraviolet rays cannot penetrate.

We ensure long-lasting UPF durability in Sleepbag's UV product by combining the two techniques. Our UV cover is therefore both finely woven and treated with a protective UV layer.

This means that when the UV cover is new, it practically repels what corresponds to UPF 90. This way, we are sure that our product protects with at least UPF 50 – even after long use and repeated washes.

Protect baby from the sun with a UV cover

We hope you feel better informed about how to easily create optimal sun protection for your baby, so you can enjoy the summer together with peace of mind.

You can read more about the Sleepbag UV cover for your Sleepbag baby sleeping bag and activity blanket here.