Baby sun protection tips for hiking, from a board-certified dermatologist.

Babies under 6 months: The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend avoiding direct sun exposure on your baby’s skin and using sunscreen only on small areas of exposed skin.

I recommend opting for as much clothing coverage as possible when hiking, such as onesies with full arm and leg coverage and a wide-brim hat.

For exposed areas, I apply sunscreen to my baby’s face, neck, and the backs of the hands or feet, making sure to reapply every two hours.

My favorite sunscreen for very young infants is Badger SPF 50 Adventure Sport Mineral Sunscreen in a tin. While it is not marketed specifically for babies, I love it for little ones because it contains only four ingredients, is easy to rub in, and is slightly moisturizing. Essentially, this sunscreen is very similar in composition to diaper paste, making it extremely safe.

This advice also applies to older infants. Although they are not as delicate as newborns, clothing is always a more reliable option for protecting skin than sunscreen alone. For all infants and toddlers, I prefer full-coverage sun-protective onesies, along with sunscreen on any exposed areas!

Written by Jenna Peart, MD
Board certified dermatologist