Can I put sunscreen on my newborn in summer?

For babies younger than 6 months, do not rely on sunscreen. Keep them out of direct sun and use shade, light clothing that covers the body, and a wide-brim hat. If shade and clothing are not available, you can apply a small amount of sunscreen to small areas such as the face. At 6 months and older, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 (up to 50) on exposed skin, along with shade and clothing.

How do I know if my baby is dehydrated in the heat?

Watch for fewer than six wet diapers in a day, a dry mouth, fewer tears when crying, a sunken soft spot, and less activity than usual. Sunken eyes, cool or discolored hands and feet, wrinkled skin, or urinating only once or twice a day are severe signs. Notify your pediatrician promptly if any of these appear; call right away for the severe signs.

Is it safe to leave my baby in the car for a quick errand?

No. A car can heat up 20°F in just 10 minutes, and a child's body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's. Cracking a window or parking in shade does little. Heatstroke can happen even when it is only 57°F outside. Never leave a baby in a car for any length of time, and check the back seat every time you park.

How much water can a baby drown in?

A baby can drown in as little as an inch or two of water, and it happens quickly and silently. Stay within arm's length with constant touch supervision during baths and any water time, and never leave a baby alone near a tub, bucket, or pool. Empty containers that hold water when not in use.

Should I give my baby water to prevent dehydration in summer?

For babies under 6 months, no. They get all their fluids from breast milk or formula, so offer feeds more often in heat rather than giving water. Giving extra water to a young infant can cause water intoxication and is harmful. After about 6 months, small amounts of water can be offered with meals, but milk or formula is still the main source of fluids. Ask your pediatrician if you are unsure.

Summer · Infant 0–12 mo

Summer Baby Care: Heat, Sun, and Water Safety

A baby cannot move out of the sun, cool off, or call for help. In summer, that is your job.

Babies under a year heat up faster than you do and show dehydration sooner. This guide covers the summer risks that matter most: sun and sunscreen, overheating and dehydration, hot cars, and water. The rules here are specific by age. Read the under-6-months section closely.

7 min read Summer Updated June 2026

Reviewed against current AAP and CDC guidance

Call 911 now

A baby left in a car, or any baby you find hot and unresponsive. A child's body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's. A car can heat up 20°F in 10 minutes. Organs begin shutting down at a body temperature of 104°F; 107°F is fatal. Get the baby out and cool them with cool water (not an ice bath) while help comes.
A baby submerged in water, limp, not breathing, or blue around the lips. Start CPR if you know it and a second person calls 911.
A baby with a temperature you cannot bring down, who is limp, will not wake, has hot or very pale skin, or is breathing fast or with difficulty after heat exposure.

Sunscreen under 6 months: the rule

For babies younger than 6 months, do not rely on sunscreen. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Use shade, light clothing that covers the body, and a hat. Sunscreen on small areas, like the face, is only for when shade and clothing are not available — a small amount, on small areas. Shade and clothing come first, not sunscreen.

Sun protection by age

Under 6 months

No routine sunscreen. Shade, covering clothing, and a wide-brim hat do the work.
Plan outings for early morning or late afternoon, and limit sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.
Sunscreen only on small exposed areas (like the face) when shade and clothing are not available, and only a small amount.
Skip insect repellent with DEET. AAP advises waiting until at least 2 years; oil of lemon eucalyptus and PMD are not for children under 3 years.

Shade plus clothing is the standard for this age. You are not missing a step by skipping sunscreen.

6 to 12 months

Sunscreen is now appropriate. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 (up to SPF 50); SPF 15 or 30 is fine for most.
Apply to all exposed areas, but be careful around the eyes.
Keep using shade, covering clothing, and a wide-brim hat — sunscreen adds to them, it does not replace them.
Reapply after the baby sweats or gets wet.

Even with sunscreen, shade and clothing stay your first line. The goal is less direct sun, not more product.

Dehydration: call your pediatrician

Fewer than six wet diapers in a day.
Parched, dry mouth.
Fewer tears when crying.
Sunken soft spot on the head.
Plays or moves less than usual; unusually sleepy or very fussy.
Severe signs — sunken eyes, cool or discolored hands and feet, wrinkled skin, urinating only one to two times in a day — need a call right away.

Keeping your baby cool and spotting overheating

Dress in one light layer. If you are comfortable in a t-shirt, your baby does not need more.
Stay in shade and indoors during the hottest part of the day. A fan helps below 90°F; above 90°F a fan can raise body temperature instead of lowering it.
Offer feeds more often in heat. Breastfed and formula-fed babies under 6 months get their fluids from milk — do not give water unless your pediatrician says to.
Watch for overheating: flushed or red skin, rapid breathing, restlessness or unusual fussiness, sweating, or unusual sleepiness.
Move an overheating baby to a cool place, remove extra clothing, and offer a feed. If they do not improve, are limp, or will not wake, treat it as an emergency.

Never leave a baby in a car

A car can heat up 20°F in just 10 minutes.
Cracking a window, parking in the shade, or using the air conditioner before you leave does little to change the inside temperature.
Heatstroke can happen when the outside temperature is as low as 57°F.
Always check the back seat before you walk away — every trip, no exceptions.
Keep cars locked at home so a baby or toddler cannot climb in unseen.

Water safety: an inch is enough

Stay within arm's length and give constant touch supervision at bath time and any water time.
Babies can drown in as little as an inch or two of water.
Never leave a baby alone in or near a bathtub, even for a moment to grab a towel or answer the door.
Empty buckets, wading pools, coolers with melted ice, pet water bowls, and anything that collects rainwater. Store them upside down.
Most in-home child drownings happen in bathtubs during a lapse in supervision. AAP advises children not bathe alone until at least 6 years old.

Quick answers

Can I put sunscreen on my newborn in summer?: For babies younger than 6 months, do not rely on sunscreen. Keep them out of direct sun and use shade, light clothing that covers the body, and a wide-brim hat. If shade and clothing are not available, you can apply a small amount of sunscreen to small areas such as the face. At 6 months and older, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 (up to 50) on exposed skin, along with shade and clothing.
How do I know if my baby is dehydrated in the heat?: Watch for fewer than six wet diapers in a day, a dry mouth, fewer tears when crying, a sunken soft spot, and less activity than usual. Sunken eyes, cool or discolored hands and feet, wrinkled skin, or urinating only once or twice a day are severe signs. Notify your pediatrician promptly if any of these appear; call right away for the severe signs.
Is it safe to leave my baby in the car for a quick errand?: No. A car can heat up 20°F in just 10 minutes, and a child's body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's. Cracking a window or parking in shade does little. Heatstroke can happen even when it is only 57°F outside. Never leave a baby in a car for any length of time, and check the back seat every time you park.
How much water can a baby drown in?: A baby can drown in as little as an inch or two of water, and it happens quickly and silently. Stay within arm's length with constant touch supervision during baths and any water time, and never leave a baby alone near a tub, bucket, or pool. Empty containers that hold water when not in use.
Should I give my baby water to prevent dehydration in summer?: For babies under 6 months, no. They get all their fluids from breast milk or formula, so offer feeds more often in heat rather than giving water. Giving extra water to a young infant can cause water intoxication and is harmful. After about 6 months, small amounts of water can be offered with meals, but milk or formula is still the main source of fluids. Ask your pediatrician if you are unsure.

Sources & further reading

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This guide reflects current AAP and CDC guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.