Is Sunlight Good for Babies? Parents have many questions about caring for their newborn. One of these questions is, how long should a baby be exposed to sunlight? Is the gentle morning sun better, or should the baby be taken out in the sun for a short time during the afternoon? Renowned pediatrician Nimisha Arora shared a video on her Instagram handle addressing this. In this video, the doctor provides accurate information. Let's find out more.

What does the doctor say?
The pediatrician explains that most parents believe that exposing their baby to sunlight prevents jaundice, while some parents believe it's necessary for Vitamin D. However, both of these beliefs are incorrect.

According to Dr. Nimisha, in the old days, it was believed that babies should be exposed to sunlight every day. But today, medical science has clear guidelines that advise something completely different. According to the new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies under 6 months of age do not need sunlight and should not be exposed to direct sunlight at all.

According to the AAP, a newborn's skin is very delicate. Exposure to sunlight can easily cause sunburn. Strong sunlight can dehydrate the baby. Moreover, prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage the baby's skin and increase the risk of cancer later in life. Therefore, keep babies under 6 months of age away from direct sunlight as much as possible.

Keep these things in mind:

The report further states that if you have to go outside for any reason and it's difficult to avoid the sun, some safety measures are necessary. Such as:

Dress the baby in light, loose-fitting cotton clothes that cover the entire body.
Always keep the baby in the shade.
Use a wide-brimmed hat to cover the baby's face and neck.
In addition to all this, a sunscreen safe for babies can be applied to the face or hands.

How will the baby get Vitamin D then? Responding to this question, the doctor says that if a child has a vitamin D deficiency, the doctor can prescribe vitamin D drops according to the child's age. This method is safer and more effective than sun exposure.

Newborns are very delicate. Therefore, babies under 6 months old should not be exposed to direct sunlight, whether it's morning or afternoon sun. Take necessary precautions and always give vitamin D supplements only as recommended by a doctor.

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