Parents urged to avoid using sunscreen on babies

• Your question: My baby is only three months old and I'd love to enjoy some beach time with her, but I'm wondering about her being out in the sun at such a young age.
• The expert answers: Babies have very delicate skin, so they are especially vulnerable to the dangerous effects of the sun. Babies burn much more easily than adults, and sun damage done during childhood can affect skin health for a lifetime.
• Keep her out of direct sunlight, particularly when the sun's rays are the strongest, between 10 am and 4 pm. Sit under a tree, an umbrella or in the shade of a building, or put your baby in her stroller with the canopy over her head.
• Put a wide-brimmed hat on your little one whenever you're out in the sun.
• (Be careful not to put lotion around her eyes, and keep the lotion away from her hands, since they may end up in her mouth.)
• Sunscreen should have an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15 and should be waterproof if your baby is going to be getting wet.
• Alternatives to typical sunscreens include non-chemical varieties available in health food and body lotion stores, and zinc oxide (good for the face and shoulders).
• More sun facts Keep in mind that sand, water, concrete and snow all reflect the sun's rays, making them even more potent.
• If your baby is younger than six months old, call your pediatrician and describe the extent of the burn.
• Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin We get vitamin D from certain foods, such as milk, eggs, and fish.
• Breastfed babies receive small amounts of vitamin D from breastmilk, but it is in a form that is easily absorbed and used by your baby's body.