Sunscreen tips for babies and young children

If you plan to be outside this weekend, here's how to protect your young child from the sun.

Babies younger than 1. A new baby's skin burns more easily, so try to avoid any sun exposure, especially direct exposure, until he is at least 6 months old. Keep his skin covered, even in the shade. It's OK to use sunscreen if you find yourself in a situation where you can't keep him out of the sun. (Check with your pediatrician about sunscreen, as well.) If your baby is less than 6 months old, apply the sunscreen to a small area of his back first to make sure there is no irritation, and then apply only to face and hands, And keep the rest of him covered up.

Children age 1 year and older. Young children should stay out of the sun as much as possible, but of course that gets harder to accomplish as they get older and more active and independent. When your child reaches one year, you can apply sunscreen 30 minutes before she goes outside and reapply it every two hours—more often if she goes swimming or is sweating. Be careful not to get sunscreen on the eyelids. As with babies, use a waterproof, broad spectrum sunscreen made for children with a SPF of at least 30. (See our latest sunscreen Ratings and recommendations.)

Don't rely on sunscreen alone. Kids should wear a hat with a 3-inch brim or a bill facing forward and a long-sleeved shirt and long pants made from tightly-woven cotton provide smart protection against the sun. Sand and concrete reflect the sun's rays, increasing the chances of a burn, and most rays make it through a cloud cover and they also travel through water, so an overcast day or staying in the pool doesn't provide protection. Limit your sun time, and seek shade during the hottest hours of the day.

How much to use. For full-body protection, adults should apply 2 to 3 tablespoons of lotion or cream (less for children) before going out in the sun. When it comes to sprays, there aren't any clear guidelines about how much to use. We recently checked the labels of the sunscreen sprays we tested and found that most simply recommended applying "evenly" and "generously" or "liberally." (Most also recommend using in well-ventilated areas.) Some say to rub the sunscreen into the skin, while others don't. All warn to keep the product out of the eyes and not to spray directly on the face. So read directions carefully.

Other tips:

• Don't spray or rub sunscreen on clothes. Most of the products stained fabrics when applied directly and left for a day.
• Don't use sunscreen after its expiration date because it might have lost its potency. If your sunscreen has no expiration date on the bottle when you buy it, mark one yourself with a permanent marker and throw out after two years.