August 28, 2018

Choosing the right sun hat protection for your babies and children in Australia

By Verena Barthel
Choosing the right sun hat protection for your babies and children in Australia

With Spring just around the corner and the days starting to get longer, everyone feels that longing and excitement to spend more time outside again.

Especially for families with young kids, it means more time to spend outside, go to the beach, have a picnic, play dates at the local play ground or more time for family adventures.

With all the excitement also comes the need for parents to put some thought and energy into the right outfit that will keep their babies and kids safe, while playing in the sun.

Keeping the Australian strong sun conditions in mind, we would like to share some further facts and information worth considering when choosing the right babies and children sun hat to protect your family for the Australian Spring and Summer seasons. 

How to recognise the right protection

Like in sunscreen ointments the protective effect of clothing is given as UPF, which is the Ultraviolet Protection Factor. The UPF indicates how much longer, according to skin types, a person could stay out in full midday sun. 

Optimally, dermatologists recommend a minimum UPF of 30 for those with fair skin. For darker skin tones, a UPF of 20 combined with not staying out in the sun for too long would be fine.  As always though, it is best to seek an opinion from your family dermatologist as to the suitable level as all skin types vary. 

Textiles tested according to the Australian standard have only be checked whilst new and dry. Materials reaching an UPF of 40 according to this standard often only make it for an UPF of 5 when re-tested according to UV STANDARD 801, the strictest standard currently available.

Australia's safe UV protection for babies and children's sun hats 

Only the UV STANDARD 801 tests fabrics under real-life conditions: wet, stretched and after multiple care cycles. 

The lowest UPF measured is indicated on the “UV protect” label and guarantees the protection level under any conditions.

For further information check their website:  

http://www.uvstandard801.com/en/uv_standard_801/home.html

 With our selected range of babies and children's sun hats by German Eco label Pickapooh, we are aiming to provide the safest protection under the Australian sun. 

 

UV protection recommendations:

  •  First and foremost keep in mind: the most important UV protection is sensible handling of sun-bathing: Less is more!
  • Start slowly with short stays in the sun and remember the "from 11 to 3 under the tree" rule.

  • Age is another important factor as newborn skin is much thinner, more sensitive and will burn easier. Therefore, we recommend no direct sun for babies under the age of 1 year.

  • Toddlers can enjoy the sun but only with sufficiently high UV protection - textile protection is more appropriate at this age than just sun screen alone!
  • Make use of UV radiation forecast services http://www.bom.gov.au/uv/ - the higher UV index (UVI), the greater the risk of serious sunburn.

 

Know your skin type and act accordingly!

 

Dermatologist's recommend the right clothing as second most important protective measure besides staying out of the sun! 

  • To be protective, clothing needs to cover as much skin as possible and should fit loosely. 
  • A long-sleeved shirt and a wide-brimmed hat are far better than a T-shirt with a baseball cap!
  • Stretching and moisture may reduce any protective effect of fabrics dramatically.
  • Look for certified UV protective textiles - at best, certified according to UV standard 801 - as these fabrics add safety, reassurance and extra protection.

Wishing you all a safe and fun time outdoors!

Verena,

Elves in the Wardrobe