Keeping Baby Safe in the Sun

Before you head outdoors, let’s talk sun safety. It's important to keep babies under 6 months old out of direct sunlight and, after that age, try to avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm. Of course, it's not always that simple with errands to run and school pick-ups for older siblings, so a clip-on shade attached to your pram is the perfect way to protect your little one while on the move.

Staying hydrated also goes without saying. If you're breastfeeding, it's worth upping the number of feeds — did you know that breast milk is 80% water? If you’re formula feeding, simply supplement their liquid intake with cooled boiled water. According to the National Childbirth Trust, they’ll have at least six wet nappies every 24 hours if they’re well hydrated (yay for more changes), and wherever the destination, sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is a must for babies over 6 months old. Now for the clothing . . . 

Now, when it comes to sun-safe baby clothing, there's one abbreviation that you'll come across regularly when shopping our collection. UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor, indicates how much UVA and UVB light a fabric allows to reach the skin. For example, UPF50-certified clothing blocks 98 per cent of harmful rays, allowing just two per cent to permeate — the higher the number, the greater the protection it offers. With that said, there is still more to consider when dressing babies for the hot weather. Did you know that, whilst brilliant at reflecting light, white clothing only protects skin from up to five per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet light? We know, we were surprised too! Instead, opt for swimwear and beach cover-ups in bright colours, and the more saturated the colour, the more UV light they will absorb and therefore block. As if we needed another reason to love bright colours!

If it’s extra coverage that you’re after, your little swim stars will be cool and comfy in a long-sleeved rash guard or sun suit. These fun and functional styles from Liewood, Playshoes and Molo are ideal, and they come in a range of sizes for newborns, infants and toddlers. Last, but not least, a legionnaire hat is perfect for covering that often-forgotten spot at the back of the neck. Our Joyday set has it all, wrapped up in this playful abstract print.

Nothing says hot and bothered like head-to-toe synthetic fabrics. Natural fibres, on the other hand, are a baby’s best friend, whether they're crawling through the grass looking for bugs or enjoying a shady picnic-blanket nap. The loose construction of linen, bamboo and cotton means that the fabric is lightweight, breathable and allows air to circulate between the warps and wefts. Put simply, these fabrics don’t stick to skin, and they dry quickly. We'd call that a win-win for sunny style.

One designer that knows about this all too well is Stella McCartney Kids. The brand's collections are not only cute and colourful, but Stella's eco ethos runs deep, meaning you'll always find cotton that's organically produced and materials that have been repurposed. Combine these planet-loving threads with a shady parasol and you’ve got yourself a winning combination. And we’ll say it again, a hat is their sunny-day saviour.

Cities tend to be warmer than the suburbs or the rolling countryside, with the temperature rising as much as 15 per cent more in some central hotspots. Applying sunscreen before getting your little one dressed for the day makes it easier to get all those tricky spots without having to move clothing — the ears, tops of feet and places underneath the edge of sleeves, straps and necklines often get missed. Once they're covered head to toe, ear to ear and everywhere in between, add loose layers of brightly coloured clothing from the likes of Stella McCartney Kids and Mayoral. If they are toddling along beside the pram, a pair of breathable sandals like these from Bobux will turn their sunshine stroll into an adventure, with new discoveries around every corner. They’re approved by podiatrists and the Velcro straps mean they’re easy to kick off for a lunchtime stop in the park. And all that's left to do is soak up those sunny moments with your little one; they won't be little for long!