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A practical guide on how to protect your children from the sun

Many Australian families have tubs of suncream sitting by the front or back doors of their homes because applying suncream in Australia is like brushing your teeth in the morning or putting on your seatbelt in a car.

• Apply lots of cream to your child at least 30 minutes before heading outside. Some suncreams work instantly while others can take 90 minutes to be effective - a child’s skin can easily burn in 15 minutes or less
• Ideally keep babies and toddlers up to the age of three out of the sun completely
• Get some clothes, hats and tents with an SPF factor and UV rating. – see our pages about Sun Holidays and Summer Clothes for Young Children and Babies
• Sunglasses are also very important. Kids’ eyes are three times more sensitive than adults are, so buy them some wraparounds with a UV400 stamp to stay cool in the sun. You can buy babybanz sunshades from The Kids Window
• Buy solar safe patches or wristbands for your child.

These are little patches or wristbands that you stick on your child. As you and the patch are exposed to more harmful Ultraviolet rays the patch changes colour - warning you when it is time to apply more sun block or to get out of the sun altogether.

• Consider buying a pop up tent sun protection shelter

The Family Cabana Protection Shelter is available from John Lewis. This pop-up half-tent provides a perfect shelter for the whole family on those lazy summer days. The UV protective tent fabric shelters you from wind and heat, with SPF50+ sun protection. Includes carry bag and pegs. Approximate weight: 3kg.

Learn more about the different types of UV Protective Clothes, and SPF 50 Sun Creams and Sprays available for young children and babies and

Read our sections about choosing various types of clothes for babies and toddlers and children.

To find out more about where you can buy baby, toddler and children’s clothes online then visit our Where To Buy Baby and Toddler Clothes section to find out which shops stock different brands and all you need to know about delivery timescales, postage and packaging, and returns policy.

If you want to know more about the different toddler and baby clothes brands that are available then have a look at our comprehensive Children and Baby Clothes Brand section.