If you were lucky enough to be free enough to enjoy the recent lunar eclipse, you may have gotten to see one of the truly mesmerizing natural events. These memorable events are a sight to behold, for sure, but there’s one aspect of them that often gets overlooked – if you’re taking your little ones with you, do you need to use sunscreen for babies while it’s happening?
One of the reasons why there’s such an eerie atmosphere when the moon aligns in front of the sun, is that the sky dims. During these cosmic displays, your baby’s skin still very much needs protection, so for more details, come with us now as we explain why.
Why Sunscreen for Babies Is Still Very Much Needed
So, if the sky goes dark, why is it that you still need to use sunscreen for babies on your little one? It’s vital to remember that UV rays are still in abundance, meaning that there’s still a lot of potential for sun damage. The relative darkness might give you a false sense of security that makes you think that sunscreen is unnecessary, but that’s simply not the case.
The temporary twilight that exists when the moon is obscuring the sun might feel safe for your skin, but when you fully understand what happens in an eclipse, you realise why it’s not.
The Umbra Shadow Only Reduces UV Rays
The darkness caused by the moon during an eclipse is referred to as the ‘Umbra’ and it would be true to say that there are fewer UV rays around during this phase. However, it doesn’t completely get rid of them – far from it. UV radiation has a nasty habit of penetrating not just cloud cover, but also atmospheric conditions – something parents need to be aware of.
Don’t forget also that the eclipse itself will only usually last a few minutes, meaning that for the rest of the time, your child will be fully exposed to the sun’s rays. Needless to say, you should ensure that they’re wearing kids sunscreen for every minute they’re outside in the sun, regardless of the eclipse.
Other eclipse tips to consider:
- Never, ever let your child look directly at the eclipse
- Use eclipse viewers or other devices available
- Make sure the sunscreen you use is at least SPF50
Use Sunscreen for Babies Whenever You Go Outside the Home
The old adage of never leaving home without sunscreen when there’s sunlight applies always – even when talking about a solar eclipse. It’s a truly amazing event and experience in anyone’s life, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook this important aspect of your family’s daily routine.
Just one sunburn during a child’s life can majorly increase the risk of cancer later in life, so you need to do whatever you can to ensure it doesn’t happen. Wherever you enjoyed the eclipse with your family, just make sure you do it in a sun-safe way.