17th Feb 2015

Why Baby Sun Hats Are So Important For Your Infant

The Importance of Baby Sun Hats

There is no debate when it comes to providing the very best for your children, not least ensuring their health. But one of the most important aspects of good health is protecting them from the harshness of Australia’s sun. Thankfully, the solution is simple – a baby sun hat.

For all Australians, the risk of developing skin cancer is extremely real. We enjoy long periods of bright, hot sunshine and love being outdoors while a healthy, fun lifestyle is good; there can be consequences. Wearing protective clothing is, for this reason, important, and hats are an essential part of the overall protective attire.

At Stingray, we are proud to provide a selection of sun protection clothing specifically made for babies. Part of our selection includes baby sun hats, which are designed to provide the maximum protection from those damaging UV rays. But are they really that important? The short answer is yes!

Why Buy Baby Sun Hats?

Watching your baby play under the sun is a wonder sight, so the idea that the sun may harm your child seems unreal to you – and besides Vitamin D from sunlight is important. You may have already applied sunscreen, so it might seem that a baby sun hat is not necessary at all. But there are several reasons why using a hat is important, including:

1. Infants’ Skin is More at Risk – it’s not just a logical assumption, but a proven scientific fact that babies’ skin is more susceptible to UV rays than older children. In fact, studies have discovered that young children who suffer from sunburn are more likely to develop skin cancer later in life. This is because infants aged six months and younger have very little melanin in their skin, which means they have no natural protection at all.

It is recommended that babies be kept out of direct sunlight, with clothing that covers arms and legs completely, and a baby sun hat that shades the entire face, ears, and neck – wide-brimmed hats and legionnaire caps are ideal. Check out what SunSmart says about it.

2. Sunscreen Does Not Guarantee – babies aged between 6 and 12 months can wear sunscreen – sunscreen is not recommended for babies any younger. But sunscreen is not enough to keep your baby safe. Wearing protective clothing, such as a baby sun hat and sun protective suit, provides the best protection from damaging UV rays, while sunscreen can be applied to the areas left bare, like the hands and cheeks. Apply 30 minutes before going out, and every two hours afterwards. But keep the hat on!

3. A Practical Solution – buying a baby sun hat is one of the most practical options when protecting your baby from dangerous UV rays. It’s easy to carry around and unlike sunscreen, it is not affected by exertions of the sun – like sweating.

The Stingray Baby Selection

As the original Australian sun protection clothing company, Stingray has been providing comfortable and reliable solutions for overcoming the everyday threat that the sun poses to everyone. Part of our catalogue is dedicated to baby sun protection clothing, which includes baby sun hats.

For more information on our range and how it can protect against Australia’s harsh sun, check out Stingray.com.au.