With the colder weather now fully upon us, it's so easy to forget that in our part of the world, proper sun protection for you and your baby is still a must during winter. It happens to all of us - when the sun is out on a bright winter day, all we want to do is get out there, soak up some of those warming sunshine rays and forget about the boring daily sun care routine.
A winter sun is less intense than a summer sun, because the Earth's axis is tilted so UV rays have further to travel through the atmosphere and are much weaker by the time they reach us. This means the sun appears smaller and less powerful and you're less likely to actually burn if you're outdoors in the sun.
But a lower level of UV rays still come through even on the cloudiest of winter days, particularly as the ozone layer above Australia has been so depleted.
Think of your baby's UV exposure like a tap filling a bucket with water, When the UV is high during summer, the tap is on full and the bucket fills quickly. When the UV is low during winter, the tap drips water and the bucket fills more slowly. But it is still filling…
The fact that it takes us a much longer time to burn during winter disguises the drip-drip-drip effect of all little bits of damage through UV exposure to young skin which all add up and can lead to health effects later on down the line.
Your baby needs protection from the sun even during Winter, no matter how cold it is the sun's UV rays are still strong.
Shade. Use a properly tested, breathable UPF50+ sun shade such as our musluv baby sun covers to cover your pram (don't forget that a winter sun hangs lower in the sky and more directly into a tilted pram) or on-body baby carrier. Ordinary muslins are no good here for blocking UV!
Musluv sun covers are designed and made for the Australian sun. UPF 50+ protection, lab tested for airflow and breathability, non-toxic and lightweight.
Our day time sun covers let through some light and are perfect for every day use
Our sleep time sun covers block all light, but remain fully breathable and are perfect for out and about naps
Slip in a a few extra layers in your baby bag to slip them on and cover up against UV and cold breezes.
Keep some extra layers packed in your day bag
Slap on a wide brimmed bucket or legionnaire hat. They are great for protecting delicate necks and faces.
Slop on a specially formulated baby sunscreen, which is a great addition to your sun care kit, once your baby hits 6 months old.
Slide on a pair of good quality baby sunglasses with a strap. This will help keep your baby protected against the uncomfortable glare from a low hanging winter sun shining directly into their eyes.
As winter fully sets in, it's important to remember that adequate sun protection for you and your little one remains necessary. Despite the sun's intensity being lesser in winter due to the Earth's tilted axis, damaging UV rays persist even on overcast days, especially considering the depleted ozone layer above Australia. This "drip" effect of UV exposure can lead to health issues later on, particularly for young skin.
To safeguard your baby during winter, implement the same sun care routine as in summer, guided by the "5S" rule:
Shade: Using a UPF50+ sun shade like musluv baby sun covers for your pram or baby carrier provides effective UV protection.
Slip: Pack extra layers in your baby bag to combat both UV rays and the cold.
Slap: Invest in wide-brimmed hats to shield sensitive necks and faces.
Slop: Once your baby is over six months old, a specialised baby sunscreen becomes a vital component of your sun care kit.
Slide: Shield your baby's eyes from the low-hanging winter sun with a quality pair of baby sunglasses.
Remember, despite the chilly season, your baby's sun care routine should never take a break. Ensure your little one's safety throughout the year – add these must-have items to your baby bag today!
