There are certain baby care practices that some people consider unnecessary, but that have been used since ancient times as a beneficial way to maintain children’s health. Sunbathing for babies is one of them, but unfortunately not all parents are aware of its true necessity and end up not providing this care that nature itself offers. But after all, what is the purpose of sunbathing in babies?
When the baby is breastfed with breast milk, they receive vitamin D through the milk. This vitamin is responsible for providing better health for bones, teeth that are still developing, and skin1. But for this vitamin to be synthesized in the body and to activate its function, exposure to the sun at the right time is necessary. Obviously, you should not expose your baby to the sun for many hours, as the goal is not to “tan” the baby or cause sunburn. Just 5 minutes of direct sun exposure before 10 am or after 4 pm is enough for the vitamin to become active and work in the body.
Some parents are in the habit of sunbathing their babies indoors, through the window. This method is not recommended as the glass filters the sun’s rays, preventing the healthiest rays from reaching the baby. Exposure should be done directly, preferably with parts of the body exposed for better absorption. For sunbathing your baby, opt for light clothing that allows the sun’s rays to reach the body properly, or let them wear just a diaper if possible. When the temperature is higher and there are no strong air currents, you can leave your baby with no clothes for a few minutes without concern. On colder and windier days, you can sunbathe your baby fully dressed.
Another very important factor regarding sunbathing babies is that it helps to reduce bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is the substance that causes jaundice in babies, making their skin yellowish and in more serious cases requiring hospitalization to resolve the problem. With sunbathing, jaundice can be prevented and even reduced.
How to Sunbathe Your Baby?
As already mentioned above, there are proper times for sunbathing your baby. These are times when the sun does not pose a risk of skin burns, which are before 10 am and after 4 pm, when the sun’s rays are considered healthy. The exposure should last between 5 and 10 minutes, and the baby’s entire body should be exposed to the sun, except for the face and eyes, which are more sensitive and should be covered and well protected.
Sunbathing is recommended with the baby completely undressed, wearing only a diaper. However, if the weather is cooler, the procedure can be done with clothes2. Preferably with light, cotton clothes that allow healthy sun rays to reach the baby’s skin. If your baby cries when undressed and gets irritated during sunbathing, you can start with clothes on and after a few minutes, remove a piece of clothing, like their pants. Once they have gotten used to it, you can take off another item until the entire body is exposed to the sun’s rays. Sunbathing should be a daily routine for babies, and over time it will become enjoyable for them. Besides being pleasant, it greatly benefits health, strengthening bones, teeth, and the skin of the whole body.
Sunbathing is recommended for babies from birth, but before starting, consult your pediatrician about when to begin and what is the best period for your baby. Remember, before 6 months of age, sunscreen is not recommended as it can cause allergic reactions in your baby’s skin3.
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See also: Neonatal Jaundice – More Common Than You Think!
Photos: Erica Firment, Ikhlasul Amal
