We often hear pediatricians tell parents that they should take their children out in the sun more often to get calcium and help their bones develop, otherwise they are prone to rickets, especially in premature babies. So the question arises, should babies get more sun or more sun protection? We dermatologists have been emphasizing sun protection for adults, not to mention the delicate skin of small babies? Research data shows that a person’s UV damage before the age of 18 accounts for 80% of his or her lifetime, and a single blistering sunburn can double the risk of skin cancer later. So, how can you ensure that your child’s bones develop while at the same time not getting sunburned? How old can babies use sunscreen? I’m sure these are the questions that bother many parents. How much sunlight should my baby get every day? Ninety percent of the vitamin D needed by the human body depends on sunlight. This type of vitamin helps improve the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and promotes bone formation, which is why vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin. Studies have found that 1 square centimeter of skin exposed to sunlight for 3 hours can produce about 20 international units of vitamin D. Even if an infant is wrapped tightly in clothes, as long as the face is exposed, 1 hour of sunlight per day can produce 400 international units of vitamin D, which is close to all the daily vitamin D needs of a person. The length of each sun exposure depends on the age of the infant, and should be gradual, from ten minutes to 1~2 hours. Or 15~30 minutes each time, several times a day. You can also sunbathe for a while, and then go to the shade to rest for a while. And be careful to give your baby a wide brimmed hat to protect your eyes. How old can babies be with sunscreen Before August 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics did not recommend any sunscreen products for babies under 6 months of age, because such products had never been tested on such young babies. But after that, the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that the best way to protect a baby that age from sun damage was to keep him in the shade, under a sunshade, in a stroller, and to dress him in long-sleeved clothing and a hat. However, if these conditions are not possible, you can also apply a small amount of sunscreen on your baby’s face and hands. It is best to use products with 100% natural ingredients, or plant-derived ingredients, and never choose sunscreens that contain chemical and organic ingredients or vegetable oils. And be sure to buy sunscreen for children. It is best to choose a “physical” sunscreen, which is a sunscreen made from zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Whereas chemical sunscreens have ingredients that are absorbed into the skin, which can cause irritation or allergic reactions, physical sunscreens have ingredients that only stay on the surface of the skin, creating a barrier that blocks the sun’s rays. But a word of caution: infants under the age of half a year, because of their young age and tender skin, it is best not to use sunscreen. If you want to go out, the mother had better give the child to choose a better texture of cotton clothing, wear a sun hat or umbrella, to avoid direct sunlight on the skin, and try to avoid noon ten out. Like adults, the best time for children to go out in the summer is before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. The sun during this time can enhance the skin’s ability to adapt and also avoid strong sunlight and damage to the skin.