Treating Sunburn in Babies and Toddlers
The short answer
If your baby gets a sunburn, immediately move them out of the sun and apply cool (not cold) compresses to the affected area. For mild sunburn, apply fragrance-free moisturizer or pure aloe vera gel. Give extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid numbing sprays or products with benzocaine. Any sunburn in a baby under 6 months, or a sunburn with blisters, fever, or covering a large area in any child, requires a call to your pediatrician.
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By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight entirely, as their skin is extremely sensitive and sunscreen is not recommended for this age. If your baby under 6 months gets sunburned, contact your pediatrician immediately, as even a mild sunburn is considered significant at this age. Use shade, hats, and sun-protective clothing as prevention. Cool compresses with a clean cloth can provide relief while you contact your doctor. Keep your baby well-hydrated with extra breast milk or formula.
6-12 months
Babies over 6 months can use sunscreen (SPF 30+, broad-spectrum) on exposed areas. If sunburn occurs, apply cool compresses for 10-15 minutes several times a day. Apply pure aloe vera gel or fragrance-free moisturizing lotion to the burn. Avoid products with benzocaine, lidocaine, or alcohol, which can irritate baby skin. Dress your baby in loose, soft clothing over the burned area. Give extra breast milk, formula, or water to maintain hydration. Keep your baby out of the sun until the burn heals completely.
12-36 months
Treat toddler sunburns with cool baths (not cold), cool compresses, and fragrance-free moisturizer or aloe vera. Children's ibuprofen can help with pain and inflammation if approved by your pediatrician. Peeling skin is a normal part of healing - do not pick or peel it. If blisters form, do not pop them; cover loosely and let them heal naturally. Remind caregivers and family about sun protection: SPF 30+ reapplied every 2 hours, sun-protective clothing, and shade during peak UV hours (10 AM - 4 PM).
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Mild pinkness that fades within a day or two with cool compresses and moisturizer.
- Your baby is comfortable, eating normally, and the redness is not spreading.
- Mild peeling occurs a few days after the burn and the skin underneath looks healthy.
- Your baby has a sunburn that is red and painful but without blisters.
- The sunburn covers a large area of the body.
- Your baby seems uncomfortable and you need guidance on safe pain relief.
- Any sunburn in a baby under 6 months of age.
- Sunburn with blisters, severe swelling, or covering more than a small area.
- Your baby develops fever, chills, nausea, headache, or confusion after sun exposure - signs of heat illness or severe sunburn.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Skin Concerns
Sun Exposure and Sunburn in Babies Under 6 Months
Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight because their skin is extremely thin and sensitive, making them highly susceptible to sunburn. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months. Instead, protect your baby with shade, lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs, and a wide-brimmed hat. If your baby under 6 months gets any degree of sunburn, contact your pediatrician, as it is considered a medical concern at this age.
Baby Swimming and Pool Safety by Age
Babies can be introduced to water as early as 1-2 months in a warm, clean pool under close supervision, though the AAP recommends formal swim lessons starting at age 1. The water should be at least 84F (29C) for young babies. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, making water safety critical. No child should ever be in or near water without direct, arms-reach adult supervision. Infant "survival swim" programs are not a substitute for active supervision.
Baby Rash from New Laundry Detergent
Rashes from laundry detergent are a form of contact dermatitis and appear as red, itchy patches where clothing touches the skin. Baby skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin, making it more prone to irritation from fragrances, dyes, and chemicals in detergents. Switching to a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent and rewashing affected clothing usually resolves the rash within a few days.
My Baby Has an Extra Nipple (Accessory Nipple)
Accessory (supernumerary) nipples are one of the most common minor congenital findings, occurring in about 1 in 18 people. They appear as small, flat, often pigmented bumps along the "milk line" — an embryonic line running from the armpit to the groin on each side. Most people mistake them for moles. Accessory nipples are almost always harmless and require no treatment. In rare cases, they may be associated with kidney abnormalities, so some pediatricians recommend a renal ultrasound if one is found, though this practice varies.
My Baby Was Born with a Raw Spot on Their Scalp (Aplasia Cutis)
Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a condition where a baby is born with a small area of missing skin, most commonly on the scalp. It occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births. The affected area may look like a raw wound, an ulcer, or may have already healed into a thin, shiny scar by the time of birth. Most cases are small, isolated, and heal well with basic wound care — the area eventually forms a hairless scar. Larger defects or those associated with other findings may need more investigation, but isolated small ACC has an excellent prognosis.
New Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in Children
Treatment for atopic dermatitis in children has advanced significantly in recent years. While moisturizers and topical steroids remain first-line treatments, newer options include non-steroidal topical medications (like crisaborole), biologic therapies (like dupilumab, approved for children 6 months and older), and JAK inhibitors. Most children's eczema is well-managed with basic skin care and mild topical treatments, but these newer options provide hope for moderate-to-severe cases.