Your baby’s eyes are still developing and are more sensitive to UV damage than adult eyes. Under this premise, many parents decide to put sunglasses on their children. Also, your eyelids are still sensitive and vulnerable to painful sunburn.
Babies should start wearing sunglasses at 6 months. Before that, babies should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. During these crucial months, every time you take your baby outside, protect them from the sun with hats and don’t forget a cover for your stroller.
Once your baby is 6 months old, they can begin to enjoy direct sunlight, but only for limited periods and only if their head, skin, and eyes are adequately protected.
What glasses to choose?
When choosing a pair of sunglasses for a baby, it is recommended to look for the following:
- 100% protection against UVA rays (long-length rays) and UVB (short-length rays)
- lenses to impact test Made of durable polycarbonate that bends but doesn’t break
- Sunglasses enveloping that will stay on the baby’s head and won’t slip off
To prevent your baby’s sunglasses from slipping, it is advised to choose a wraparound style or purchase a plastic strap keep them in place. Some baby sunglasses are sold with a strap included. Something to keep in mind is also that, although the polarized lenses they reduce reflection from surfaces, they are not essential for a baby. This type of glasses can reduce glare and discomfort if we take a baby to the beach or to a snowy area. We will check that polarized lenses also provide 100% UV protection.
Risks of not wearing glasses
Babies and young children under the age of 10 have very sensitive eyes. Because their eyes are still developing, the lens of a baby’s eye cannot filter ultraviolet rays (UV) from the sun as well as adult eyes do. This means that more blue and harmful visible UV rays can enter their eyes, which can make babies more susceptible to UV rays. damaged retinas and other vision problems.
Unfortunately, you can’t reverse sun damage caused by UV exposure. Even short periods of sun exposure can cause damage, which can lead to a variety of eye diseases as you age, such as macular degeneration, faded colors, or cataracts. Sun damage can also cause skin cancer.
Also, a baby’s eyelids and the skin around their eyes is very delicate. Even if a baby closes his eyes to protect himself from the sun, his thin eyelids can burn. And since the skin is so transparent, some of the sunlight can still reach the retina. Babies need sunglasses to protect their delicate eyes and the skin around them.